©iStockphoto.com/Jen Grantham
The Polar Bear Plunge—also known as the Polar Plunge, Polar Bear Swim Day, New Year’s Dive, or Loony Dook—is an activity in which participants jump into a body of cold water, usually held in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a popular New Year’s Day tradition in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. In these countries, many people organize and take part in Polar Bear Plunge events, often for charity.
Too cold? Celebrate Swim a Lap Day in June instead.
How to Celebrate?
- If you are brave enough to participate, find a pond, lake, the sea or just fill up your bath with freezing cold water and take a plunge.
- Support someone who is participating in a Polar Bear Plunge for charity.
- In the Southern Hemisphere? Then you probably want to celebrate Polar Bear Plunge Day every day until the summer is over.
Did You Know…
… that polar bears have 2 layers of fur and are insulated from the cold with 4 inches (10 cm) of blubber?
Polar Bear Plunge Day Observances
| Year | Weekday | Date | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Wed | Jan 1 | Polar Bear Plunge Day |
| 2026 | Thu | Jan 1 | Polar Bear Plunge Day |
| 2027 | Fri | Jan 1 | Polar Bear Plunge Day |
| 2028 | Sat | Jan 1 | Polar Bear Plunge Day |
| 2029 | Mon | Jan 1 | Polar Bear Plunge Day |
| 2030 | Tue | Jan 1 | Polar Bear Plunge Day |
| 2031 | Wed | Jan 1 | Polar Bear Plunge Day |
| 2032 | Thu | Jan 1 | Polar Bear Plunge Day |
| 2033 | Sat | Jan 1 | Polar Bear Plunge Day |
| 2034 | Sun | Jan 1 | Polar Bear Plunge Day |