When I think about what it means to run happy (one of my favorite mantras from Brooks Running), there’s nothing that brings joy to my miles quite like running during the holidays. I love running in the evenings while looking at Christmas lights and listening to an upbeat holiday running playlist. My dad and I did this often last year, and it’s one of my fondest memories of running with him. Exploring neighborhood light displays while logging miles is also a great way to make your run fly by and mentally shift your focus away from any discomfort, especially during a tempo run or speed workout.

To help you get in the run happy holiday spirit, my uptempo holiday running playlist will give you some extra pep in your step.

runladylike.com’s Run Happy Holiday Running Playlist

1. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Andy Williams
2. Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season: Andy Williams
3. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas: Johnny Mathis
4. Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!: Dean Martin
5. All I Want for Christmas is You: Michael Buble
6. Little Saint Nick: The Beach Boys
7. Step into Christmas: Elton John
8. Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree: Brenda Lee
9. We Need a Little Christmas: Percy Faith & His Orchestra & Chorus
10. Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town: Bruce Springsteen
11. Santa Bring My Baby Back (to Me): Elvis Presley
12. My Favorite Things: Tony Bennett
13. Sleigh Ride: Harry Connick, Jr.
14. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus: The Jackson 5
15. Someday at Christmas: Stevie Wonder

What festive songs would you add to my holiday running playlist?