Holiday Lights Run 2026: Run or Walk Glendale's Brightest Holiday Lights
The Holiday Lights Run is back on Wednesday, December 9, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Tortoise & Hare Sports is inviting runners, walkers, families and friends to tour about 2–3 miles of Glendale's brightest holiday light displays together, then warm up back at the store with hot cocoa from Well Coffee Co., cookies from Pretty Good Cookies and a big raffle. It's a lights tour, not a race, and every ticket supports The Hope Effect.
Holiday Lights Run 2026 at a glance
- Date
- Wednesday, December 9, 2026
- Time
- Doors open 5:30 PM · Run/walk starts 6:00 PM · Wraps around 8:00 PM
- Where
- Tortoise & Hare Sports, 17570 N. 75th Ave #605, Glendale, AZ 85308 (Arrowhead area)
- Distance
- About 2–3 miles through Glendale holiday light displays
- Who
- All ages and all paces. Run, walk or push a stroller
- Tickets
- $30–$35. Optional event tee $28, order by November 23
- Gives back to
- The Hope Effect
- Sponsors
- Brooks, Balega and Well Coffee Co.
What is the Holiday Lights Run?
The Holiday Lights Run is Tortoise & Hare Sports' annual holiday run and walk in Glendale, Arizona. Instead of chasing a finish time, the group heads out together after dark on a 2–3 mile route past neighborhood homes decked out in holiday lights. Runners can pick up the pace, walkers can take it all in, and families can bring the kids along. Then everyone meets back at the store for cocoa, cookies and prizes.
It's one of the most-loved nights on our event calendar, and a fun way to celebrate the season with your running community. #EmbraceYourPace
Scenes from the 2025 Holiday Lights Run. Photos by Take It Easly Productions.
What happens on the night
5:30 PM: Check in and light up
Doors open at 5:30 PM. Check in at the store, add some blinking lights to your outfit and find your crew. This is the moment to show off your ugly holiday sweater.
6:00 PM: The lights tour begins
We head out together for about 2–3 miles through Glendale's holiday light displays. Run it, walk it, or mix the two. Nobody gets left behind.
After the lights: cocoa, cookies and the raffle
Back at the store, warm up with hot cocoa from Well Coffee Co. and cookies from Pretty Good Cookies, look out for the Phoenix Elves, and stick around for the big raffle. Wearing an ugly sweater gets you an extra chance to win.
What to wear for a night run or walk
The route runs after dark, so being easy to see matters as much as being festive. Here's what we recommend:
- A reflective vest. It's the single best thing you can wear to help drivers see you.
- Blinking or LED lights. Clip-on lights, light-up headbands or string lights all count, and the more the merrier.
- An ugly holiday sweater. It's optional, but it gives you a raffle edge.
- Layers you can shed. Arizona December evenings start cool but warm up fast once you're moving.
- Comfortable, supportive shoes. You'll be on your feet for a couple of miles of sidewalks and streets.
Need gear before the run? Stop by the store before December 9. Our Fit Experts can help you find reflective gear and lights, and get you into the right pair of shoes with our 5-Point Fit Process.
Every mile gives back to The Hope Effect
Proceeds from the 2026 Holiday Lights Run benefit The Hope Effect, a Peoria, Arizona–based nonprofit working to give children without parental care the love of a family. Your ticket turns a festive night out into support for kids who need it most.
Thank you to our sponsors and partners
The Holiday Lights Run wouldn't happen without the people behind it:
- Brooks, sponsor
- Balega, sponsor
- Well Coffee Co., sponsor and the hot cocoa at the finish
- Pretty Good Cookies, for the finish-line cookies
- The Phoenix Elves, for the holiday cheer
- Take It Easly Productions, for capturing every moment on photo and video
Last year's runners, walkers and cocoa crew. Photos by Take It Easly Productions.
Holiday Lights Run FAQ
When is the 2026 Holiday Lights Run?
Wednesday, December 9, 2026. Doors open at 5:30 PM, the run/walk starts at 6:00 PM, and the event wraps up around 8:00 PM.
Where does the Holiday Lights Run start?
It starts and finishes at Tortoise & Hare Sports, 17570 N. 75th Ave #605, Glendale, AZ 85308, in the Arrowhead area. Parking is free.
Do I have to be a runner?
No. Walkers are just as welcome as runners. It's a holiday lights tour, not a race, so go at your own pace.
Can I bring my kids, a stroller or my dog?
Yes. The event is for all ages and strollers are welcome. Leashed, socialized dogs are welcome too.
How much are tickets?
Tickets are $30–$35. The optional Holiday Lights Run t-shirt is an extra $28 and must be ordered by November 23, 2026. Proceeds benefit The Hope Effect.
What should I bring?
A reflective vest, blinking lights, comfortable shoes and an ugly holiday sweater for an extra raffle entry.
Can I get a refund if I can't make it?
Tickets are non-refundable. If your plans change, please let us know as early as you can so we can order cocoa and cookies to the right headcount.
See you under the lights on December 9.
Get all the event details on the Holiday Lights Run page, or see everything coming up on our events calendar.
