I'll Walk, Yule Run
Get ready to kick off the season at the annual Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run, presented by Raising Cane's on Saturday, December 5, 2026. Be among the first to experience the magic of the Trail! Join us for a stroll, jog, or run along an almost 2-mile untimed course that starts at the iconic Zilker Holiday Tree and winds through the enchanting Austin Trail of Lights. Afterward, stay for the ultimate Finish Line Festival, right in the heart of Zilker Park.
THE FUN RUN EXPERIENCE
- New Rolling Start! At 6PM the start line opens and stays open until 8PM
- One FREE beer* or cocoa after crossing the finish line
- Registration includes the Finish Line Festival and Expo access with fun activities and swag until 10PM
- FREE photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, courtesy of Raising Cane's
- Visit Santa's Workshop, Letters to Santa and the H-E-B Read3 Train in the North Pole
- Ferris Wheel and Carousel rides
- D.J. Dance Party
- Food and beverages from food trucks and bars, available for purchase
- Long-sleeve 2026 Fun Run shirt included with registration!
- Festive costume contest with prizes
- Runners and VIP registrants will step off first through a dedicated start line entry
Adult registration is for anyone ages 12+. Youth registrations are 11 & under. Any children with feet on the ground will need a Youth Registration. Toddlers and infants in strollers are free. Complimentary t-shirts are only offered to paid registrants.
* Must be 21+ to consume alcohol
RUNNERS' CHUTE
- Avid runners looking to set a fast pace should choose "Runners' Start Registration" for a dedicated chute that will take off first at the 6PM countdown along with VIP registrants
- Runners' chute will be open from 6PM - 8PM
- All Fun Run experience benefits are included with Runner registrations
VIP PERKS
- Enjoy the VIP program brought to you by Velocity Credit Union
- VIP registration gives you access to the expedited Runner and VIP Chute between 6-8PM
- Early Packet Pick-Up access
- Admission to the exclusive VIP Lounge at the Finish Line Festival – with food, comfortable seating and a private bar
- 2 Complimentary drink tickets for adult VIP Fun Runners; 1 for Youth
- Registration includes the Finish Line Festival and Expo access with fun activities and giveaways until 10 PM
- Complimentary hot cocoa & holiday cookies
Adult VIP registration is for anyone ages 12+. Youth VIP registrations are 11 & under. Toddlers and infants in strollers may enter free and do not require registration. Complimentary event t-shirt not provided to free entrants.
TEAM PERKS:
Show your holiday enthusiasm together and register as a team!
Have a team of 10 or more? CONTACT US HERE to receive a 10% off discount code and coordinate large team benefits!
- Teams of 10+: Qualify for early Packet Pick-up
- Teams of 36+: Qualify for early Packet Pick-up, your team name printed on Fun Run bib and on the back of event t-shirts*!
- Team members may register for any registration type (Adult, Youth, VIP Adult or VIP Youth).
*All members must register by 11/6/26 to have team name printed on shirt.
PARKING PASSES
Parking Passes are available per vehicle in advance. Fun Run registrations do not include onsite parking. All parking passes must be purchased in advance, online.
Stratford Drive (Gravel Lot) Parking: In order to access Parking, do not use GPS directions, please follow the required driving route on the ticket, as street closures will be in effect.
ADA Parking: ADA Accessible parking is available with a Stratford Parking pass along with a state-issued placard or license plate. All parking passes must be purchased in advance, online.
FINISH LINE FESTIVAL (ONLY) PASS
Want the Fun without the Run? Finish Line Festival (only) Passes allow access to meet friends or family members after they cross the finish line on Saturday, December 5, 2026.
- Access to Finish Line Festival and Expo through separate entry to enjoy entertainment with family and friends
- Cheer on friends & family at the start line
- Finish Line Festival ONLY tickets do not grant access to the Fun Run course route
Finish Line Festival access opens at 5:45pm, and the entrance is located on Stratford Drive at Lou Neff Road. Children ages 5 and under receive complimentary admission into the Finish Line Festival with a ticketed adult.
