Bright Lights 5K & 1 Mile Walk

🎉 Event Overview

Join us for Bright Lights 5K & 1-Mile Walk for Easterseals! This is the only night when Ritzy's Fantasy of Lights will be closed to vehicle and carriage traffic and open only for runners, walkers, and people using mobility equipment!

📅 Date and Location

Date: 2026-12-02

Location: 23 Don Mattingly Way, Evansville, IN

Learn more about the race

🚫 Event Regulations

• No carriage rides: There will be no carriage rides on this night.
• No dogs: NO dogs are allowed at the event (except for service dogs).
• 5K Participants: If you participate in the 5K, you can enjoy the 1-Mile walk at no additional cost!

🅿️ Parking

• Parking Location: Please park in the lot next to Bosse Field or the overflow area across the street on Heidelbach Ave.
• No Parking: No parking is allowed inside Garvin Park.

🏃‍♂️ Course

• 5K Overview: The 5K (2.88 miles) consists of three loops around Garvin Park.
• Start Location: Just off Morgan Ave inside Garvin Park, run/walk at the corner of Main Street and Morgan Avenue, go toward the 7 lighted trees, turn right, and follow the light show route.
• Course Details: The course loops around the back of the park, passing all lighted attractions. A water stop is located near the end of loop one.
• Finishing: After the third lap, take a sharp right at the 7 lighted trees and head back to the Main Street and Morgan Avenue starting point. Medals will be given to the first 400 finishers.
• Walkers participating in the 5K: Please keep a pace to complete the race within an hour. Please allow runners to pass you.

🏆 Awards

• Overall Winners: Overall Male and Female winners will be awarded.
• Age Group Awards: Awards will also be given to the top two males and females in each of the following age groups: 1-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+.

📦 Packet Pickup

• Advance Pickup: To reduce traffic on race night, please pick up your bib and shirt at Ultimate Fit (1412 S. Green River Road, Evansville) on Tuesday, December 2, from 3:30-6:30 PM.
• Pickup for Others: You may pick up packets for others as well.
• Event Night Pickup: If you cannot make it to Ultimate Fit, pickup will be available at Garvin Park on event night, Wednesday, December 3, from 3:30-5:30 PM at the Run/Walk tent near the starting line.

✨ New for 2025!

FINISHER MEDALS FOR THE FIRST 400 to cross the finish line! We know everyone wants one and we want you to have one too!

📣 Stay Tuned!

Please come back for MORE exciting updates to be posted for our 10th year! We are still working on the best year yet!