The Joys of a ‘Holiday Run’

Don’t let the cold and the dark get you down!  One way to keep running outdoors and also enjoy the season is to go for your own, special ‘holiday’ run!  At this time of year, commercial districts have beautiful window and light displays. Houses are festive with lights and holiday displays on their lawns. There are ‘jingle bell’ runs and other holiday-themed running events. And if you live in a cold weather location, a fresh snow always adds to the holiday atmosphere. 

Great Runs Lists of Special ‘Holiday’ Runs

In order to make it easier to find a festive holiday run, Great Runs has compiled two special lists of ‘Holiday’ Runs. For North America, there are 50+ suggested routes in top cities. This is a combination of beautiful light displays, festive shopping areas, and done-up neighborhoods. Note, we don’t include driving-centric displays or those that that require hefty admission.

Cities in Europe really do it up during the holidays. Many people travel to select European locations for their gorgeous light displays and extensive holiday markets. So we also came up with some suggested runs in top European cities to celebrate the holidays. The list of the best holiday runs in Europe is a combination of beautiful light displays, popular ‘Christmas Markets’, and cities that are especially festive this time of year. While the list might tilt toward wintry, northern spots, you’ll find some special surprises in warmer weather cities, too. 

How To Find Your Own Holiday Run

Here are some suggestions to find a festive holiday run in your area. 

Go Window Shopping. It’s always fun to run through a commercial/retail area at this time of year. Could be a downtown, a pedestrianized area, or a ‘main street’. It’s always fun to run by stores with window displays during the day, or when they’re all lit up at night. 

Beautiful Residential Neighborhoods. At this time of year when houses are ‘done up’ for the holidays, certain residential neighborhoods and historic areas are particularly special. On the Great Runs website, search for the ‘Gorgeous Residential‘ route feature. There are 400+ suggestions here, in a list organized in alphabetical order, by region. Under ‘Categories’, click on ‘Fantastic Neighborhoods‘ to see route suggestions for 300+ runs in beautiful neighborhoods — many of them historic. These neighborhoods can be particularly special during the holiday season.

If running in a residential neighborhood at night, be sure to run on the sidewalk or opposite traffic. Our suggested routes are generally safe for running, as they’re on roads with sidewalks or quieter areas. 

If it snows, GO!!  A fresh snow adds to the magic during the holidays. If you’re seeking out a snowy location, see the Great Runs Winter Running Hub, where there are articles on Best Winter Running Cities and lists of favorite winter running routes in the United States, Canada, Europe, & Asia. 

Find a Holiday Running Event

Many cities have ‘jingle bell’ runs or other holiday-themed road races at this time of year. The Santa Hustle Race Series features races in 11 cities this December, plus a virtual option. The Skechers Hot Chocolate Run, billed as ‘America’s Sweetest Run’, is held in 17 cities in the United States. Several of these events are in December.