T-SHIRT INFORMATION
All Fun Run registrants receive a complimentary commemorative 2026 Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run long-sleeve cotton blend t-shirt.
For registrations after 11/1/26, t-shirt inventory may be limited, and specific sizes may not be available. You will receive your event t-shirt at event Packet Pick-up.
EXAMPLE DESIGN: 2025 SHIRT
PACKET PICK-UP DETAILS:
- Thur, December 3, 12PM - 2PM ~ exclusive for VIP purchasers + large teams
- Thur, December 3, 2PM - 7PM ~ all registrants
- Fri, December 4, 12PM - 7PM
- Sat, December 5, 9AM - 1PM
PACKET PICK-UP LOCATION:
Zilker Park, near the Zilker Holiday Tree. Enter at Andrew Zilker Road off Barton Springs Road. Temporary complimentary parking will be available.
WHO CAN PICK UP?
ALL Fun Run registrants MUST attend Packet Pick-Up to receive your bib and event t-shirt before Packet Pick-Up closes at 1pm on December 5th. Can’t make it yourself during scheduled pick-up hours? No sweat, a friend can pick up your packet for you! Just give them a copy of your registration "ticket" either as a printout or on their mobile device for scanning verification by our registration and packet pick-up staff.
Note: Your 2026 commemorative Fun Run shirt is not required on Saturday, December 5th, however you must have your Fun Run bib for event participation and starting line access. Your bib is your ticket to entry.
WHAT TO BRING TO PACKET PICK UP
Please bring a photo ID, along with a mobile or printed registration ticket.
Have other questions not covered, contact [email protected] or go to https://austintrailoflights.org/2026-fun-run.
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WEATHER GUARANTEE™
New this year, you can purchase a Weather Guarantee™ during checkout. If the forecast calls for rain to exceed the Guarantee threshold, you’ll receive an automatic reimbursement even if you still attend the event—no need to cancel or file a claim.
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Terms & Conditions:
2026 Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run participation is available with a required registration pass. No other type of transportation options permitted (such as bikes, scooters, etc). This event is Rain or Shine barring a city park closure. Pets are not permitted. Late arrivals can participate in the next available wave. Road closures and specific driving directions must be followed to properly access the Fun Run Parking and/or Fun Run Starting Line. This ticket grants a revocable license to the bearer and bearer may be removed at any time for any reason. Your event ticket is a revocable license for the event date/time listed. Management reserves the right without the refund of any portion of the ticket purchase price, to refuse admission or to eject any person who fails to comply with the rules of the venue, local, state or federal law or whose conduct is deemed illegal, disorderly, or offensive by management.
Persons entering the facility are subject to search for contraband, alcohol, controlled substances, weapons, firearms, fireworks, video equipment, or professional recording devices, all of which are expressly forbidden, and subject to confiscation.
By completing this purchase and visiting the Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run, you, on behalf of yourself, any invitees, and ticket users, voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19, or any other disease, and personal injury incidental to the event, whether occurring before, during, or after the event. Ticket purchaser/user bears all risks, including cancellation of the event, and of inclement weather. Passes lost or stolen cannot be replaced. The resale or attempted resale of this ticket at a price higher than that appearing on the ticket is prohibited and if discovered will result in the ticket being voided without refund. This ticket may not be used for advertising, promotion (including contests and sweepstakes) or other trade purposes without the express written consent of Management. Rain policy: passes for outdoor events are purchased at risk of inclement weather.
In general, this ticket will not be replaced, refunded, or exchanged unless the event is cancelled due to an unforeseen city park closure.
As a condition of my ticket purchase and attendance participation for each ticket holder/user in the Event, you hereby grant Austin Trail of Lights, the Fun Run, the event director and host organizations a limited license to use my name, likeness, image, photograph, voice, video, biographical and other information (collectively, “Likeness”), in any media platform or format whatsoever, and to distribute, broadcast and exhibit these without charge, restriction or liability, but only for the purposes of advertising or promoting the Event. The foregoing grant, however, does not constitute consent for any third party to use my Likeness in an endorsement of any product or service without my specific written consent.
