2026 Ugly Sweater 5k, Presented by Northwestern Mutual 2026
- Date
- Saturday, December 5, 2026
- Start time
- 4:15 PM start (Chicago)
- Location
- La Crosse, Wisconsin
- Entry fee
- From $30 · goes up to $35 on Nov 28, 2026
- Fundraising
- Takes optional donations when you register
Registration is open.
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Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Ugly Sweater 5k, Presented by Northwestern Mutual | 5K | Dec 5, 20264:15 PM | $30$35 after Nov 28, 2026 | – |
| VIRTUAL 2026 Ugly Sweater 5kVirtual | 5K | Nov 26, 2026 | $30 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
The 5K fee goes up to $35 on Nov 28, 2026.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- $30 until Nov 28, then $35 until Dec 5, then $40 until Dec 5.
Online registration closes Dec 5, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $30, entry is about 14 percent below a typical 5K in Wisconsin, which costs $35 right now.
What a typical finish looks like
A typical finisher at a 5K in Wisconsin runs 34:09, about 11:00 a mile, based on 225 races with published results. Women typically finish in 36:23 and men in 30:35.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:22 AM, and the 2026 Ugly Sweater 5k, Presented by Northwestern Mutual starts at 4:15 PM. The start sits about 1,240 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
Myrick Park to Riverside Park, La Crosse, WI 54601
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. Course maps are the organizers' own.
Typical race-day weather
Around December 5 the day usually runs from 22°F at dawn to 35°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 11% of days. Cold snaps dip to 9°F and hot years reach 46°F.
Based on 75 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
- Myrick Park to Riverside Park, La Crosse, WI 54601Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 1,240 feet
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- 5K
- Editions
- 2026 (Dec 5, 2026), 2025 (Dec 6, 2025), 2024 (Dec 7, 2024), 2023 (Dec 2, 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 Ugly Sweater 5k, Presented by Northwestern Mutual?
- Saturday, December 5, 2026, starting at 4:15 PM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $30 before processing fees, and rises to $35 on Nov 28, 2026.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Dec 5, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for Wisconsin?
- At $30, entry is about 14 percent below a typical 5K in Wisconsin, which costs $35 right now.
- 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.
- Where does it start?
- Myrick Park to Riverside Park, La Crosse, WI 54601.
- Is there a course map?
- Yes, the organizers publish the route on MapMyRun; the link is under Start location and course.
From the organizers
The Ugly Sweater 5k, presented by Northwestern Mutual, is coming up on Saturday, December 5, 2026! Hosted by the Rotary Club of La Crosse—After Hours (RAH), this festive, family-friendly event is one you won't want to miss.
This year's race will be offered both in-person and virtually. Packet pick-up and race-day check-in will be at The Nature Place beginning at 3:00 p.m. with holiday music and character appearances to kick off the fun. Same-day registration will also be available.