New Year’s Day Polar Plunges around Seattle

New Year’s Day polar plunges — often called Polar Bear Plunges — are a beloved Seattle-area tradition for families ready to kick off the year with a bold, cold-water dip. From quick lake jumps to fully organized community events (costumes encouraged), these icy celebrations offer a memorable way to ring in 2026, whether you’re plunging in yourself or cheering from the shore.

Many Seattle-area polar plunges are family-friendly and range from free neighborhood gatherings to larger events that pair a plunge with a 5K run, hot drinks, or post-dip festivities. If cold water isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other New Year’s Day traditions worth exploring, including First Day Hikes in Washington State Parks and or making hearty Hoppin’ Johns.

Below, you’ll find New Year’s Day polar plunges around Seattle, organized by region, along with event details, costs, and what to expect so you can plan a safe — and spirited — start to the new year.

First-time Polar Plunge Tips for Families

If this is your family’s first polar plunge, a little preparation goes a long way. Keep these tips in mind before heading into the water:

Before the plunge

• Pack a full change of dry clothes (including socks)
• Keep feet warm before and after the plunge
• Leave outer layers on until it’s time to enter the water

During the plunge

• Focus on slow, steady breathing when you hit the cold
• Stay in the water no longer than 15 minutes — you lose body heat much faster in water than in air

After the plunge

• Remove wet clothing immediately and change into dry layers
• Warm up with hot drinks and movement

Seattle Parks and Recreation also recommends dressing up in costumes, arriving early, carpooling or taking transit when possible, and consulting a healthcare professional if anyone in your family has medical concerns. If cold water isn’t for you, many events welcome spectators.

Greater Seattle

Resolution Run and Polar Bear Dive

• Thursday, January 1, 2026
• Time: 5K starts at 10:30 a.m., Kids’ Dash begins at 11:30 a.m.
• Location: Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
• Cost: $45 ($50 day of race) for 5K Run/Walk (Dry event) & 5K Trip-n-Drip Polar Plunge. Free for kids dash.

Celebrating the beginning of the new year, the event consists of a 5K run/walk with an optional Polar Bear Dive into Lake Washington just before the finish line. The post-race celebration includes a free kids’ dash for children 10 & under and a beer garden for those over 21. Free chili, coffee, hot chocolate, and more will be provided. Whether you want to run into Lake Washington or cheer as others do, this is a raucous way to start 2026. Register here.

Normandy Park Polar Bear Plunge

• Thursday, January 1, 2026
• Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Location: The Cove – Normandy Park Community Club, 1500 SW Shorebrook Dr, Normandy Park, WA 98166
• Cost: Free

Start 2026 off with an invigorating dip at the Cove! This family-friendly event is open to all! Whether you go in to your shoulders, do a full dunk, dip your toes, or just want to watch, everyone is encouraged to join this fun family event. Ionic coffee truck will be on site from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and there will be a bake sale to benefit Mary’s Place.

New Year’s Day Polar Plunge (Matthew’s Beach)

• Thursday, January 1, 2026
• Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
• Location: Matthew’s Beach, 5100 NE 93rd St, Seattle, WA 98115
• Cost: Free

All ages are invited to participate, so jump in as a family. Those who immerse themselves up to the neck will receive a Commemorative Badge of Courage as proof of their participation in this frigid and invigorating annual craziness. All will be rewarded with warm drinks as well. Younger polar bears (or any bears who need a little more room to navigate) are encouraged to take part in the Polar Cub Club dip at 11:45 a.m. Lifeguards are provided for this event.

Polar Plunge Washington 2026 for Special Olympics

• Dates vary from January 24 – March 14
• Time: varies
• Locations: Seattle, North Sound, Lewis County, Wenatchee, Tacoma, Anacortes, Tri-Cities, and you can even hold a pop-up plunge!
• Cost: Plunge is free with a minimum funds raised of $60. For plunges including a 5K, registration is $15, with a minimum of $40 of fundraising. (The $15 counts toward the $40 minimum.) Register as a team or individual here

Special Olympics Washington holds these events as fundraisers to support year-round training, life-changing competitions, and a movement of inclusion that empowers athletes, families, and communities across Washington.

