Houston’s Holiday Fun Runs & Races

While this guide is sponsored by Reliant, all of our thoughts are proudly our own. We are proud to partner with Houston-based Reliant on all of their initiatives.
The Ultimate Guide to holiday fun runs and walks

Run, run, Rudolph – whether you want to run through light exhibits rather than drive, or you’re going for best dressed costume while jogging through the streets, check out Houston-area fun runs below.

We’ve broken down our list by date and included a general Houston location so it’s easy to find races close to home.

November Holiday Fun Runs, Walks & Races in Houston

The Great Houston Pie Run 

{November 18th | Start time at 7:30am | Central Houston – Timbergrove}

Don’t want to get up early on Thanksgiving Day? The Great Houston Pie Run 5K,10K, and Kids 1K is for you! Enjoy beer, pie, a timed race, and best of all – no guilt for sleeping in on Thanksgiving Day!​

Turkey Trails 5K, 10K, KidsK

{November 19th | Start time at 9:00 am | Sugar Land}

Join the annual Turkey Trails 5k/10k/KidsK! A fun, Thanksgiving-themed event that is perfect for the whole family. The fun includes: designer shirt & custom medal, chip-timing with live results and awards, free photos, and delicious treats waiting at the finish line. Can’t make the race? No problem, virtual race options are available.

YMCA Run Thru The Woods

{November 23rd | Start time at 7:30 am | The Woodlands}

A local Thanksgiving morning tradition, the 1 mile, 3 mile, or 5 mile YMCA Run Thru the Woods has supported local non-profits with the goal of strengthening The Woodlands, Spring and Oak Ridge communities for 34 years. The event brings thousands of community members together for entertainment and run/walks designed for all ages. Over the years, more than $3 million dollars has been raised.

L3 Turkey Day 5k & Kids Wishbone 1K

{November 23rd | Start time at 8:00 am | Kingwood}

Join the 9th Annual Thanksgiving morning L3 Turkey Day 5k & Kids Wishbone 1K and celebrate a community in support of finding a cure for pediatric cancer! Help lighten local cancer families’ load a little during this holiday season.

Pearland Turkey Trot

{November 23rd | Start time at 7:30 am | Pearland}

What better way to give thanks and celebrate this Thanksgiving, than a morning with your closest friends and family! Run, Eat and Give Thanks! The Pearland Turkey Trot is a Turkey Day favorite! Choose from the 6-mile, 4-mile, 1-mile or Kids K.

Sugarland Turkey Trot

{November 23rd | Sugarland}

For the 38th year, the Sugar Land Turkey Trot, presented by Fort Bend Kia, will be held in the beautiful Sugar Creek neighborhood. This race is an important tribute to Coach Andy Stewart from his family and closest friends. Andy started this race in 1986 and it was the original Turkey Trot for the Houston-area. Chose from a 1-mile kids run, a 5-mile timed race and a 2.8-mile family walk or jog.

Lake Jackson Turkey Trot

{November 23rd | Start time at 7:45 am | Sugarland}

The Lake Jackson Turkey Trot is a 5K/10K run/walk held on Thanksgiving morning to benefit the Lake Jackson Intermediate and Rasco Middle School Bands.

December Holiday Fun Runs, Walks & Races in Houston

Trafigura Run for the House 

{December 2nd | First race starts at 8am | Central Houston – Downtown}

This fun family event is a USATF-certified 10K and 5K run/walk/roll. Competitive runners, fun runners and walkers, families with children, and dogs are all welcome! All registered participants will receive a finisher medal, event t-shirt, and other great swag. The best part is 100% of the proceeds benefit the children and families of Ronald McDonald House Houston. In addition, up to $150,000 will be generously matched by the Trafigura Foundation!

Brazos Bend 100 Trail Run 

{December 2nd-3rd | First race starts at 8am | Fort Bend County}

Choose from a 1/2, Full, 100K or 100M The Brazos Bend 100 Miler is the FASTEST trail in the nation with its mostly flat course and easy aid stations. The wildlife is abundant in Brazos Bend State Park, but it’s overshadowed in general interest by the American alligator. Birds of 290 species have been sighted in and around the park. The diverse habitat is a haven for migratory waterfowl, a variety of shorebirds, wading birds, songbirds and raptors.

Snowfest Shuffle Fun Run 

{December 2nd | Start time at 8:00am | Missouri City}

Runners of all levels and ages are invited to participate in this year’s Snowfest Shuffle! The fun run will feature a one-mile loop, beginning and ending at the Missouri City Rec & Tennis Center. Free T-shirts will be given to runners who register by November 21.

Run Houston! Sugar Land Santa 5K & 10K 

{December 2nd| First race starts at 8:30am | Sugar Land}

Get in the holiday spirit by taking on the final event in the Run Houston! series. The race begins at Constellation Field, home of the Sugar Land Skeeters! It’s truly a family event, with distances of 10K, 5K, and a Kids 1K, as well as a virtual option. Participants can choose from a classic race shirt or a santa jacket version!

Candy Cane Fun Run 

{December 2nd | Start time at 9am | Cypress}

Run this 3.1 mile race to support local schools – Ault Elementary, Keith Elementary, Swenke Elementary, and Salyards Middle School – at the 12th Annual Candy Cane Fun Run. This community event is a festive, fun-filled fundraiser aimed at enhancing the quality of education for Cy-Fair ISD students. Get your running shoes on and help make a difference!

A Charlie Brown Christmas 5K, 10K, 1K 

{December 2nd | First race starts at 8:00am | Energy Coridor}

Kick-start your holiday festivities and grab the whole family and join us for the in the 2nd Annual ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas 5K/10K’! The Snoopy Kids Dash kicks off the event at 8:00am followed by the 10K at 8:15am and the 5K at 8:20am at the Addicks Park and Ride right off of I-10 in the Energy Corridor District. All participants will receive a festive top-notch, Officially Licensed Peanuts® finisher medal, participant bib, and performance tech t-shirt.

