Prepare to don yourself in a red cloak and practice your "ho ho ho" for the Santa Run in Bern. This event is all about having fun with family and friends and getting into the holiday spirit for Christmas in Switzerland.
Be Samichlaus for a day at the Santa Run
Dressing up as Santa Claus to walk, run and belly-laugh your way through the city of Bern is what the Santa Run is all about. Santa outfits are compulsory, of course, and are provided at the event. However, you could also choose to come dressed in your own Santa costume, which will reduce your entry fee by 10 Swiss francs.
The Santa Run route starts on the Bundesplatz in front of the parliament building and takes you through the medieval city centre of Bern’s old town. You can do one lap or two laps of the 2,7 km route, it all depends on how far you want to go and whether you want to take a leisurely stroll or sprint.
Photo courtesy of Santarun Bern
Bag yourself a world record
Take part in 2024 and you could share a world record with 5.000 other Santas, if the organisers of Santa Run get their way! This year they are aiming to be crowned the biggest Santa Run in the world, and you can help make that happen.
The Bundesplatz festival grounds will open at 5.30pm for everyone to pick up their Santa outfits. The race will start between 7.30pm and 8pm.
After the run, the celebrations begin with some mulled wine to warm runners' bellies. There will also be a verse contest and an award ceremony followed by a DJ playing at the finish line to keep your night merry. This year, to hopefully make sure there's room for the record-breaking number of participants, the party is being held on Bundesplatz and Bärenplatz!
While the festival grounds close at 11pm, there’s an afterparty at Bierhübeli for those who aren’t ready for the joyous night to end.
Getting to the Santa Run
With the run taking place in the heart of Bern, it is recommended that participants use public transportation. The start and finish lines are just a five-minute walk from Bern train station. If you are driving to the Santa Run, you can use the parking garages in the area as there are no designated parking spaces for the race.
Photo courtesy of Santarun Bern
Register for the Santa Run
The entry fee for the Santa Run includes a Santa outfit, a souvenir gift and a cheery atmosphere. Ticket prices differ depending on when you register, starting at 44 Swiss francs for an adult ticket. You can register and find more details about prices on the Santa Run Bern website.