REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED!
The 14th annual Light the Way 5K Race is set for November 13, 2026 Help us celebrate over a decade of fun and memories by joining us to run or walk!
For the 2024 Light the Way 5K, the event course was re-certified to provide the best race experience. The race start location next to Dollywood’s toll booths allowed for a more streamlined course route; more than half of the course for this year's race again will be off-park, first utilizing Dollywood's tram road and then concluding the race through Dollywood's 6 million Christmas lights. The course will be cleared of all participants at 12:30 am. If you are not sure that you can complete the 5K in 90 minutes without stopping , we highly recommend that you register for the 1-mile Fun Walk.
ROOM BLOCK UPDATE
Information Coming Soon
There is nothing quite like Dollywood at Christmas. Experience a nighttime run in the nation’s most beautiful holiday park during the award-winning Smoky Mountain Christmas festival by registering for the 13th annual Light the Way 5K! It’s never too early to get in the Christmas spirit, so register now for the 14th annual Light the Way 5K to take place at Dollywood Friday, November 13 at 11 p.m.
We are excited to announce that this year’s race is being facilitated by the Knoxville Track Club (ktc.org). KTC will chip-time the event and work with the event team to provide runners with the best experience possible.
Medals will be awarded to every participant in Light the Way 5K 2026 and will be distributed at the finish line. Awards will be presented to the top three overall finishers for both men and women and all age groups.
Online registration is encouraged for Light the Way 5K as the race is limited to 2,000 participants. The registration fee is $50 until June 1 and $55 from June 2 through November 13. For information on group registration, email info@keepsevierbeautiful.org.
PACKET PICK-UP
Information Coming Soon
STROLLERS ARE NOT ALLOWED!
Light The Way 5K event will take place rain or shine. However, the safety of our participants, volunteers, and spectators is our top priority.
In the event of lightning, severe weather, or unsafe conditions, the Light The Way 5K Management Team, in consultation with local law enforcement and emergency services, may delay, modify, or cancel the race.
Delays may occur to allow weather to clear before resuming safely.
Course modifications may be made as necessary to ensure participant safety.
If the event is cancelled in its entirety due to severe weather or other circumstances beyond the control of the organizers, no refunds will be issued.
If the race is postponed or rescheduled to a new date, all entries will be automatically transferred to the new date and no refunds will be issued.
No refunds will be given for weather-related delays, partial cancellations, or early termination of the event once it has started.
Communication: All important race updates, including weather alerts or schedule changes, will be distributed through email and text message notifications. Participants are encouraged to opt in to race messaging alerts during registration and to check spam or junk folders to ensure they are receiving all official event communications.
Proceeds from the event benefit Keep Sevier Beautiful (KSB) and the Share It Forward (SIF) program at Dollywood. KSB, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, is a volunteer-based organization which focuses on waste reduction/recycling, litter prevention and beautifying public spaces through education and community-based programs. KSB’s goal is to protect the natural beauty of the area that millions of visitors come to see each year. SIF is a non-profit organization to serve The Dollywood Company employees and their families through a variety of quality programs. SIF programming is funded primarily through employee donations which are matched dollar for dollar by The Dollywood Company and, up to specified limits, by the shareholders of Herschend Family Entertainment, the park’s operating partner.
If you are interested in becoming an event sponsor, please contact info@keepsevierbeautiful.org. For a list of benefits, see our Sponsorhip packages.
We’re looking for a variety of sponsors to make this event possible.