2026 Jingle Bell Run - Metro DC 2026
- Date
- Sunday, December 6, 2026
- Start time
- 8:00 AM start (New York)
- Location
- Washington, District of Columbia
- Entry fee
- From $25 · goes up to $50 on Nov 1, 2026
- Included with entry
- Includes a shirt
- Fundraising
- Takes optional donations when you register
Registration is open.
We earn a small commission when you register through this link, at no cost to you. Details
Official race websiteAdd to calendar: Apple or Outlook · Google
Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5K Timed | 5K | Dec 6, 20268:00 AM | $45$50 after Nov 1, 2026 | – |
| 5K Untimed | 5K | Dec 6, 20268:00 AM | $40$45 after Nov 1, 2026 | – |
| Back-to-Back Bells | 5K | Dec 6, 20268:00 AM | $75 | – |
| Kids Run | Kids | Dec 6, 20268:00 AM | $25$30 after Nov 1, 2026 | – |
| Virtual JinglerVirtual | – | Dec 6, 20268:00 AM | $45 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
The 5K fee goes up to $50 on Nov 1, 2026.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- 5K Timed: $45 until Oct 31, then $50 until Dec 5, then $55 until Dec 6.
- 5K Untimed: $40 until Oct 31, then $45 until Dec 5, then $50 until Dec 6.
- Back-to-Back Bells: $75 until Dec 6.
- Kids Run: $25 until Oct 31, then $30 until Dec 5, then $35 until Dec 6.
Online registration closes Dec 6, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $45, entry is about the same as a typical 5K in District of Columbia ($42.50).
What a typical finish looks like
A typical finisher at a 5K in Washington runs 34:25, about 11:05 a mile, based on 30 races with published results. Women typically finish in 36:58 and men in 30:17.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:12 AM, and the 5K Timed starts at 8:00 AM. The start sits about 80 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
1100 Ohio Drive SW, Washington, DC 20242
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
2025 results
All results (5 years)Aggregated from official results (TCR Event Management) for 2026 Jingle Bell Run - Metro DC. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
How fast do you need to be at 2026 Jingle Bell Run - Metro DC?
In 2025, the fastest tenth finished in 24:17 or better, the top quarter in 28:15, and half the field in 32:16; the last tenth came in after 48:44.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 25:46 | 24:29 |
| 20-29 | 25:06 | 22:57 |
| 30-39 | 26:23 | 20:02 |
| 40-49 | 28:53 | 28:32 |
| 50-59 | 29:03 | n/a |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
What would my time get me?
Where a finish time would have placed in 2025.
Finishers by year
Down 5 percent since 2021.
All events combined, from official results.
2026 Jingle Bell Run - Metro DC 5K year by year
From 2021 to 2025, the field went from 172 to 163 finishers, and the median time rose from 31:59 to 32:16.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 163 (+60%) | 32:16 | under 24:17 | 17:33 |
| 2024 | 102 (-8%) | 34:25 | under 22:04 | 18:22 |
| 2023 | 111 (+18%) | 34:29 | under 25:27 | 20:52 |
| 2022 | 94 (-45%) | 32:20 | under 23:54 | 19:50 |
| 2021 | 172 | 31:59 | under 23:31 | 19:10 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
How fast is it?
About average for District of Columbia 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 28:15, against 28:48 in a typical District of Columbia 5K, so times here are about average.
Compares the fastest quarter of each field, so walkers and first-timers do not skew it. It reflects the course and the field together: a flat course, cool weather, or a competitive crowd all make times faster.
Typical race-day weather
Around December 6 the day usually runs from 32°F at dawn to 45°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 17% of days. Cold snaps dip to 26°F and hot years reach 60°F.
Based on 65 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
Race details
- Where
- 1100 Ohio Drive SW, Washington, DC 20242Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 80 feet
- Included with entry
- T-Shirt
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- 5K, Kids
- Editions
- 2026 (Dec 6, 2026), 2025 (Dec 6, 2025), 2024 (Dec 15, 2024), 2023 (Dec 3, 2023), 2022 (Dec 3, 2022), 2021 (Dec 4, 2021)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is 2026 Jingle Bell Run - Metro DC?
- Sunday, December 6, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $25 before processing fees, and rises to $50 on Nov 1, 2026.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Dec 6, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for District of Columbia?
- At $45, entry is about the same as a typical 5K in District of Columbia ($42.50).
- Do runners get a shirt or medal?
- Entry includes a shirt, according to the race's registration page. Check it for sizes and whether kids' races get the same.
- Can I donate to a cause when I register?
- Yes. The registration form offers an optional donation, usually for the charity or nonprofit the race supports. The race's own page names the cause.
- What distances can I run?
- 5K, Kids.
- How big is it, and how fast?
- In 2025, 163 runners finished the 5K Timed; the median finish was 32:16 and the winner ran 17:33.
- Is it a fast course?
- The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 28:15, against 28:48 in a typical District of Columbia 5K, so times here are about average.
- Where does it start?
- 1100 Ohio Drive SW, Washington, DC 20242.
From the organizers
Get ready for this year’s Jingle Bell Run, the original festive race for charity brought to you by the Arthritis Foundation. Wear your favorite holiday gear, and let's jingle all the way toward a cure!
Whether you're running, walking, or strolling, bring your friends, family, and coworkers along for the ride. Together, we're spreading joy and making strides towards a brighter future — saying "YES" to life, despite arthritis.
Don't miss out on this special occasion to make a real difference while celebrating four decades of impact with the Jingle Bell Run. Let's lace up, hit the pavement, and jingle our way toward victory over arthritis!