Christmas in July 2026

Christmas in July is a night race starting from the Fry Center on Amnicola Highway in Chattanooga, Tennessee, offering 5K, 10K, and half marathon distances. It takes place in July, beginning at 8:00 PM. The premise is runners participating in a summer road race while dressed for a holiday typically observed in December. The event embraces the "Run Santa Run" theme, featuring Santa hats, holiday attire, Christmas candy, and Santa Claus on the course, accompanied by Christmas music. This concept draws from the broader Christmas in July tradition, a secondary, largely secular Christmas observance on July 25. This date aligns with winter in the Southern Hemisphere and serves as a summer novelty in the Northern Hemisphere. The phrase gained broader recognition through camp events, church services with carols and early gift-giving, and a Hollywood comedy sharing the same title.