Lights in the Parkway 5K

About the Event

The Lights in the Parkway 5K is a fun-filled event and great way to kick-off the holiday season with the family. This festive 5K takes place on the Wednesday evening prior to Thanksgiving at the Lehigh Parkway in Allentown. Runners (and walkers) get the opportunity to preview the lights display up close and personal by foot. After the race, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies as we cheer on the runners finishing up.

Registration for the Lights in the Parkway 5K includes a great view of the Lights in the Parkway holiday light display, a long-sleeved event t-shirt and hot chocolate and cookies after the race. Shirts are guaranteed if registered by November 6th. We will also be printing your name on your race bib if you register by October 29th – so don’t wait!

THIS EVENT HAS SOLD OUT 5 YEARS IN A ROW - CAPACITY IS LIMITED

Registration for the race sells out at 1,200 runners.

Parking for the event is at a premium, so we suggest that you plan on arriving early and carpooling as much as possible. There is no parking within the Parkway. All cars must enter the area off of Lehigh Street to Vultee. We ask that you please keep moving and wait until one of our staff directs you to park. This allows us to maximize the use of space and makes it easier for everyone. All cars will park facing the same direction on both sides of the road. There is a decent walk to get to the starting line, please plan accordingly.

The race is chip-timed by Second Wind Race Timing. Ornaments will be given out to the top 50 finishers in 3 categories (men, women and kids 12 and under) —-Ornaments are given out based on chip time. You must pick up your ornament after the race, they will not be shipped.

Rain/Snow Date: TBD, This only comes into play in extreme circumstances when the city closes the park.

Races Offered

Lights in the Parkway 5K

Nov 25, 2026

straighten

Distance — 3.1 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

19:00

sell

$40.00

Weather History

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for November in Allentown.

thermostat Temperature

2.4° / 11.5°

wb_sunny Feels like

-1.7° / 7.4°

light_mode Avg sunshine hours

7h 13m

water_drop Avg rainfall

2.3 mm

ac_unit Avg snowfall

—

air Avg wind speed

11.5 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

67.1%

wb_twilight Sunrise

07:48

nightlight Sunset

17:44

About Allentown

Learn more about the host city, Allentown.

Allentown is the largest city in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, the county seat and largest city in Lehigh County, and the third-largest city in Pennsylvania after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with a population of 125,845 as of 2020.