December race season is the silliest race season. Somewhere near you this month, there is a 5K full of Santa hats, reindeer antlers, tutus, light-up sweaters and at least one person running the whole thing dressed as a Christmas tree. It is wonderful.
The best known of these is the Jingle Bell Run, which the Arthritis Foundation describes as the nation's largest holiday 5K. It is held in communities across the country throughout the holiday season, it raises money for the Arthritis Foundation, and it openly encourages holiday costumes (many events even hold costume contests). But the same outfit ideas work for any Christmas 5K, ugly sweater run or Santa dash.
Here is how to look festive, stay warm and still make it to the finish with all your antlers.
Updated October 2026
Quick answer
For a Jingle Bell Run or any Christmas 5K, wear your normal cold weather running clothes and put the festive layer on top: a Santa hat, antlers, a tutu, a funny tee or jingle bells tied to your shoelaces. Dress as if it is about 15 to 20 degrees warmer than the forecast, skip cotton socks, and practice jogging in any big costume first. Costumes are encouraged, and many events hold costume contests.
- I Paid to Feel Like This performance tee (from $34.99): the funny shirt costume that never falls off.
- Cold Miles. Hot Takes. beanie ($29.99): the cozy runner look, with a scarf of tinsel.
- Still Behind Me? Keep Up. running socks ($19.99): a message for whoever is behind you.
- Hot Cocoa. Cold Miles. mug ($22.99): the cold ten minutes after the finish.
- Dear Santa, About the Race Fees ornament ($24.99): the runner who does every holiday race.
Run & Tell was started by Tal, a mom of two, when she couldn't find gifts for her runner husband Shalev that weren't cheesy or generic.
Rule one: costumes go on top of running clothes
The most common Christmas 5K mistake is dressing in a costume instead of running clothes. Start with what you would normally wear for a cold run, then add the festive layer on top. If the tinsel scarf gets annoying at mile 1, you can take it off and still be dressed.
How to layer for a December 5K
December can mean 60°F in Arizona or 15°F in Minnesota, so check the forecast the night before. A good rule from our turkey trot outfit guide still applies: dress as if it is about 15 to 20 degrees warmer than it is, because you warm up fast.
Above 45°F. A festive tee, shorts or leggings, maybe a Santa hat.
30 to 45°F. A long sleeve base layer, a funny tee on top, tights or joggers, light gloves and a warm hat.
Below 30°F. Base layer, a fleece or light jacket, tights, gloves, a beanie and a buff or neck gaiter. Put the costume on top of all of it. A Santa suit over a jacket is very forgiving.
Easy Jingle Bell Run costume ideas that survive 3.1 miles
You do not need a full costume to fit in. Here are ideas from "zero effort" to "committed."
The two minute costume. A red or green running top, a Santa hat and jingle bells tied to your shoelaces. Done. Some teams wear jingle-bell-laced shoes at Jingle Bell Run events, and the sound is half the fun.
The funny shirt costume. A good line on a shirt is a costume that never falls off. Our I Paid to Feel Like This performance tee gets a laugh at any start line, and it comes in a performance version you will keep wearing long after December.
The cozy runner. Beanie, gloves, a scarf of tinsel. Our Cold Miles. Hot Takes. embroidered beanie is made for exactly this kind of morning, for the runner whose opinions get louder below 40 degrees.
The reindeer. Antler headband, brown long sleeve, a red clown nose for the photo (take it off before mile 1, trust us).
The elf. Green top, red and white striped tights or socks, pointy hat. Very easy to run in.
The ugly sweater. A real ugly sweater is warm, which is great at 25°F and terrible at 50°F. If it is mild, pick a thin one or an ugly sweater print tee.
The Christmas tree. Green tutu, tinsel garland, a star headband. Advanced level. Practice jogging in it first.
No race near you? Run a candy cane or a Christmas tree on your own streets instead, with a free route from our Strava art ideas.
Team costume ideas
Holiday 5Ks are often team events (and the Jingle Bell Run is a fundraising event, so teams are common). A few easy themes:
- Santa and the reindeer. One Santa, everyone else in antlers. Bonus points if the reindeer are faster than Santa.
- The 12 Days of Christmas. Each person wears a sign with their "day." Great for the photo at the end.
- A family of elves. Easiest one for kids and strollers.
- Matching funny tees. Pick one line and everyone wears it. Simple, warm under layers, and great in photos.
The small stuff that makes a big difference
Socks. Avoid cotton, which holds sweat and causes blisters. Wear your usual running socks, or get into the spirit with a funny pair like our Still Behind Me? Keep Up. socks, with a message on the back of the ankle for whoever is behind you.
Jingle bells. Tie them on with twist ties or a zip tie through the laces, not just a loose knot. A bell that falls off at mile 2 is a sad bell.
Lights. Many December races start early or end near dusk. Battery string lights on a costume look great, but keep wires taped down and away from your feet.
Gloves. Cheap stretchy gloves. You will take them off halfway.
What to bring for after
The ten minutes after the finish are when you get cold, because you are sweaty and standing still. Leave a dry top and a warm layer in the car, plus something hot to drink. Our Hot Cocoa. Cold Miles. mug was made for exactly that moment.
Running it for a cause
If you are doing a Jingle Bell Run, part of the point is the fundraising for the Arthritis Foundation. You can find your local event and set up a fundraising page at arthritis.org/jbr. It is open to runners, walkers and strollers, and no running experience is required, so it is a great first race for family members who have never done one.
Gifts for the runner who does every holiday race
Know someone who does the turkey trot, the Jingle Bell Run and a New Year's Day 5K, and is already planning a spring marathon? They need the Dear Santa, About the Race Fees ornament. Every runner has that December conversation with their bank account.
For more ideas, see our Christmas gift guide for runners and the holiday gifts collection. Everything is printed to order, so order by Monday, November 30 to have it before Christmas.
Cheering from the sidewalk? Our funny signs for marathon runners work at any race.
Christmas 5K outfit FAQ
What do you wear to a Jingle Bell Run? Your normal cold weather running clothes, with something festive on top: a Santa hat, antlers, a funny tee, a tutu or jingle bells on your shoes. Costumes are encouraged, and many events hold costume contests.
Can you walk a Jingle Bell Run? Yes. The Arthritis Foundation says participants can run, walk or stroll, and no running experience is required.
What should I wear for a 5K in the cold? Layers. A base layer, a top layer, tights, gloves and a hat. Dress as if it is about 15 to 20 degrees warmer than the forecast, since you warm up quickly once you start.
How do I attach jingle bells to running shoes? Thread them onto your laces before you tie them, or use a twist tie or small zip tie through the laces. Do not rely on a loose knot.
Is an ugly sweater too warm for a 5K? It depends on the weather. At around freezing, a sweater is great. Above 45°F, choose a thin sweater or an ugly sweater print tee instead.