Asbury Park Santa Run

Asbury Park Santa Run is held in Ocean Township, New Jersey, on Saturday, December 5, 2026, with one 5K (3.1 miles) starting at 10:00 a.m. Participants dress as Santa and run or walk through the streets of Asbury Park, and entry covers the race, a Santa suit, and timed results. The event supports Lunch Break, a local nonprofit, and participants aged 21 and over also get access to after-parties at well-known local music venues.

Results are timed, so you can race this if you want to, but the suit and the after-party tell you what the day is really about. It makes a good first 5K: the distance is short, walking is welcome, and the crowd carries you along. If you want to run the whole way, build up over four to six weeks with three sessions a week and one longer effort of 30 to 40 minutes. Try a run in the suit at least once beforehand, since an extra layer changes how quickly you heat up.