Rudolph Fun Run at CityCentre

{December 9th | First race starts at 7:40am | City Centre}

Join your fellow runners for the 13th Annual Rudolph 5k Fun Run, Dasher 10k and Cupid 1k. The race starts at CITYCENTRE and whines through area neighborhoods while runners enjoy the Christmas Decorations. All ages and runner speeds, walkers, joggers, strollers and all those wanting to have fun are welcome.

Jingle Bell Run

{December 9th | First race starts at 8:00 am | Southwest Houston}

Be part of the original festive race for charity and signature Arthritis Foundation holiday event! Wear your favorite holiday attire and jingle all the way to a cure! Register as an individual or bring a team of friends. Together, we’re raising funds to support research for ARTHRITIS TREATMENTS & A CURE — plus life-changing ARTHRITIS RESOURCES & LOCAL PROGRAMS.

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

{December 17th | First race starts at 7:30am | Galveston, TX}

Come join the Santa Hustle® magic on Sunday, December 17, 2023 at Beach Central for the Santa Hustle Galveston Half Marathon, 5K & Kids Dash!
Santa is jingling in his boots with excitement as he brings each participant a Full-zip Unisex Comfy Green hoodie, Santa Hustle Embroidered Fleece Headband, and Finisher Medal that will help you jingle all the way. And don’t forget the candy and cookie stations along the course!

Houston’s 12k of Christmas 

{December 21st | First race starts at 7:30am | Central Houston – Downtown} 

2023 represents the 10th year of spreading holiday cheer through Houston’s 12k of Christmas! It’s a Christmas-themed Houston 12K & 6K and Kids K run that the whole family can enjoy and includes appearances by jolly old St. Nick and his elves!

Resolution Run Houston 

{December 31 | First race starts at 7:30am | Central Houston – Downtown/Buffalo Bayou} 

Join us on New Year’s Eve at Fish Plaza in downtown Houston! With flexible start times for runners and walkers alike, Houston Resolution Run is the perfect tradition for the whole family.

January Holiday Fun Runs, Walks & Races in Houston

Texas Marathon 

{January 1st| First race starts at 8:00am | Kingwood} 

Choose from a full or half marathon for this low-key, four loop, flat, fast, tree lined course, certified Boston qualifier, with custom shirts, finisher medals, and a complimentary pizza lunch after the event. All proceeds from this event are donated to Coats for Kids, Global Wheelchair Mission and Orphanos Foundation.

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

{January 6th| First race starts at 8:30am | North Houston} 

Ring in the New Year by joining us for the first race in the 2024 Run Houston! Race Series at Sam Houston Race Park! With a 5K, 10K and Kids 1K, there is an event for everyone in the family. Not able to join on race morning? Check out the virtual race options.

If you haven’t already, be sure to follow us on all of our social media outlets {FacebookInstagramTwitter, and Pinterest} and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay up to date on the latest Houston happenings as well!

As you are planning your Christmas, remember to think about all of our Houston area residents. Reliant is dedicated to making sure all children have a magical Christmas by partnering with KHOU 11’s Secret Santa Toy Drive. Give Santa a helping hand this year, and donate to the KHOU 11 Secret Santa Toy Drive. Through the annual toy drive, The Salvation Army of Greater Houston operates the largest individualized gift-giving program in the area and helps more than 7,000 families celebrate Christmas each year.

Join Reliant in helping make children’s holiday wishes come true by supporting the KHOU 11 Secret Santa Toy Drive on Reliant Wednesdays at Space Center Houston’s Galaxy Lights. Bring a new, unwrapped toy every Wednesday through 12/18 to receive $5 off general admission Galaxy Lights tickets.

Connect with Reliant…

The joy of community and the spirit of generosity make this season the most wonderful time of the year. At Reliant, our commitment to the communities where we live and work – especially here in our hometown of Houston – is as strong as our Texas roots. On behalf of Reliant, we hope you have a joyous holiday season! #ReliantLightsYourHolidays

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Looking for more holiday fun? Don’t miss The ULTIMATE Guide to Holidays in Houston!

Pin this post and be sure to follow
Houston Moms on Pinterest!

The Ultimate Guide to holiday fun runs and walks

Please Note :: While we make every effort to crosscheck current links and fun runs details on our guides, we always encourage you to do the same before making final plans. If details are missing or incorrect, please let us know so that we can make every attempt to correct them.  And if you know of any other holiday happenings around town, include them in the comments to keep the list going as well!

Previous articleSpecial Holiday Events In and Around Houston
Next articleThe Best Houston Area Christmas Tree Farms
Christina Sizemore
Christina {Chris} is a Houston native. She grew up just north of the Heights and after a short stent in Oklahoma to obtain an advertising degree, she now resides in Spring with her husband, daughter {2013} and black lab {2016}. In 2017, just before Hurricane Harvey, their lives were devastated by a house fire. They lost their home, belongings, dog and her husband almost lost his life. Chris had two options, succumb to PTSD, guilt and depression, or live. She chose to live life brazenly. Today she is a marketing consultant, writer, artist, and adventurer; working from home or from the woods with her family in their renovated camper. Together they have a goal of visiting every state park in Texas {there are 89 total}, stand up paddle board in tow. Chris is currently writing a book about their home fire journey. She has a passion for mental health, exploration and encouraging others to see the world, follow their dreams, and live life brazenly. You can find more of her writing and art at @strongerthanfire.com, or follow her on Instagram @strongerthanfire, where she shares her family’s adventures, encouragement and weird humor like the backyard telenovela and reviews of made-for-TV Christmas movies.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here