62ND ANNUAL TRAIL OF LIGHTS OPENS FUN RUN REGISTRATION

Visual assets (photo credit: Javier Carrera)

(AUSTIN, TEXAS - September 1, 2026) - Registration is now open for the 2026 Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run, presented by Raising Cane's, taking place on Saturday, Dec. 5 and giving guests an early look at Austin's beloved holiday light display before it opens to the public. Now in its 15th year, the community favorite pairs festive fun with philanthropy, welcoming participants of all paces to lace up for a cause. The untimed, 2-mile course steps off at the iconic Zilker Holiday Tree and winds through the illuminated Austin Trail of Lights in Zilker Park. Register at https://austintrailoflights.org/2026-fun-run.

Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Christmas Light Displays in the U.S., and as a Top 10 Holiday Lights Display in Newsweek's Readers’s Choice Awards, the Austin Trail of Lights is a cornerstone of the city's holiday season. Since its 2011 reimagining from the historic Yule Run, the Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run has welcomed thousands of participants and collected hundreds of toys for donation to Blue Santa and other organizations. The Fun Run helps ensure the Trail of Lights event remains accessible to the entire community and supports the STARS program at the Trail, which has served over 23,000 community members via their non-profits groups.

The 2026 Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run start line will be open from 6 PM - 8 PM. Guests must register in advance and groups are welcome to register together to secure their spots. Teams of 36 or more interested in participating can visit the website to coordinate registration and partake in exclusive benefits.

Youth and Adult Registrations start at $20 and $35, respectively, and include a commemorative long-sleeve Fun Run T-shirt, a 2026 Race Bib, complimentary cocoa or beer (21+), finish line festival admission and free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Children in strollers do not require registration. All attendees will have access to the Finish Line Festival where they can enjoy carnival rides, food trucks, bars, expo partner giveaways, a holiday costume contest and a dance floor with DJ Supa Q. Participants have the option to upgrade their tickets to include a dedicated lounge, complimentary food, drinks, and more presented by Velocity Credit Union.

What to Expect in 2026

A new rolling start will debut in 2026, giving participants greater flexibility to begin the Fun Run. A dedicated Runner and VIP chute will lead off at 6 p.m., followed immediately by all other registered participants. The start line will remain open until 8 p.m. so that guests may come and begin their experience at any time.

The updated course introduced in 2025 will return, winding around the Zilker Holiday Tree which improved participant flow and added an even more festive atmosphere. Fun Run participants will also enjoy early access to several of the Trail’s most popular North Pole attractions, including Santa’s Workshop, Letters to Santa and the H-E-B Read3 Train.

For general information on the 2026 Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run, visit https://austintrailoflights.org/2026-fun-run or follow @austintrailoflights on Facebook, and @ATXLights on Instagram.

Brands can engage with guests through sponsorship or an Expo space. Connect with active Austinites who share your passion for health and fitness at the 2026 Trail of Lights Fun Run!

62nd Annual Austin Trail of Lights Calendar

Dec 1 - 3rd STARS at the Trail Program

Dec 4th Night Lights Preview Party

Dec 5th Fun Run presented by Raising Cane’s (registration open)

Dec 10th Grand Opening presented by H-E-B

Dec 23rd Closing Night

About the Austin Trail of Lights

The Austin Trail of Lights, presented by H-E-B, is the city’s longest-running holiday tradition, celebrating its 62nd year in 2026. The historic main event kicks off Thursday, Dec. 10 and runs nightly through Wednesday, Dec. 23 from 7 to 10 p.m. Over the course of 14 nights, the Trail will welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to Zilker Park with more than 2 million lights, 70 displays, interactive attractions, food trucks and live entertainment.

General admission is free on half of the event nights. Children under 12 always receive free admission, as do all guests riding the event shuttle. The box office for admission tickets and parking passes will open early October at austintrailoflights.org.

About the Trail of Lights Foundation

The Trail of Lights Foundation is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to producing and maintaining the Austin Trail of Lights as an authentically Austin community celebration. The single-purpose entity raises funds through donations by individuals, businesses and through events like the Fun Run to ensure the event remains accessible to the entire community and supports the STARS program which has served over 23,000 community members via their non-profits groups. Since 2012, the event has also provided maintenance and upkeep of the historic displays at the event. ​ The holiday tradition is curated in close conjunction with its long-time partner, Forefront Networks. The Austin Trail of Lights has been one of the top three most-attended events in Austin since the Trail of Lights Foundation adopted the event in 2012.

About Raising Cane’s®

Raising Cane’s is one of the fastest-growing Restaurant Brands, with 900+ Restaurants in 40+ states, and plans to open more than 100 new Restaurants across several new markets in 2025. The company recently announced plans to be one of the top 10 Restaurant Brands in the United States and is known for its ONE LOVE® – Craveable Chicken Finger Meals® – which includes the iconic “Cane’s Sauce®” – named the #1 most craveable sauce in the Restaurant industry and most craveable chicken. For more information, visit raisingcanes.com.

For more information on The Trail of Lights, please see www.austintrailoflights.org.

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MEDIA NOTE:

For general press inquiries about the Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run, please contact Samantha Foster at sfoster@saymynamepr.com | 512.670.6744.