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Races near Chicago in December 2026

Updated October 17, 2026

19 races are on the calendar near Chicago in December 2026, starting with Crete Country Christmas 5k Grinch Run on Saturday, December 5 in Crete. Listed by date, with prices and early-bird deadlines where the race publishes them.

Oct 2026Nov 2026Dec 2026Jan 2027Feb 2027Mar 2027Apr 2027May 2027Jun 2027Jul 2027Aug 2027Sep 2027

• Sat5Dec

  Crete Country Christmas 5k Grinch Run

  Sat Dec 5 · 8:00 AM · Crete · South Suburbs

  5K

  from $25Goes up Nov 28
• Sat5Dec

  Santa Hustle Chicago

  Sat Dec 5 · 8:00 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)

  1K5K10K

  from $29.99Goes up Nov 1
• Sat5Dec

  Reindeer Run 5K

  Sat Dec 5 · 8:30 AM · Wheaton · West Suburbs

  5K

  from $35Goes up Nov 5
• Sat5Dec

  Rotary Santa Run Walk & Reindeer Dash

  Sat Dec 5 · 9:30 AM · Arlington Heights · North Shore & North Suburbs

  5K

  from $45Goes up Nov 1
• Sat5Dec

  The Village of Norridge 5K Reindeer Run and Kids Dash

  Sat Dec 5 · 9:30 AM · Norridge · Chicago (city)

  5K

  from $40Goes up Nov 27
• Sat5Dec

  Santa's Run through the Lights 5K Run/Walk

  Sat Dec 5 · 8:15 PM · Geneva · West Suburbs

  5K

  from $12.99
• Sun6Dec

  Lemont Frigid 5K

  Sun Dec 6 · 8:00 AM · Lemont · South Suburbs

  5K

  from $45Goes up Nov 19
• Sat12Dec

  Jingle Bell Run - Chicago, IL

  Sat Dec 12 · 7:30 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)

  1 mile5K

  from $40Goes up Nov 1
• Sat12Dec

  Run for Breast Cancer 5K/10K/13.1 Chicago/Evanston

  Sat Dec 12 · 7:30 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)

  1 mile5K10KHalf marathon

  from $30
• Sat12Dec

  Sunrise Marathon 5K/10K/13.1 Chicago/Evanston

  Sat Dec 12 · 7:30 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)

  1 mile5K10KHalf marathon

  from $30
• Sat12Dec

  Park Ridge Santa Stroll 5k - Stroll Mile - Jingle Jog

  Sat Dec 12 · 8:00 AM · Park Ridge · North Shore & North Suburbs

  5KTrail

  from $45
• Sat12Dec

  Candy Cane Course - Greater Chicago

  Sat Dec 12 · 9:00 AM · Elk Grove Village · North Shore & North Suburbs

  1 mile5K10K9.3 miles

  from $27Goes up Oct 19
• Sat12Dec

  Single & Mingle Spirits Run Christmas Style 5k

  Sat Dec 12 · 10:00 AM · Warrenville · West Suburbs

  5K

  from $45Goes up Nov 17
• Sat12Dec

  The Universal Sole December Trail Challenge

  Sat Dec 12 · 10:00 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)

  4.5 milesTrail

  from $50Goes up Nov 1
• Sun13Dec

  Festivus 5K Run

  Sun Dec 13 · 8:10 AM · Chesterton · Northwest Indiana

  1K5K

  from $10Goes up Nov 21
• Sat19Dec

  Santa Run & Walk 5K/2K | Hometown Happenings

  Sat Dec 19 · 8:00 AM · Crown Point · Northwest Indiana

  5K

  from $30
• Sat19Dec

  Catch the Elf 5k & 10k

  Sat Dec 19 · 9:00 AM · Markham · South Suburbs

  5K10K

  from $35Goes up Dec 5
• Sat26Dec

  A Merry Christmas Run 5K/10K/13.1 Chicago/Evanston

  Sat Dec 26 · 7:30 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)

  1 mile5K10KHalf marathon

  from $30
• Sat26Dec

  New Year's Run 5K/10K/13.1 Chicago/Evanston

  Sat Dec 26 · 7:30 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)

  1 mile5K10KHalf marathon

  from $30

Quick answers

How many races are near Chicago in December 2026?

19 races are listed near Chicago in December 2026. The first is Crete Country Christmas 5k Grinch Run on Saturday, December 5 in Crete, and the last is New Year's Run 5K/10K/13.1 Chicago/Evanston on December 26.

What is the cheapest race near Chicago in December 2026?

Festivus 5K Run on December 13 has the lowest listed entry fee: $10. Prices are before the registration platform's processing fee.

When does the next early-bird price end for races near Chicago?

Candy Cane Course - Greater Chicago: the 5K goes from $38 to $42 after October 19. 11 more of these races publish a later price increase.

Are there half marathons or marathons near Chicago in December 2026?

Yes: 4 half marathons and 0 marathons. The first is Run for Breast Cancer 5K/10K/13.1 Chicago/Evanston on December 12.