Jan. 1 dawned a balmy 48 degrees. The Coney Island Polar Bear Club New Year’s Day Plunge attracted thousands of New Yorkers ready to start the year with a shock to their systems.

People plunge into freezing Lake Michigan during Chicago Polar Bear Club 24th annual Polar Plunge event at Oak Street Beach on Jan. 25, 2025. The event was sold out after selling 1,000 tickets.

The Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics Maryland is coming up. Jennifer Franciotti has a conversation with a Special Olympics athlete.

Flores-Deter, Elenbaas and Johnson were among a record crowd of 540 people who ran, walked or jumped into the lake in Waukegan’s 25th-annual Polar Bear Plunge Monday at the city’s beach in ...

Ari Darmon of Arlington, Va., celebrates as he exits the water following a plunge during the 2023 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday, February 4, 2023.

This year's Polar Bear Plunge will be at noon on Jan. 1 at Milwaukee's Bradford Beach, 2400 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive. It's free to take the plunge or just watch others take it.

Hundreds of people prepare to brave the frigid air and water temperatures during the 2021 New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2021, at Sanders Beach in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Contests include Biggest Polar Bear Splash, Oldest Polar Bear and Best Polar Bear Hat. After the plunge, warm up with a hot drink. Participants pay $8 to $45 depending on the amount of swag they want.

Ari Darmon of Arlington, Va., celebrates as he exits the water following a plunge during the 2023 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday, February 4, 2023.

BALTIMORE — Thousands of people braved the cold Saturday and plunged into the chilly waters of the Chesapeake Bay for the 2023 Polar Bear Plunge to raise $3.4 million for Special Olympics Maryland.