Carol of Lights Run

Carol of Lights Run is held on the Texas Tech University campus in Lubbock, Texas, on December 13, 2026. Two distances are on the program, both in the evening: the 5K sets off at 6:45 p.m. and the one-mile run follows at 6:50 p.m. The route is lit by more than 25,000 colored lights, with carols along the way and treats waiting at the finish.

An evening race changes how you prepare. Eat your main meal several hours before the start rather than the night before, keep the afternoon light, and warm up a little longer than you would in the morning, since your legs will have been sitting all day. The one-mile option makes this an easy family outing, while the 5K is short enough to run hard and still enjoy the lights on the way around.