Bright Lights 5K & 1-Mile Walk - Evansville

Bright Lights 5K and 1 Mile Walk

The Bright Lights event stages a running and walking experience through Garvin Park's holiday light displays on December 2, 2026. Proceeds benefit Easterseals and support inclusive early education and therapy for local children and adults with disabilities. For the evening the park is open exclusively to runners, walkers, and guests using wheelchairs or other mobility equipment; vehicles, carriages, and pets are not permitted, and service dogs are welcome.

Event formats

• 5K run
• 1 mile walk

The 5K course covers three loops around Garvin Park (about 2.88 miles) and passes the park's main lighted attractions. A water stop is located near the end of the first loop. Walkers following the 5K route are asked to maintain a pace that allows runners to pass and to keep to the parking and designated walker areas rather than the race route.

Admission and logistics include a low-cost community walk admission and separate race registration tiers with shirt availability tied to early registration deadlines. Packet pickup is available the day before at a local fitness shop and on event day near the starting area. Awards are given to overall male and female finishers and to top finishers in age group categories. Food trucks are listed as part of the evening's offerings. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

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