Houston’s Holiday Fun Runs & Races

Run, run, Rudolph – whether or not you’re going for the best dressed costume while jogging through the streets, check out Houston area fun runs below. In true #ReliantLightsYourHolidays fashion, maximize the fun with flashing Christmas light necklaces and shoelace jingle bells!

Races are listed in date order and include distances and general locations. There are so many fun opportunities throughout the greater Houston area, from family walks to virtual races, half marathons, and beyond. Click a race name to navigate directly to its race page.

November Holiday Fun Runs, Walks & Races in Houston

Turkey Trails

{November 23 | 10K, 5K, Kids, Virtual |Sugar Land}

Turkey Trails is Thanksgiving-themed event for the whole family at Cullen Park. Race swag includes a designer shirt & custom medal. Stick around at the finish line for live results and awards, free photos, and delicious treats.

The Great Houston Pie Run

{November 22 | Half, 10K, 5K, Kids, Virtua}

Held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the Great Houston Pie Run has a timed race with awards, beer, and yes – pie!​ Presented by Houston Running Co., this race is part of the holiday running series.

Houston Turkey Dash

{November 27 | Half, 10K, 5K, 1 Mi, Kids}

The Houston Turkey Dash invites runners, hand cyclists, and families to Delmar Stadium on Thanksgiving morning. Participants receive a shirt and medal, and awards are presented to winners of the chip-timed races.

Houston Methodist Turkey Trot

{November 27 | 10K, 5K, Kids, Virtual | Galleria/Uptown}

The Houston Methodist Turkey Trot has been a Thanksgiving morning tradition for over 30 years. Experienced and beginning runners, families, and friends can participate in one of the many races, including a 10K Run/Walk, 5K Run/Walk, Virtual, and a Kids Run for ages 12 and under.

Addi’s Faith Turkey Day 5k & Kids Wishbone 1K

{November 27 | 5K, Kids | Kingwood}

Takes place in Kingwood Town Center Park. By participating in the race, runners are helping a community of pediatric cancer patients, and their families, enjoy the holidays a little bit more.

Lake Jackson Turkey Trot

{November 27 | 10K, 5K, Kids}

The 13th Annual Lake Jackson Turkey Trot, held on Thanksgiving morning, benefits the Lake Jackson Intermediate and Rasco Middle School Bands.

Pearland Turkey Trot

{November 27 | 6 Mi, 4 Mi, 1 Mi, Kids}

Celebrate Thanksgiving morning with your closest friends and family at the Pearland Turkey Trot. Choose from the 6-mile, 4-mile, 1-mile or Kids K.

Sugarland Turkey Trot

{November 27 | 5 Mi, 2.8 Mi, Kids}

The 40th annual Sugar Land Turkey Trot will be held in the beautiful Sugar Creek neighborhood. This race is a tribute to Coach Andy Stewart, who started the first Houston-area Turkey Trot in 1986. Choose from a 1-mile kids run, a 5-mile timed race and a 2.8-mile family walk or jog.

YMCA Run Thru the Woods

{November 27 | 5 Mi, 3 Mi, Kids | The Woodlands}

The YMCA Run Thru the Woods has supported non-profits local to The Woodlands, Spring and Oak Ridge communities for 36 years. Historically, more than $3.5 million dollars has been raised. Turkey costumes are encouraged but not required!

YMCA Turkey Dash

{November 27 | 10K, 5K, Kids | Katy}

Katy YMCA’s 23rd Annual Turkey Dash offers Adult, Family, and Kids events, including a 1-Mile Family Walk/Run, 1-Mile Kids (age 3-12) Run, 5K Timed Walk/Run, and 10K Timed Run. All proceeds from the race benefit the Katy YMCA community.

December Holiday Fun Runs, Walks & Races in Houston

Gingerbread Lane 5K & 10k

{December 6 | 10K, 5K, 1 Mi, Kids, Virtual | South Beltway}

The Gingerbread Lane 5K & 10K holiday race is a festive event amid the beautiful Texas parks and greenbelts. Enjoy holiday music, gingerbread treats, and a costume contest following the races.

A Charlie Brown Christmas 5K/10K

{December 6 | 10K, 5K, Kids | Energy Corridor}

A Charlie Brown Christmas 5K/10K returns for its third year and kicks off at 8:00 am at Addicks Park and Ride. All participants will receive an officially licensed Peanuts® finisher medal, participant bib, and performance tech t-shirt. Santa will make an appearance at the post-race party! Bring a toy to donate to the Memorial Ministries “Christmas Share” program for Houston families.

Run Houston! Sugar Land Santa 5K & 10K

{December 6 | 10K, 5K, Kids, Virtual}

Sugar Land Santa 5K & 10K is part of the Run Houston! Fall Haul Series. Runners have two race shirt options to choose from, and receive a finisher medal, delicious cookie, candy cane, and more at the finish line. Proceeds benefit Fort Bend Habitat for Humanity.

