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Christmas Lights Running Tours 2026
Guided 5k and 10k running tours through London's best festive displays. Music on, fancy dress encouraged, jingle all the way. Not a runner? Try a walking tour.
Or, why not try our new GPS audio Christmas lights half marathon 2026?
Choose from 4 sparkling routes
1
Classic Christmas Lights Running Tour 2026
All the classic lights displays of the West End and Mayfair - from Carnaby, Bond and Regent Street, to Covent Garden, Seven Dials, and loads more displays off the beaten track. 10k, 5k and 3k walk available
Starts: Charing Cross Station
2
Christmas Lights in the City Running Tour
Explore the historic City of London in its festive splendour away from the hyped displays of the Mayfair. There are instillations and trees a-plenty and a little bit more space to run.10k & 5k available
Starts: London Bridge Station
3
Christmas in Chelsea running tour
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Our prettiest tour takes you through the beautiful displays of Chelsea, Belgravia and even makes a visit to Battersea Power Station. As with City, there's a bit more space to run compared to Classic, and plenty of festive cheer.10k & 5k available
Starts: Victoria Station
4
Christmas lights half marathon
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See more Christmas lights than you thought possible on our half marathon GPS audio tour. Run at your pace, on a date of your choice - you'll get directions and commentary triggered by your GPS through your headphones. Do it at a time of your choice from 23rd November 2026 to 4th January 2027.
Starts: Victoria Station, ends Liverpool Street Station
What to expect
You'll meet your run/walk leader and a group of fellow Christmas lights enthusiasts. Then, we'll head out into London's most sparkly streets, with festive tunes pumping as we go ho ho.
We'll jingle together, then stop to admire the lights, take photos and find out a little bit more about them. This is a laid back group run, not a race.
Paces
All our tours have a guide pace to keep you in your comfort zone. No one gets left behind on our tours. Please sign up to the best pace for you.
Walk
A gentle walking pace for 3k.
Do this if you aren't a runner but want to see the lights.
Walk/Run
Mixing up intervals of gentle jogging with walking.
Do this if you're worried about running the full distance.
Do
Gentle Jingle
You're comfortable running the distance at 12-13 minute miles.
Equivalent to10k in approx 1hr15-1hr20, 5k in 37-40 mins.
You
Do
Merrily Medium
Festively Fast
You're comfortable running the distance at 10-12 minute miles.
Equivalent to10k in approx 1hr-1hr14
You're comfortable running the distance in sub 10 minute miles
Equivalent to10k in less than 1hr.
Private booking
Book a private guide(s) for your running club, office or group of friends to explore London's Christmas lights at a date/time of your choice. 15+ runners. Get in touch early to guarantee a slot
Merry reviews
"A brilliant event, I'd thoroughly recommend this to any Christmas-loving runner! Fab fun, great atmosphere, knowledgeable and friendly guide, everyone was made welcome it was such a super & unique way to see the festive lights."
LARISSA
5* TRIPADVISOR REVIEW
"What a fantastic evening! A great way to see the lights, some of which I didn’t even know existed! Sophie was excellent with great guiding all the way round and lots of information about the sights, traditions and general facts about the places we visited. A definite for next year."
KIRSTY
5* TRIPADVISOR REVIEW
"Took part in the 10k last night - 24 Santa’s, 1 reindeer and 2 elves (I was one of them)! Absolutely brilliant tour, Matt was an amazing leader, funny and entertaining and kept us all together. Had an amazing time, so much fun and all ready for Christmas now! Highly recommend! The biggest question is what’s the costume next year?!"
JANE DAVIS
FACEBOOK RECCOMENDATION
"I organised a private Christmas lights 10k running tour for my running mates and have to say from the ease of booking to the actual event itself it was fantastic! Our tour guide Cat was great fun and knowledgeable and we had lots of laughs along the way. The route was fab as we got to see so many wonderful light displays that normally we wouldn’t get the opportunity to admire and had lots of fab photos taken whilst singing along to festive tunes. Thanks Cat and to the Secret London Runs team - we will be back"
HAIDEE
5* TRIPADVISOR REVIEW
FAQS
HOW FAST DO I NEED TO BE?
Our tours are about having fun and celebrating Christmas. No one's setting any PBs. We operate on a strict "no one gets left behind" policy, which means we run at the pace of the gentlest runner in our group. Each group has a guide pace to keep you in your comfort zone, so please pick the pace that best suits you. To be inclusive, the Gentle Jingle is often very gentle, so if you usually run within the pace guidelines of 'Merrily Medium' or 'Festively Fast' then please do sign up for those.
IS THERE A BAG DROP?
There is no official bag drop. However, Luggage Hero are giving all secret London Runs 2 hours discount on storage across their London facilities (booking fee and optional insurance applies). All our 10k running tours are circular to help you use luggage storage. You'll get the link after you've booked.
DOESN'T IT GET BUSY?
The City and Chelsea tours are less crowded. The Classic tour can get busy, but we've been doing this a long time and know lots of sneaky back alleys to get up to the lights that avoid the crowds. We also have a good idea which nights to avoid. Book the earliest November nights and weeknights (Monday-Wednesday) if you're worried about crowds.
ARE CHILDREN WELCOME?
Accompanied children aged 12+ are welcome at any tour where they are comfortable with the guide pace, with an adult who takes full responsibility for their safety. If you bring anyone aged under 18 to a tour, please email hello@secretlondonruns.com to let us know in advance. We do not allow anyone under the age of 12 on our Christmas lights tours.
WHAT IF I NEED TO CHANGE MY DATE?
When you book online you'll get a link to change your booking any time up until one-week prior to your tour. You're also welcome to email hello@secretlondonruns.com.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING/WEAR?
Wear your festive best, and clothes suitable for running/walking. We just need your name at registration - there's no need to print off your ticket.
I'VE BEEN ON YOUR CHRISTMAS TOURS BEFORE - WHAT'S NEW THIS YEAR?
The classic route is new this year, but it will visit a number of the same streets as previous years.
The Chelsea route was new in 2024.
The City tour was new in 2022.
WHAT IF IT RAINS?
You're booking an outside event in November/December in the UK. It might rain. We don't cancel our runs when bad weather is forecast, except if it is dangerous to run. Please come dressed for the all eventualities.
ARE YOU DOING THE SELF-GUIDED HALF MARATHON THIS YEAR?
The self-guided Christmas Lights half marathon is back for 2026! More details here.