Jingle Bell Jog returns to Tift Park on Saturday, December 5, 2026, marking its 38th anniversary as the cherished kickoff for family holiday festivities in Southwest Georgia. This beloved community event features three distinct courses: a festive 1-mile fun walk and two races — a spirited 5K run/walk and an invigorating 10K run. Participants will gather at Tift Park, located on North Monroe Street (1300 N. Monroe St.), to begin their journey through the scenic streets of Albany GA. The event's new start times are as follows: the 10K starts promptly at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 5K at 8:45 a.m., and finally, the fun walk sets off at 9:00 a.m. Race participants can look forward to collecting their race packets ahead of time from Phoebe Healthworks (311 W. 3rd Ave — enter via Jackson Street) during designated hours on December 3 (from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and December 4 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). This year’s Jingle Bell Jog will not only celebrate the joy of running but also raise funds for Phoebe's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, supporting the hospital’s efforts in helping infants thrive. Competitors are encouraged to mark their calendars early and sign up soon to secure discounted entry fees. The event promises a rewarding experience with awards given out three-deep across various age categories for both 5K and 10K participants: Under 5, 6-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, and those aged 75 & Up. For additional information or assistance, interested runners can reach out to the Phoebe Foundation at (229) 312-4483.
Races Offered
1 Mile Fun Run/Walk
Dec 05, 2026
straighten
Distance —
1.6K
terrain
Type —
Others,
Running
timer
00:00
sell
$30.00
10k
Dec 05, 2026
straighten
Distance —
10K
terrain
Type —
Others,
Running
timer
00:00
sell
$35.00
5k
Dec 05, 2026
straighten
Distance —
5K
terrain
Type —
Others,
Running
timer
00:00
sell
$30.00
Weather History
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for December in Albany.
thermostatTemperature
6.2° / 16.8°
wb_sunnyFeels like
3.1° / 14.4°
light_mode
Avg sunshine hours
6h 56m
water_drop
Avg rainfall
2.8 mm
ac_unit
Avg snowfall
—
air
Avg wind speed
10.3 km/h (Light breeze)
opacity
Sweat loss rate
Low
terrain
Course conditions
Firm and slightly soft
sunny
Max UV Index
Low (2.0)
humidity_mid
Humidity
72.6%
wb_twilight
Sunrise
08:28
nightlight
Sunset
18:35
About Albany
Learn more about the host city, Albany.
Albany is a city of 72,000 people (2019) in Dougherty County in Georgia's Plantation Midlands region. It is part of the Black Belt, the extensive area in the Deep South of cotton plantations. During 1961–1962, African Americans in Albany played a prominent role in the Civil Rights Movement, founding the Albany Movement, a desegregation and voters' rights coalition formed in 1961. Ray Charles, the singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer, was born here, and is remembered in a park with a statue.
