About the Niagara PAL Santa Dash 5k
The course heads out from Old Falls Street to the Niagara Scenic Parkway, running along the upper river to the Old Stone Chimney before looping back along the Riverwalk and Riverway. It is a river-hugging route with scenery on one side most of the way, and costumed runners in Santa suits make it look unlike any other morning on that stretch.
Parking is free in a lot on First Street, just north of the Sheraton. The race is part of a broader series of holiday events happening in downtown Niagara Falls that weekend, so the area tends to have some life around it. Proceeds go to Niagara PAL Youth Programs.
Free race emails
Get the Weekly RunSesh
In for this one or still deciding, keep race season near Niagara Falls on your radar: a Monday look ahead and a Thursday rundown of the weekend's races.
Two helpful emails per week. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Distances & Start Times
3.1 Miles12/5/2026 09:00$30
3.1 Miles12/5/2026 09:00$15
1 Mile12/5/2026 09:00$10
1 Mile12/5/2026 09:00Free
Going for a Time?
Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.
Where to Stay
Traveling for this race? The map shows hotels and rentals in and around Niagara Falls — pan or zoom to compare what's nearby.
The map is provided by Stay22. If you book through it, RunSesh may earn a commission at no extra cost to you — it never affects the races we list.
