Runners across the United Kingdom can pull on their trainers for a festive tradition this Thursday, as the annual Christmas Day parkrun returns. Hundreds of locations will host the free, timed 5k event, offering a healthy and communal start to the holiday celebrations.
A Festive Tradition Two Decades in the Making
The Christmas Day parkrun has a rich history, deeply embedded in the movement's origins. The very first parkrun took place in October 2004 when founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt gathered 13 runners in Bushy Park, Teddington. Merely two months later, the inaugural Christmas Day event was held, establishing a beloved yearly custom.
Over two decades on, what began in a London park has blossomed into a global phenomenon. The parkrun now operates in 23 countries worldwide, including Poland, Australia, and South Africa, with a staggering over 10 million participants to date. In the UK alone, nearly 1,400 different locations have hosted events.
Community and Health at the Heart of the Movement
While the Saturday morning 9am run is the weekly staple, special bonus events like the Christmas Day parkrun highlight the initiative's community spirit. Founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt has spoken passionately about parkrun's enduring mission to bring people together and improve public health.
"Looking to the future, we hope parkrun will continue to contribute to national and global health," Sinton-Hewitt said last year. "The dream is that we continue to expand in more countries, in every city, town, village across the globe – where they need us the most."
Where to Find a Christmas Day parkrun Near You
This year's Christmas Day event, falling on a Thursday, will see hundreds of venues open across the UK and Channel Islands. Below is the comprehensive list of confirmed locations, as per the official parkrun website.
Channel Islands: Guernsey parkrun, Jersey parkrun.
East Midlands: Alvaston parkrun, Beeston parkrun, Bestwood Village parkrun, Black Rocks parkrun, Boston parkrun, Braunstone parkrun, Colwick parkrun, Conkers parkrun, Corby parkrun, Daventry parkrun, Forest Rec parkrun, Glossop parkrun, Hastings High School parkrun, Lincoln parkrun, Long Eaton parkrun, Market Harborough parkrun, Melton Mowbray parkrun, Monsal Trail parkrun, Newark parkrun, Pavilion Gardens parkrun, Poolsbrook parkrun, Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School parkrun, Rosliston parkrun, Rushcliffe parkrun, Thonock Lane Farm parkrun, University of Northampton parkrun, Vicar Water Country Park parkrun, Watermeadows parkrun.
East of England: Basildon parkrun, Bedford parkrun, Billericay parkrun, Brandon Country Park parkrun, Burnham-on-Crouch parkrun, Bury St Edmunds parkrun, Cassiobury parkrun, Castle Park parkrun, Chalkwell Beach parkrun, Chelmsford Central parkrun, Chilton Fields parkrun, Christchurch Park parkrun, Colchester Castle parkrun, Coldham’s Common parkrun, Colney Lane parkrun, Downham Market Academy parkrun, Ferry Meadows parkrun, Gadebridge parkrun, Great Denham parkrun, Great Notley parkrun, Great Yarmouth North Beach parkrun, Gunpowder parkrun, Harleston Magpies parkrun, Harlow parkrun, Harwich parkrun, Highwoods parkrun, Houghton Hall parkrun, Huntingdon parkrun, Kesgrave parkrun, King’s Lynn parkrun, Luton Wardown parkrun, Maldon Prom parkrun, Mildenhall Hub parkrun, Norwich parkrun, Panshanger parkrun, Rendlesham Forest parkrun, Rickmansworth parkrun, Roding Valley parkrun, South Woodham Ferrers parkrun, Stevenage parkrun, Thetford parkrun, Wickford Memorial parkrun, Wisbech parkrun.
Greater London: Avery parkrun, Barking parkrun, Beckenham Place parkrun, Beckton parkrun, Bethlem Royal Hospital parkrun, Bexley parkrun, Brockwell junior parkrun, Bromley parkrun, Bushy parkrun, Canons Park parkrun, Catford parkrun, Charlton parkrun, Clapham Common parkrun, Crane Park parkrun, Dulwich parkrun, Finsbury parkrun, Fulham Palace parkrun, Gladstone parkrun, Grovelands parkrun, Gunnersbury parkrun, Hackney Marshes parkrun, Harrow Lodge junior parkrun, Highbury Fields parkrun, Hilly Fields parkrun, Hoblingwell parkrun, Lloyd parkrun, Lordship Recreation Ground parkrun, Northala Fields parkrun, Oak Hill parkrun, Old Deer Park parkrun, Peckham Rye parkrun, Richmond parkrun, Riddlesdown parkrun, Roundshaw Downs parkrun, South Norwood parkrun, Stockley Country parkrun, Sunny Hill parkrun, Sutcliffe parkrun, Wanstead Flats parkrun.
