This year marked the second annual “Park Ridge Christmas Stroll,” and organizers expanded it by adding an early morning run event that also raised money for a local nonprofit.
The Santa Stroll on Dec. 13. featured a 5K run, one-mile stroll and a three-block “Jingle Jog” for kids age 8 and younger, all at Washington Elementary School. Along with the Christmas Stroll, the Santa Stroll was hosted by “STROLL Park Ridge,” a free monthly magazine for residents of the north suburban town.
Participants in the inaugural “Santa Stroll” event. wore holiday festive wear as they made their way around the course for the 5K, one-mile jog and “Jingle Jog” for kids 8 and under on Dec. 13 in Park Ridge (James C. Svehla/for Pioneer Press)
Participants in the inaugural “Santa Stroll” event. wore holiday festive wear as they made their way around the course for the 5K, one-mile jog and “Jingle Jog” for kids 8 and under on Dec. 13 in Park Ridge (James C. Svehla/for Pioneer Press)
A 5K run, one-mile jog and “Jingle Jog” for kids 8 and under took place as part of Stroll Christmas Dec. 13, 2025 in Park Ridge. (James C. Svehla/for Pioneer Press)
Dolly McCarthy, publisher of STROLL Park Ridge and organizer of the Santa Stroll, told Pioneer Press the inaugural event grew out of the Park Ridge Christmas Stroll, which the magazine first presented in 2024 and drew 3,000 attendees.
“We already had a really successful inaugural year of the Christmas Stroll,” McCarthy said. “We realized that year how people in our town, families were excited and hungry for an event that was all about the holiday season, celebrating together.”
According to McCarthy, the 2024 Christmas Stroll raised more than $6,000 for the Kiwanis, a service club she described as being “all about kids” – and of which she is a member.
The Santa Stroll was a fundraiser for The Harbour, a Park Ridge nonprofit community service organization that aids youth and young mothers experiencing homelessness.
“I’ve always wanted to do something special for The Harbour,” McCarthy said. “It’s a place that really helps build community.”
The Santa Stroll, which featured a route in Centennial Park, included appearances by Santa Claus and Buddy the Elf, bagels, cookies, a live DJ, giveaways from race sponsors and hot chocolate.
McCarthy said more than 200 people registered for the Santa Stroll, which was conceptualized and planned with STROLL Park Ridge interns from Maine South High School.
“That’s pretty darn good for our first year,” said McCarthy, who added that she hoped for at least 200 registrants. “We hope to start a new tradition in Park Ridge with Santa Stroll.”
Race participants received Santa hats and children who took part in the Jingle Jog received reindeer antlers, bells from Santa’s sleigh and Rudolph’s red noses.
Participants were encouraged to wear their holiday festive best, and McCarthy said a $25 area restaurant gift card was to be awarded to the best dressed adult and best dressed child.
“In Park Ridge we have a lot of fun together,” McCarthy said. “We are in the coldest month of the year … but this goes to show Park Ridgians will come out and support each other no matter what conditions are. We love to play together.”
The Santa Stroll, which had 7 a.m. check-in and 8 a.m. start times, was followed by a packed Saturday schedule at the Christmas Stroll in the Uptown neighborhood. That event benefitted Kiwanis of Park Ridge.
“We wanted to have an event for families to come and just experience the wonder and awesomeness of the season together as a community,” McCarthy said about the race and the overall daylong event.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelancer.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/21/park-ridge-christmas-stroll-adds-run-and-kids-jog/
