2026 Jingle Bell Run Season Kicks Off Nationwide 

ATLANTA (July 28, 2026) — The holidays are coming, and so is one of the season's most cherished traditions: the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run. Featuring the jingling of bells, festive winter attire and communities coming together for a cause, Jingle Bell Run is the Foundation’s signature peer-to-peer fundraising event and beloved holiday tradition. Taking place in communities across the country, Jingle Bell Run brings together longtime supporters and first-time participants alike for a morning of jingle bells, holiday costumes and community spirit — all in support of the nearly 60 million adults and children in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with arthritis. 

Jingle Bell Run is more than a race. It's a movement of people running, walking and celebrating together to fund lifechanging research, expand community programs and advance advocacy efforts on behalf of the 1 in 4 U.S. adults living with arthritis — as well as hundreds of thousands of children. 

“Jingle Bell Run is where holiday joy meets real purpose,” says Michael Privette, chief development officer, Arthritis Foundation. “Every jingle bell, every costume, every mile covered adds up to something bigger — funding for research that could change the course of this disease and support for families who need it most. Whether you have ‘jingled’ with us for years or you're lacing up for the first time, this is a tradition worth being part of.” 

The Jingle Bell Run Is a Winter Tradition, Reimagined Every Year 

For many participants, Jingle Bell Run has become as much a part of the winter season as the first snowfall. Teams of coworkers, families and friends return year after year — often in matching costumes, antlers and jingle-bell-laced running shoes — to celebrate the holidays while giving back to their communities. In many markets, the event has grown into a true local tradition, with multigenerational teams and longtime supporters marking the unofficial start of their holiday season on the Jingle Bell Run course. 

This year, the Arthritis Foundation is calling on the community of longtime supporters to come back stronger than ever — and inviting people who have never participated before to experience the fun for themselves. 

Returning participants and arthritis community members are encouraged to: 

• Register for their local Jingle Bell Run today 

• Fundraise to help fuel research, programs and advocacy 

• Recruit friends, family and coworkers to build (or rebuild) their teams 

• Show up and celebrate a tradition that makes a real difference 

New participants and members of the public are invited to: 

• Join an event that's as fun as it is meaningful — no running experience required 

• Walk or run alongside thousands nationwide in a festive, family-friendly atmosphere 

• Support a cause that touches nearly every family in the U.S., whether they know it or not 

• Discover a new holiday tradition to start with their own friends, family or workplaces 

Jingle Bell Run: Unique Holiday Fun With a Purpose 

Jingle Bell Run participants can expect the signature elements that have made the event a holiday favorite for years: costume contests, holiday music, team photos, and of course, plenty of jingle bells. But beneath the celebration lies a serious mission — every registration and every dollar raised helps power the Arthritis Foundation's work to find better treatments and, ultimately, a cure; to support people living with arthritis and their families through local and national programs; and to advocate for policies that improve access to care. 

“You won't find another 5K quite like it,” adds Mandy Couch, the Foundation’s national special events director. “It's a rare event where you can wear a costume, ring a jingle bell and know that you're directly funding research and support for people living with arthritis. That combination — pure holiday fun with real purpose — is what keeps people coming back year after year, and what we hope will inspire so many more to join us for the first time.” 

Jingle Bell Run National Sponsor Support 

The Arthritis Foundation extends its sincere gratitude to this year's national Jingle Bell Run sponsors, whose generous support makes this event possible in communities across the country: 

2026 JBR Signature Sponsor

“We are deeply grateful to our national sponsors for standing behind this tradition and helping us bring Jingle Bell Run to communities nationwide,” says Privette. “Their support helps ensure that every participant's holiday fun translates into meaningful progress for the arthritis community.” 

How to Get Involved in Jingle Bell Run 

Jingle Bell Run events will take place in cities across the country throughout the holiday season. Individuals, families and teams are encouraged to register early, set a fundraising goal and invite others to join their teams. 

To find a Jingle Bell Run near you, register, start a team or donate, visit arthritis.org/jbr. 

About the Arthritis Foundation 
The Arthritis Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the fight against arthritis — the nation’s #1 cause of disability. Through groundbreaking scientific research, patient-centered programs, advocacy at all levels of government and robust community engagement, the Foundation empowers people to live their best lives while relentlessly pursuing a cure. With a presence in communities nationwide, we amplify the voices of those affected and work to drive lasting change. Learn more at arthritis.org.