Isle of Man: Nobles parkrun.
North East England: Albert parkrun, Ashington Community Woodland parkrun, Blyth Links parkrun, Darlington South Park parkrun, Druridge Bay parkrun, Durham parkrun, Elemore Park parkrun, Gateshead parkrun, Hackworth parkrun, Hartlepool parkrun, Herrington Country parkrun, Jesmond Dene parkrun, Leazes parkrun, Redcar parkrun, Sedgefield parkrun, South Shields parkrun, The Demesnes parkrun, The Pastures parkrun.
North West England: Alderley Park parkrun, Alexandra parkrun, Barrow parkrun, Black Combe parkrun, Blackpool parkrun, Bolton parkrun, Bramhall parkrun, Carlisle parkrun, Clitheroe Castle parkrun, Congleton parkrun, Crewe parkrun, Delamere parkrun, Ellesmere Port parkrun, Ford parkrun, Heaton parkrun, Hyde parkrun, Hyndburn parkrun, Keswick parkrun, Lancaster parkrun, Macclesfield parkrun, Marple parkrun, Maryport Prom parkrun, Northwich parkrun, Oldham parkrun, Ormskirk parkrun, Peel parkrun, Penrith parkrun, Preston parkrun, Rothay Park parkrun, South Manchester parkrun, Southport parkrun, Stamford Park parkrun, St Helens parkrun, Warrington parkrun, Watergrove parkrun, Whitehaven parkrun, Widnes parkrun, Wilmslow parkrun, Witton parkrun, Worsley Woods parkrun.
Northern Ireland: Waterworks parkrun, Wallace parkrun, Valley parkrun, Stormont parkrun, Portrush junior parkrun, Newry Greenway parkrun, Lurgan parkrun, Lower Drummans parkrun, Loughmacrory parkrun, Garvagh Forest parkrun, Ecos parkrun, Derry City parkrun, Comber parkrun, Bangor parkrun.
Scotland: West Links parkrun, Wallaceneuk parkrun, Victoria parkrun, University of Stirling parkrun, Troon parkrun, Torvean parkrun, Tollcross parkrun, Stonehaven parkrun, St Andrews parkrun, Springburn parkrun, Portobello parkrun, Pollok parkrun, Polkemmet parkrun, Perth parkrun, Oriam parkrun, Nairn Links parkrun, Montrose parkrun, Lochend Woods parkrun, Livingston parkrun, Linwood parkrun, Largs Prom parkrun, Kirkcaldy parkrun, Jessiefield parkrun, Holyrood parkrun, Hazlehead parkrun, Hay Lodge parkrun, Greenock parkrun, Ganavan Sands parkrun, Falkirk parkrun, Erskine Waterfront parkrun, Ellon parkrun, Elgin parkrun, Edinburgh parkrun, Drumpellier parkrun, Dean Castle Country Park parkrun, Cuningar Loop parkrun, Crathes Castle parkrun, Camperdown parkrun, Ayr parkrun, Aviemore parkrun, Auldcathie District parkrun, Agnew parkrun, Aberdeen parkrun.
South East England: Worthing parkrun, Woodley parkrun, Witney parkrun, Winchester parkrun, Whitstable parkrun, Whiteley parkrun, Walmer and Deal Seafront parkrun, University Parks parkrun, Uckfield parkrun, Tilgate parkrun, Southsea parkrun, Southampton parkrun, Seaford Beach parkrun, Rushmoor parkrun, Royal Tunbridge Wells parkrun, Reigate Priory parkrun, Reading parkrun, Queen Elizabeth parkrun, Prospect parkrun, Preston Park parkrun (Brighton), Peacehaven parkrun, Nonsuch parkrun, Netley Abbey parkrun, Mole Valley parkrun, Milton Keynes parkrun, Meon Valley Trail parkrun (Wickham), Medina I.O.W. parkrun, Margate parkrun, Maidstone River Park parkrun, Maidenhead parkrun, Lymington Woodside parkrun, Littlehampton Prom parkrun, Linford Wood parkrun, Leybourne Lakes parkrun, Lee-on-the-Solent parkrun, Itchen Valley Country parkrun, Horsham parkrun, Homewood parkrun, Hogmoor Inclosure parkrun, Higginson parkrun (Marlow), Hastings parkrun, Guildford parkrun, Greenham Common parkrun (Newbury), Great Salterns parkrun, Great Lines parkrun (Medway), Frimley Lodge parkrun, Fordingbridge Recreation Ground parkrun, Folkestone parkrun, Fareham parkrun, Edenbrook Country parkrun, Eastleigh parkrun, Eastbourne parkrun, Downs Link parkrun (Shoreham-by-Sea), Dinton Pastures parkrun, Didcot parkrun, Cranleigh parkrun, Clair parkrun, Church Mead parkrun, Chichester parkrun, Broadwater parkrun, Bracknell parkrun, Bognor Regis parkrun, Bicester parkrun, Basingstoke parkrun, Banbury parkrun, Aylesbury parkrun, Ashford parkrun, Andover parkrun.
