parkrun in winter, every Saturday.

Quick answer. Yes. parkrun's free 5k events take place every Saturday morning all year round, at 9am in England and Wales and 9:30am in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Rain on its own is not one of the reasons parkrun lists for cancelling: teams cancel "where participant safety is at risk or the course is unavailable", such as a flooded or icy course, high winds or lightning. Check your event's website or social media, and the UK cancellations page, before you leave home.

Does parkrun happen in winter?

Yes. The parkrun UK homepage says it plainly: "parkrun is 5k and takes place every Saturday morning." There is no winter break. parkrun's support site adds that it hopes "every parkrun event can take place every week, all year round", and that event teams cancel only when safety is at risk or the course cannot be used.

Start times do not change with the seasons. Every UK event page we checked (47 events across all four nations) gives the same pattern: 9am in England and Wales, and 9:30am in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Bushy parkrun in Teddington starts at 9:00am. Edinburgh parkrun on Cramond Promenade starts at 9:30am. Your own event's page always has the time under "When is it?".

On the shortest day, sunrise comes before the start everywhere, but only just in the north.

Sunrise times are calculated for each city centre and can differ by a minute or two from published tables. The run itself is in daylight, but in December the walk or drive to the start often is not. Our guide to running in the dark covers lights and being seen.

Is parkrun cancelled today? How to check.

Look in three places before you set off. parkrun's support article on cancellations says: "Before attending a parkrun venue please check the event website and/or their social media channels to ensure it's not cancelled that day." It also points to the upcoming cancellation list.

• Your event's website. A cancellation appears as a banner at the top of the event page, with the date and the reason.
• Your event's social media. Worth a look on the morning itself, as well as the night before.
• The UK cancellations page. It lists every notified cancellation for the next three weeks, with a reason for each. On 10 October 2026 it showed 18 Saturday 5k events cancelled that morning, for reasons such as "Venue unavailable", "Shortage of volunteers" and "Course unsafe or blocked".

Cancellations can come late. The support site says: "Events try to give as much notice as possible but on some occasions that is not possible and last minute cancellations may occur." That is because the final call is made on the day. Every event has an Event Day Course Check, which parkrun says should take place "as close to the start time as reasonably possible", and the Run Director "has the ultimate authority to decide whether the event should be cancelled or postponed or if an adjustment to the course is required."

Does parkrun happen in the rain?

Yes, in almost every case. parkrun lists the most common reasons for cancelling, and rain is not one of them. The weather reasons it gives are a course that is "flooded or too icy", or "high winds or other weather conditions" that leave parts of the course "unpassable or dangerous". Lightning is listed separately: events cancel "if lightning is present or in the vicinity of the event."

Expect the course to change in winter even when the event goes ahead. Course pages carry the same warning: "Some sections of the course may accumulate mud, leaves and puddles after rain." Listen to the briefing before the start. Edinburgh's course page asks runners to "listen at the pre-run briefing for any special notes".

Is there a parkrun on Christmas Day and New Year's Day?

At many events, yes. parkrun allows two additional days each year. In the UK they are Christmas Day and New Year's Day, and the support site says these are days when "event teams may choose to hold a parkrun". It is each team's choice, so not every event runs.

• Dates this year. Christmas Day 2026 and New Year's Day 2027 both fall on a Friday, so both are extra events on top of the usual Saturdays.
• How to find one. The Christmas Day and New Year's Day page lists every UK event with a tick if it will take place, a cross if it will not, and a blank box if the team has not yet decided. In early October most boxes are still blank, so check again in December.
• One result per day. The page states: "Only one result may be recorded on each additional parkrun day."

For start times and details on these days, parkrun asks you to check the news page on each event's website and its social media channels.

What should I wear to parkrun in winter?

Come ready to run, because there may be nowhere to leave kit. Edinburgh parkrun's course page puts it plainly: "No storage facilities are available at present, so please come dressed to run the event." The same page notes that the promenade borders the Firth of Forth, so "you can be exposed to the elements, so please bear this in mind when dressing for the event."

• Layers you can carry. A long-sleeve base layer and a light windproof are enough for most winter Saturdays. Gloves and a thin hat are the easiest things to take off and stuff in a pocket at 3k.
• Something warm for afterwards. Standing around for the barcode scan and a chat cools you fast. Leave a dry top and a coat in the car or bag, or wear a jacket you are happy to run in.
• Shoes for the surface. Read the course page. Bushy is "grass and paths", Edinburgh is "all tarmac". Grass and woodland courses in January suit shoes with more grip.
• Water. Edinburgh asks runners to "bring water for yourself after you finish", and notes that run directors "will only have access to emergency supplies."
• A barcode that survives the weather. parkrun's rule is "No barcode, no time, no exception." Volunteers can type in a barcode that is "muddy, sweaty, scrunched" by hand. A wristband or plastic token survives rain better than paper, and, like a printed barcode, carries your In Case of Emergency number.

For a layer-by-layer guide by temperature, see what to wear running in the cold.

How do I stay safe at parkrun in winter?

Event course pages carry standard safety notes, and several matter more in winter.

• Underfoot. "Take care on uneven surfaces", on grass and on tarmac. Shorten your stride on frost and wet leaves, and walk icy corners.
• Around cars. "Take care near roads and car parks", the notes say, because some vehicles drive very quickly. Car parks are darker on winter mornings, so drive slowly and wear something bright.
• Each other. "If you see someone with a serious problem, please stop to help them out and get help as soon as possible."

If you are new to running through the cold months, our guide to winter running in the UK covers warming up indoors and running on frost.

Where Immufix fits.

A Saturday parkrun is easier to keep through the dark months when the rest of the morning runs on autopilot. Immufix is one 25g scoop in around 200ml of water, once a day, and fits with breakfast before you leave or after you get home. Riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid and vitamin B6 contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Magnesium contributes to normal muscle function, and vitamin D contributes to normal muscle function and the maintenance of normal bones. Every amount is on the science page.

The short version.

• parkrun runs every Saturday all winter: 9am in England and Wales, 9:30am in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• Rain does not stop it. Flooding, ice, high winds, lightning and venue problems can.
• Check your event's website, its social media and the UK cancellations page before you leave.
• Christmas Day and New Year's Day events are optional for each team. Check the special events page in December.
• Come dressed to run, bring water and a warm layer for afterwards, and carry a barcode that can take some mud.

Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication, speak to your GP or pharmacist before taking any food supplement.