Eastside

Polar Plunge First Day Hikes Lake Sammamish State Park

• Thursday, January 1, 2026
• Time: Festivities begin at 10:30 a.m., costume judging at 11:30 a.m., and the plunge begins at 12 p.m.
• Location: Lake Sammamish State Park, 2010 NW Sammamish Rd, Issaquah, WA 98027
• Cost: $15 single or $35 per group of four family or friends. Purchase tickets here

Polar Plunge returns on New Year’s Day 2026. Festivities will begin at 10:30 a.m. with registration, music, and merriment on the shores of Sunset Beach. The crowd will “plunge” at noon. The first 50 registered participants will receive a Polar Plunge commemorative pin from local company Pins by Design. Enjoy some Coffee by Cafe Lladro, Tea from Gathering Abundance, Bagels from Blazing Bagels, and Ivar’s Clam Chowder! Visitors will not need a Discover Pass to park at Lake Sammamish State Park.

South of Seattle

Polar Bear Plunge City of Renton 

• Thursday, January 1, 2026
• Times: For the Coulon Beach dip, 10-10:30 a.m. For Henry Moses Aquatic Center, 12-12:30 p.m.
• Locations: Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N., Henry Moses Aquatic Center.1719 Maple Vly Hwy, Renton, WA 98057
• Cost: Free, register for the Coulon Beach dip here, and register for the aquatic center dip here

Take the plunge in our New Year’s Polar Bear Double Dip! Brave the chilly waters at Lake Washington or the Henry Moses Aquatic Center—or even both if you dare! Bring a towel and warm clothes. Chowder, coffee, and cocoa will also be available at Henry Moses Aquatic Center, as well as at the Polar Bear Dip at Coulon Beach Park. Ages 3 and up.

Polar Bear Plunge Point Defiance (Tacoma)

• Thursday, January 1, 2026
• Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Choose a time slot, available in 30-minute increments.)
• Location: Point Defiance Marina, 5912 N Waterfront Dr, Tacoma, WA 98407
• Cost: $10, register here

Kick off the new year by plunging or walking into Puget Sound. Choose a time slot between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Options are available in half-hour increments. Skip the registration line at the event! Youth under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Costumes are welcome but not required. In addition to bragging rights, participants will get a collectible commemorative patch with their registration fee.

Pyka Plunge (Mukilteo)

• Thursday, January 1, 2026
• Time: 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Location: Mukilteo Beach, 609 Front St, Mukilteo, WA 98275
• Cost: Free, register here

Join us at Mukilteo’s Lighthouse Park for the Annual Cold Water Plunge. Enjoy an invigorating New Year’s Day plunge into the chilly waters of the Puget Sound, toasty fire, hot drinks, S’mores on the beach, a chance to win outdoor gear in our drawings, and a silent disco dance party after the plunge

North of Seattle

Edmonds Polar Bear Plunge

• Thursday, January 1, 2026
• Time: 1 p.m.
• Location: Bracketts Landing North 50 Railroad Ave, Edmonds, WA 98020
• Cost: Free

The Edmonds Polar Bear Plunge is thrilled to be back for its 17th year, inviting brave souls (and the friends who film them) to run into the chilly Puget Sound and set the tone for 2026. Hosted by the crew at one of the region’s most iconic bars, Daphnes, the plunge kicks off at 1 p.m. at Brackett’s Landing North. Warm up with a toddy at Daphne’s, embrace your inner Wim Hof, and scream something inspirational into the sea. Or, stay dry and cheer from the pier!

Farther Afield

Birch Bay Polar Plunge (Blaine)

• Thursday, January 1, 2026
• Time: 12- 2 p.m.
• Location: Birch Bay Park, 7930 Birch Bay Drive, Blaine, WA 98230
• Cost: Free, register here

Join in for the annual plunge in scenic Birth Bay, as they attempt the Guinness World Record title for largest Polar Bear Plunge. There will be selfie stations, warming tents, games, activities, and music. The attempt will be a 12 p.m. sharp. It is highly recommended that participants wear water shoes or old sneakers into the water because barnacle-bearing rocks are a site feature. After the plunge, celebrate until 2 with music, refreshments, and certificates. At 5 p.m., there is an official after-party at Beach Cat Brewing.