South West England: Wotton parkrun, Woolacombe Dunes parkrun, Weymouth parkrun, Trelissick parkrun, Torbay Velopark parkrun, Tidworth parkrun, The Great Field parkrun, Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun, Tamar Trails parkrun, Street parkrun, St Mary’s parkrun, Sharpham Estate parkrun, Seven Fields parkrun, Seaton parkrun, Salisbury parkrun, Quakers Walk parkrun, Poole parkrun, Plymvalley parkrun, Penrose parkrun, Marlborough Common parkrun, Lydney parkrun, Longrun Meadow parkrun, Heartlands parkrun, Exeter Riverside parkrun, Chipping Sodbury parkrun, Chippenham parkrun, Cheltenham parkrun, Central parkrun (Plymouth), Brickfields Park parkrun, Bolberry Down parkrun, Blandford parkrun, Blaise Castle parkrun, Bideford parkrun, Bath Skyline parkrun, Ashton Court parkrun.
Wales: Y Promenâd parkrun, Tremorfa parkrun, Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve parkrun, Ruthin Memorial Playing Fields parkrun, Rogiet parkrun, Riverside Walk parkrun, Riverfront parkrun, Pontypool parkrun, Pont y Bala parkrun, Nova Prestatyn parkrun, Newport parkrun, Milford Waterfront parkrun, Llyn Llech Owain parkrun, Haverfordwest parkrun, Hafan Pwllheli parkrun, Gnoll parkrun, Cwmbran parkrun, Cardiff parkrun, Bryn Bach parkrun, Brynaman parkrun, Barry Island parkrun, Aberystwyth parkrun, Aberdare parkrun.
West Midlands: Worcester parkrun, Warwick Racecourse parkrun, Walsall Arboretum parkrun, The Wammy parkrun, Telford parkrun, Tamworth Castle Grounds parkrun, Sutton Park parkrun, Shrewsbury parkrun, Severn Valley Country parkrun, Rugby parkrun, Perton Playing Fields parkrun, Oaklands parkrun, Leamington parkrun, Hereford parkrun, Hanley parkrun, Evesham parkrun, East Park parkrun, Coventry parkrun, Cannon Hill parkrun, Cannock Chase parkrun, Brueton parkrun, Beacon parkrun, Babbs Mill parkrun, Alderford Lake parkrun.
Yorkshire and Humber: York parkrun, Woodlands parkrun (Scarborough), Woodhouse Moor parkrun, Withernsea Promenade parkrun, Wetherby parkrun, Wakefield Thornes parkrun, The Cinder Track parkrun (Whitby), Skipton parkrun, Sheffield Castle parkrun, Selby parkrun, Scunthorpe parkrun, Sandall Park parkrun, Roundhay parkrun, Rothwell parkrun, Roberts Park parkrun, Pontefract parkrun, Penistone parkrun, Northallerton parkrun, Myrtle parkrun, Millfield parkrun, Lister Park parkrun (Bradford), Hull parkrun, Huddersfield parkrun, Horton Park parkrun, Harrogate junior parkrun, Harrogate parkrun, Halifax parkrun, Goole parkrun, East Holmes Field parkrun, Dewsbury parkrun, Dalby Forest parkrun, Conyngham Hall parkrun, Concord parkrun (Sheffield), Cliffe Castle parkrun, Cleethorpes parkrun, Chevin Forest parkrun, Centre Vale parkrun, Bramley parkrun, Barnsley parkrun, Armley parkrun.
Participants are encouraged to check their local parkrun's specific page on the official website for any last-minute updates on timing or weather-related changes. Whether you're a seasoned runner or a first-time walker, the Christmas Day parkrun offers a welcoming and invigorating way to celebrate the holiday.
