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Bright Lights 5K & Fun Run

A run through the Gardens at Stowe holiday lights display

November 26, 2025 - 6:00 PM
The night before Thanksgiving!

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Ditch your normal turkey trot and start a new family tradition this year! We are pumped for the third annual Bright Lights 5K and Fun Run - a race through the Daniel Stowe Conservancy's Holiday Lights display.

Race registration includes a race bib, custom ornament (1 Mile) OR finisher medal (5K), a shot at a custom top 3 race medal, and free entry into the Holidays at the Garden lights display for a sneak peek party from 6pm-9pm before we open to the general public for the holiday season! Race shirts are available for purchase up until November 13th!

Get your holiday run in the day BEFORE Thanksgiving so you can spend the whole day enjoying food and family and rubbing it in everyone's face that you got to see the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Holiday Lights before they did!

Race Day Schedule:

  • 4:00pm - 5:30pm - Packet Pickup in the Grand Hall
  • 5:50pm - Entry Gates to the Garden Close
  • 6:00pm - 5K
  • 6:20ish pm - Garden Gates Reopen (once all runners are safely off the entry road)
  • 6:45pm - 1-ish Mile Fun Run
  • 7:00pm - 9:00pm - Holiday Lights Sneak Peek After Party

*Children 2 and under are free. All others wishing to get into the Holiday Lights sneak peek after party must register for the 5K or 1 Mile Fun Run.

*This is a multi-surface race and will take place on paved roads, grass fields, natural trails and garden pathways.

*Bright Lights 5K and Fun Run is not a "stroller friendly" course but is doable with a running or hiking stroller (you're definitely not setting a stroller PR for sure).

Registration Policies

  1. There are NO refunds for this race if you did not enroll in the Refund Protection Program. Click here for transfer instructions.
  2. Race Management reserves the right to cancel or modify the event due to unfavorable conditions
  3. Registration fees are not refundable in the event of cancellation due to "Acts of God".

Contact information

Event contact
Rachel Andrea

Registration fees

Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees

5K

Price changes in 25 days 3 hours

    1. Closed
      Sep 22 – Oct 5
    2. $49.65

      Early Bird Registration

      Oct 6 – Oct 26
    3. $60.25

      Regular Registration

      Now registering Oct 27 – Nov 23
      Register for 5K
    4. $70.85

      Last Chance Pricing

      Nov 24 – Nov 26

1-ish Mile Fun Run

Price changes in 25 days 3 hours

    1. Closed
      Sep 22 – Oct 5
    2. $28.45

      Early Bird Registration

      Oct 6 – Oct 26
    3. $33.75

      Regular Registration

      Now registering Oct 27 – Nov 23
      Register for 1-ish Mile Fun Run
    4. $39.05

      Last Chance Pricing

      Nov 24 – Nov 26