When is the 2026 Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run?

Saturday, December 5, 2026, with a rolling start from 6 to 8 p.m. in Zilker Park.

Is the Fun Run timed?

No. The course is about two miles and untimed, so you can run, jog or walk at your own pace.

What does registration include?

A long-sleeve shirt, a bib and entry to the Finish Line Festival, including a complimentary drink.

Parking passes are sold online in advance and often sell out. Rideshare is the easiest backup.

Local's Choice: Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run Guide

Cover photo: illustrative stock photograph by RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images, sourced through Canva. This image does not depict the Trail of Lights or the Fun Run.

Quick Answer

The 2026 Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run is on Saturday, December 5, in Zilker Park. It is an untimed course of about two miles that winds through the Trail of Lights, with a rolling start from 6 to 8 p.m. and a Finish Line Festival afterward. Run it, jog it or walk it at your own pace.

Why Locals Love It

Every December, Zilker Park turns into one of Austin's favorite holiday traditions. The Fun Run gives you a different way to see it: on foot, surrounded by lights, alongside fellow Austinites in full holiday spirit. There is no clock to beat and no pressure to race, which is exactly why it draws everyone from serious runners to families out for an evening stroll.

It is also an early look. The run takes place before the Trail of Lights opens to the public for the season, so you get to experience the displays on a night that feels like a local secret.

The Course

The course starts on Barton Springs Road near the Zilker Holiday Tree, winds through the Trail of Lights and finishes at the Finish Line Festival inside Zilker Metropolitan Park. At about two miles and untimed, it is friendly for first-timers. Faster runners can choose the Runner's Start, which leaves at the 6 p.m. countdown; everyone else can start any time during the rolling window until 8 p.m.

What's Included

Registration includes a long-sleeve event shirt, a bib and entry to the Finish Line Festival, where your bib gets you a complimentary drink. Registration is offered in several tiers, including general admission for adults and youth, the Runner's Start, a VIP option and team entries. Early-bird pricing is available for a limited time, so it pays to sign up early on the official Trail of Lights Fun Run page.

What to Know Before You Go

Packet pickup is scheduled for December 3 and 4, plus the morning of the run. Parking near Zilker is limited and passes are sold online in advance; they often sell out, so plan on rideshare if you miss out. Dress in layers, since December evenings by the creek can turn cool after sunset, and festive gear is part of the fun.

The run is produced by the Trail of Lights Foundation, the nonprofit behind the annual display. If you want to come back for the full Trail experience, it opens to the public on December 10, 2026 and runs through December 23, including several free nights. Check the official site for tickets and schedules.

Make a Night of It

Zilker sits right next to some of Austin's best outdoor spaces. If you are in town for the weekend, a morning walk on the Lady Bird Lake hike-and-bike trail is the perfect way to shake out your legs the day after. Runners planning ahead for a bigger race can also browse our guide to where to stay for the Austin Marathon.

Where to Stay in Austin

The Downtown Modern is a private vacation rental in downtown Austin, close to Lady Bird Lake. Most of the city's best spots are an easy walk, scooter or bike ride away. Planning a future Austin trip? Check upcoming availability on our booking page.