Jingle Bell Run Birmingham

Jingle Bell Run Birmingham takes place at Patriot Park in Homewood, Alabama, on December 5, 2026. The 5K run and walk starts at 9 a.m. and a 1-mile fun run follows five minutes later at 9:05 a.m. The event raises money for the Arthritis Foundation, participants are encouraged to wear holiday costumes and tie bells to their shoes, and costume contests, a visit from Santa and other entertainment make it a community fixture.

With only five minutes between the two starts, choose your distance before you arrive rather than planning to do both. The mile is the family option and the 5K is where a runner can put in a real effort — a month of running three times a week is enough base for it. Tie those bells tightly: they move a lot once the pace picks up.