Join us for a festive 3.1-mile adventure through the stunning downtown Lake Charles! Whether you're a seasoned runner or just looking to enjoy a fun morning walk, this race is perfect for everyone. Picture yourself running past beautiful sights, feeling the holiday spirit in the air, and celebrating with fellow participants!
🎅 Festive Fun: Embrace the holiday spirit with your favorite holiday gear—wear your ugliest sweater, Santa hat, or reindeer antlers!
☕ Delicious Hot Chocolate: Treat yourself to a warm cup of hot chocolate after crossing the finish line—because you deserve it!
🏅 Historic Race Route: Enjoy a professionally measured course that offers the perfect blend of challenge and enjoyment. We are excited to mark the return of Santa's Hot Chocolate Run to our favorite route beginning at the Central School Arts & Humanities Center. The race route starts at the corner of Pujo St. and Kirkman St. and takes runners on a 3.1 mile route via Lakeshore Drive, Watkins St., 7th St. (past St. Louis High School), and Bank St. - ending at Pujo St. and Reid St.
📸 Festive Photo & Water Stations: We’re turning up the excitement with water and photo stations at four points along the route! Strike a pose and snap a selfie at our festive photo spots—it’s all about having fun and making memories!
🎄✨We encourage teams to register for Santa's Hot Chocolate Run. Wear your custom, company, or club shirt to show your support for literacy and lifelong learning! Team recognition includes the team with the most participants, fastest time, best Candy Land themed outfits, and most spirit.
🎠🎨 Kid Zone fun: One of the most popular elements of the event is our Kids Zone. It includes a variety of fun activities for kids of all ages beginning at 8:00AM.
🕵️♂️✨Scavenger hunt: Be curious! Participate in the free scavenger hunt around the four corners of the Central School. Take a leisurely walk around this great oak tree lined space - four times around equals one mile.
👟 Join the Community: Be part of a vibrant community event that brings everyone together for a morning of fitness and fun while supporting the Literacy Council of Southwest Louisiana.
Races Offered
Santa's Hot Chocolate Run
Dec 05, 2026
straighten
Distance —
5K
terrain
Type —
Running
timer
08:00
sell
$30.00
Weather History
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for December in Lake Charles.
thermostatTemperature
9.4° / 18.6°
wb_sunnyFeels like
6.9° / 17.0°
light_mode
Avg sunshine hours
7h 36m
water_drop
Avg rainfall
3.7 mm
ac_unit
Avg snowfall
—
air
Avg wind speed
11.4 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
78.4%
wb_twilight
Sunrise
08:01
nightlight
Sunset
18:15
About Lake Charles
Learn more about the host city, Lake Charles.
Lake Charles is the second-largest city in the Acadiana region of Louisiana, with 87,000 residents in 2022. It is well known for gaming and the great outdoors, culinary delights and rhythm and blues. There are over 75 annual festivals from the splendor of Mardi Gras to the swashbuckling days of the Contraband Days Pirate Festival, there is something going on nearly every weekend.