SnowFest Shuffle Fun Run

{December 6 | 1 Mi | Missouri City}

If you are looking for snow in South Texas in December, look no further than Missouri City’s SnowFest. Runners of all levels and ages are invited to participate in the SnowFest Shuffle, a one-mile loop at the Missouri City Rec & Tennis Center. 

Tavola Reindeer Run

{December 6 | 5K, 1K | New Caney}

Tavola Reindeer Run offers a chip-timed 5K race and a 1K family fun run through the beautiful Tavola community. Race participants receive a race t-shirt and finisher medal. There are cash prizes and awards for overall, age group categories, and most festive costume. Everyone can enjoy the After Party activities, including Santa pictures, hot beverages, sweet treats, face painting, a rock wall, bounce house, and more.

Run for the House

{December 6 | 10K, 5K | First race 8:00 am | Central Houston – Downtown}

Run for the House is a family race along Allen Parkway. Competitive runners, fun runners and walkers, families with children, and dogs are all welcome! Registered participants receive a finisher medal, event t-shirt, and other swag. 100% of race proceeds benefit the children and families of Ronald McDonald House Houston. 

Brazos Bend 100 Trail Run

{December 6-7 | 100 Mi, 100K, Marathon, Half, Kids | Fort Bend County}

The Brazos Bend 100 Trail Run is a fast, flat course through Brazos Bend State Park. The race distances and the abundance of wildlife, especially the gators, make this a truly unforgettable December experience for those up to the challenge.

Conroe 10 Miler

{December 7 | 10 Mi, 5 Mi, 5K, Virtual}

The 13th Annual Conroe 10 Miler – 5 Miler – 5K is a nice run through northern Montgomery County. All race finishers will receive an event shirt and custom finishers medal.

Santa Dash Fun Run

{December 7 | 10K, 5K, Kids, Virtual | Pearland}

The Santa Dash Fun Run has been B.I.G. Love‘s largest annual fundraiser since 2008. Proceeds from the event support over 100,000 cancer kids and their families across the state of Texas. All are welcome! Come enjoy photos with Santa and fun Christmas activities before, during, and after the races at Pearland Town Center.

Big Love Santa Dash Fun Run

{December 7 | 1 Mi, 5k, 10k, Virtual | Pearland}

Since 2008, B.I.G. Love’s largest annual fundraiser has been its Fun Run/Walk that supports over 100,000 cancer kids and their families across the state of Texas. All are welcome! Come enjoy photos with Santa and fun Christmas activities. Can’t make it to Pearland? Join them virtually!

Rudolph Fun Run at CityCentre

{December 13 | 10K, 5K, 1K, Virtual | Memorial}

The 15th Annual Rudolph 5k Fun Run, Dasher 10k and Cupid 1k start at CITYCENTRE and wind through area neighborhoods. All ages and runner speeds, walkers, joggers, strollers and all those wanting to have fun are welcome. The best Christmas costume will win a gift card. Enjoy pictures with Santa and special treats after the race.

Kingwood Christmas Cookie Dash

{December 13 | 10K, 5K, Relay, Kids, Virtual | Kingwood}

Rad Racing Company presents the 2nd Annual Kingwood Christmas Cookie Dash. This event is part of the Kingwood Christmas in the Park Festival. Register the whole family, take pictures with Santa, and enjoy Dirty Dough cookies with milk. The event benefits Lily’s Toy Box, Toys for Tots, and Angel Tree Houston.

Houston’s 12K of Christmas

{December 20 | 12K, 6K, Kids, Virtual | Central Houston – Downtown} 

The 13th Annual Houston’s 12K of Christmas continues spreading holiday cheer through running. The whole family can enjoy the race and spotting St. Nick and his elves!

Santa Hustle – Kid’s Dash, 5K, 1/2 Marathon

{December 21 | Half, 5K, Kids | Galveston, TX}

Resolution Run Houston

{December 28 | 12 Mi, 10K, 5K, 1 Mi, Virtual | Central Houston – Downtown} 

The Resolution Run Houston takes place right before the New Year at Fish Plaza downtown. With both a mass start and flexible start times for runners and walkers alike, Houston Resolution Run is a great tradition for the whole family.

January Holiday Fun Runs, Walks & Races in Houston

Run Houston! Sam Houston Race Park 5K & 10K

{January 3 | 10K, 5K, Kids, Virtual | Northwest} 

The first race in the 2025 Run Houston! Race Series is at Sam Houston Race Park. With a 5K, 10K and Kids 1K, there is an event for everyone in the family to actively begin their new year. 

Bigfoot Classic Houston

{January 3 | 15K, 10K, 5K, 1 Mi, Kids, Virtual | Sugar Land}

The Bigfoot Classic Houston is a chip-timed race in Brazos River Park. The course itself will be high-energy, complete with a DJ, the Bigfoot hype crew, and participant shout-outs. Distances range from the thrilling 1 mile to 15K.