Southern Lights Stroll 5K
About this race
🌟🎅 Kick Off the Holidays at the 2026 Southern Lights Stroll! 🎅🌟
📍 Kentucky Horse Park | Saturday, November 21, 2026
Ready, set… GLOW!
It’s that magical time of year again—and there’s no better way to jumpstart your holiday season than by literally lighting the way! Join us for the Southern Lights Stroll, your one-night-only chance to walk, run, and twirl through the iconic lights of the Kentucky Horse Park—before the cars take over! Whether you're chasing a personal best or strolling with hot cocoa in hand, there's something for everyone:
🏁 5K Chip-Timed Race – Starts at 5:30 PM
🏁 All 5K participants are expected to start at 5:30 PM
🚶♀️ Stroll (Untimed Walk) – Begins at 6:00 PM
🎄 All Stroll participants must be on the course by 8:00 PM—don’t miss the magic!
🎅 The fun doesn’t stop at the finish line!
Once you cross into the Holiday Village, stick around for a night of merry memory-making:
🎁 Photos with Santa
🍬 Tootie’s Peppermint Café
🚂 Mini Train Rides
🎶 Music, lights, and holiday vibes
🎉 And even more surprises to be revealed!
👕 Limited-edition event shirts go to the first 2,000 adults registered—so don’t wait!
👧 Discounted prices for Kids 7 to 12 in either event; Kids 6 & under participate FREE in the Stroll!
🎟️ Packet Pickup Details:
📍 Visitor Information Center at the Kentucky Horse Park
Thursday, November 19 | 4:30–7:00 PM
Friday, November 20 | 4:30–7:00 PM
Saturday, November 21 | Starting at 4:00 PM
INSIDER TIP: Pick up your packet on Thursday or Friday to make race day a breeze
🌟 Exciting News! 🌟
We're thrilled to announce a brand-new route for this year's Southern Lights Stroll! Lace up your walking shoes and get ready to explore a reimagined path filled with dazzling lights, festive cheer, and magical surprises around every turn. Whether you're a returning fan or a first-time visitor, this new route promises an unforgettable experience for all ages.
📍 Start Line: In front of the Kentucky Horse Park Visitors Center
🎉 Finish Line: Right in the heart of the festive Holiday Village
🎄 Join the glow. Feel the joy. Start the season with sparkle.
The Southern Lights Stroll is more than a race—it’s a celebration. Bring your family, your friends, your dog (on a leash, of course), and your holiday spirit!
See you under the lights!
Pick your distance
Running
5K Run
Our competitive 5K race will be chip timed by Bluegrass Timing. Awards will be given for Top 3 M/F Overall plus 10 different age groups. Race will start in front the of the Kentucky Horse Park Gate House and end in the Southern Lights Holiday Village. Expand the Registration Details below for age based prices.
Walking
5K Stroll
This is our untimed, non-competitive walk/stroll. This race will be along the same course as the competitive 5K so you can enjoy all of the holiday scenery and Southern Lights! Expand the Registration Details below for age based prices.
Typical race-day weather
Based on 10 years of historical conditions on this event's race dates in Lexington.
Course
Route map and elevation profile
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.
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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, 61 Lexington events
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