Santa Claus with a Cause 5K/10K
📅 Saturday, December 12th, 2026
📍 Bolsa Chica State Beach – Lot 25, Huntington Beach, CA
Get ready for the ultimate Santa celebration at Bolsa Chica State Beach!
This isn’t just a race, it’s a full-blown Christmas experience.
You’ll run along the beach surrounded by falling snow, live carolers, festive music, and holiday cheer. Every runner receives their choice of a full Santa suit, cozy Santa beanie, or custom-designed race shirt, plus one of the biggest, most festive finisher Santa medal designed to double as a Christmas ornament.
And the best part? This race GIVES BACK. Proceeds from the event help gift staple goods, schooling, and hope to villages in Africa and Nepal, as well as supporting local health initiatives.
🎄 Race Day Fun & Schedule
Arrive early and soak up the holiday spirit. There’s so much happening before the race even starts!
6:30 – 8:15 AM: Registration and bib pick-up open at Lot 25. Walk-up registrations are welcome, so bring your friends!
7:00 – 9:00 AM: The REAL Santa 🎅 will be on-site for festive selfie photos (use hashtag #carenwareevents or tag us caren.ware.events). Lil Dickens Carolers will be singing, and snow will be falling to set the perfect holiday mood.
8:00 AM: Kids take center stage with the Ho Ho Ho Dashes (200m, 400m, ½ mile, and 1 mile). Cheer on the little elves as they dash through the holiday magic!
8:15 AM Holiday Costume Contest
8:20 AM: Warm up with the Penguin Macarena! Everyone is invited to join in. Best Costume and Best Christmas Spirit awards are given out here, so come dressed to impress.
8:30 AM: MASS START for the 5K & 10K! Your official time begins when you cross under the start arch, but you must cross by 8:40 AM to be officially timed.
9:20 AM – 5K Awards Ceremony
9:40 AM – 10K Awards Ceremony
11:00 AM - Expo Festivities End
🎁 What’s Included
Your registration comes packed with holiday cheer! Every participant receives chip-timed results for the 5K or 10K, so you can track your performance. You’ll also get to choose your festive swag, whether you want to run in a full Santa suit, stay cozy in a Santa beanie, or sport a custom-designed Santa race shirt.
When you cross the finish line, you’ll receive one of the biggest custom Santa-at-the-beach medal that doubles as a Christmas ornament to hang proudly on your tree.
Throughout the morning, enjoy a lively holiday atmosphere with falling snow, live carolers, games, and photo ops with the REAL Santa. Prizes will be awarded for Best Christmas Spirit, Best Costume, and even Best Dressed Doggie, so bring your creativity and holiday cheer.
And don’t leave hungry, we’ll have food vendors on-site serving tamales, tacos, specialty coffee, cookies, fresh fruit and more. Plan on enjoying breakfast by the beach with us after your run!
And for the competitors, we have three-deep age division awards in five-year increments — from ages 1-10 all the way through 85+.
📅 Early Packet Pick-Up- Optional
Race Day Pick-Up: 6:30 – 8:15 AM at Lot 25
Early Pick-Up: TBD
(No ID required, and you may pick up for others.)
🚗 Parking & Drop-Off
Bolsa Chica State Beach Lot 25 parking is $15 per vehicle (cash or state park pass recommended). The main gate opens at 6:00 AM — use the main entrance only.
Drop-off is available at the corner of Warner & PCH. Free public parking is also available in Sunset Beach (behind Jack in the Box) if you’d like to walk in.
Restrooms
Restrooms are open and located on each end of lot 25.
Strollers
Strollers are welcome! Please stay to the right and use at your own risk. Only registered participants with a bib will receive a finisher medal. Be sure your bib is worn on the front and visible to finish line staff.
Pets:
Friendly Pets are allowed and must be leashed at all times and accompanied by a Run /Walk participant. Please use a leash of 5 ft or less, for the safety of all pets and runners. Line up towards the back of the pack at the start and keep to the side of the race field on the course.
Weather
Rain or shine, the event will go on
🎥 More Than Just a Race
Santa Claus with a Cause is the race that GIFTS BACK. Your participation helps provide staple goods, education, and training to those in need around the world.
📺 Watch our global giving journey: YouTube: Caren.Ware.Events
📚 Visit the Caren Ware booth on race day for book signings of Finding Fit — an inspiring story about running through life’s challenges.
💡 Register today, join the celebration, and make this holiday season unforgettable, for you AND for others.