Brookfield Zoo Chicago Reindeer Run
About this race
Grab your glow sticks and running shoes and join us on Saturday, November 14 for Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Reindeer Run!
With a 2-mile course entirely within the Zoo, you and your family can "fun run" under the lights and be the first to see Holiday Magic!
All registered Reindeer Run participants will receive a commemorative hat.
Fun run individually or with your family and friends! Only those walking or running on their own need to be registered.
Strollers are welcome and children riding in strollers are FREE.
Pick your distance
Running
Fun Run
Race Day Entrance and Parking: Zoo Access: Guests are welcome to enter the zoo any time after 5:30 p.m. on November 14, 2026. Entrance & Parking: Please use the North Gate Entrance and park in the North Gate Parking Lot. Parking at the South Gate Entrance will not be allowed. Check-In & Swag Pickup: After parking, head into the zoo to check in and collect your commemorative race swag. Please note: early pick-up before the race is not available. Race Assembly: Once you’ve checked in and received your swag, proceed to the Pavilions, where the race will begin at 7:00 p.m. Race Information: Join the Fun: The Brookfield Zoo Chicago Reindeer Run is a fun run, where the focus is on celebration and movement—no timing, just good cheer! All Ages Welcome: Whether young or young at heart, everyone is invited to run, walk, or stroll along the festive route. Check-In: Start your adventure by checking in at the North Gate Entrance and get ready to enjoy the event. Registration: To make your participation official, please register in advance so we can prepare a fun welcome for you. Spectator Fun: Friends and family are invited to cheer along in the North Mall areas, including the Start/Finish Lines, Pavilions, and Carousel Plaza, making the run extra festive. Please note: the Zoo is not open to walk outside of the running paths. Animal Safety First: To keep our animal friends happy and comfortable, we ask participants and spectators to leave lasers, kazoos and loud bells at home. This helps ensure a safe and peaceful environment for everyone to enjoy. Holiday Magic: While you’ll get to enjoy the festive lights along the Reindeer Run route, for a full Holiday Magic experience throughout the zoo, we invite your family to visit on one of the regularly scheduled Holiday Magic nights. Race Day Schedule: 5:30 pm - Registrants can enter and check-in at Brookfield Zoo Chicago's North Gate Entrance 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm - Pavilions open with music 7:00 pm - Reindeer Run begins
Typical race-day weather
Based on 7 years of Open-Meteo archive data for this event's race dates in Brookfield, plus the 3 days either side.
The sun rises at 6:39 AM and sets at 4:31 PM local time (CST) in Brookfield on November 14, 2026 — 9h 51m of daylight.
Course
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
Reviews
Done this event?
If you've participated in this event, share your experience with other runners
Other races near Brookfield
Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
St. Francis Xavier Falcon 5K Run/Walk
Pilgrim Pie Run for Rotary
Frank Lloyd Wright Races
Jingle Dash 5K
🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Brookfield
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Brookfield Running Calendar 2026 3 races
Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 3 Brookfield events
Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.