Check out this regional guide to Christmas, Boxing and New Years’ Day swims across the UK.
More like the Wild West when it comes to festive swims! There are lots of traditional festive swims in Devon, Cornwall and Dorset. Often these events are communal uprisings, with no one person in charge. You may find events on Christmas Day in Falmouth, Coverack, St. Agnes, Polzeath, Sennen, Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton; on Boxing Day in Poldhu, Charleston, Paignton, Teignmouth and Torquay; and on New Year’s Day in Newquay. Details can be found through swim groups, local press and social media.
The Macmillan White Christmas Dip
Location – Boscombe Pier, Dorset
Time and date – 9.45am on 25 December
Price – £12 in advance, £15 on the day
Description – Dippers must be registered by December 23rd. There’s always pre-dip fun on the beach to warm up.
More info
Bude Christmas Day Swim
Location – Crooklets Beach
Time and date – ‘Dash for the waves’ at 11am, with group warm up before, 25 December
Price – Free
Description – No longer an organised charitable event, the Bude Christmas Day Swim is now run by individuals who want to continue this event for the community. Includes a competition for the best Christmas hat!
Exmouth Christmas Day Swim
Location – Exmouth beach
Time and date – 10.15am
Price – Free
Description – an extremely popular Santa hat-wearing event which attracts swimmers in their hundreds!
Coverack Christmas Day Swim
Location – Coverack Harbour
Time and date – 12.30pm, Christmas Day
Price – Free, but donations to Cancer Research UK
Description – Fancy dress galore, and a local tradition for over 50 years, apparently started by a local doctor betting about swimming across the harbour
More info
The Lyme Lunge New Year’s Day
Location – Sandy Beach
Time and date – 1pm on New Year’s Day
Price – Donation to charity optional
Description – Fancy dress is encouraged, fundraising and donations are optional. This amazing annual event is organised by Lyme Regis Rotary Club.
More info
Paignton Lions Club Boxing Day Walk into the Sea
Location – Paignton Seafront Beach
Time and date – registration 10am, fancy dress judging 11.45am, and into the sea at 12 noon on 26 December
Price – £10 for adults, £5 for under-16s
Description – A sponsored walk into the sea, with 50/50 of the fee going to your chosen charity and Paignton Lions.
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St. Ives Boxing Day Charity Dip
Location – Porthminster Beach
Time and date – 12-2pm on Boxing Day
Price – Optional donation to charity
Description – Everyone welcome, including the dog!
More info
Weymouth Lions Christmas Day Harbour Swim
Location – Weymouth Harbour
Time and date – 11am on Christmas Day
Price – £16 – registration required
Description – This swim dates back to 1948 when two friends – a local publican and a taxi driver – made a bet to see who could swim across the 70m harbour on Christmas Day. In 2024, there were over 2,000 spectators and over 400 determined swimmers!
More info
West Bay Wallow Boxing Day Swim
Location – The Harbour
Time and date – 12noon, Boxing Day
Price – Free, donations appreciated
Description – Fancy dress and a sense of humour needed!
More info
Aldeburgh Boxing Day Swim
Location – Aldeburgh, opposite the Moot Hall
Time and date – 11am, Boxing Day
Price – £10
Description – Started in 1988 by a local GP to raise funds for the victims of the Armenian Earthquake. Since then, the event has raised £1,000s for charity, and this year they intend to donate funds to East Anglian Childrens Hospices (EACH) & Medicines Sans Frontieres (MSF). The White Lion Hotel is kindly offering hot chocolate for swimmers after their swim.
More info
Felixstowe Christmas Day Dip
Location – Seafront, opposite Mannings Amusements
Time and date – From 8.30am, dipping at 10am, Christmas Day
Price – £16 before 23rd December; £20 on the day, proceeds go to St. Elizabeth Hospice
Description – Help mark the 21st anniversary of this festive dip and join 100s of others in the sea on Christmas Day. Friends and family are encouraged to come and cheer you on!
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Hunstanton Round Table Christmas Day Swim
Location – Hunstanton Promenade, by the Oasis Leisure Centre
Time and date –Registration from 10-10.30am; fancy dress judging at 10.50; swimmers take the plunge at 11; hot soup for swimmers at 11.15; certificates available from 11.30. Christmas Day
Price – Register to donate, enter competitions and raise money for local charities
Description – An exuberant annual fundraiser with over 60 years of heritage and billed as one of Norfolk’s biggest events in the festive season
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Lowestoft Christmas Day Swim
Location – Outside the Flying Fifteens Cafe
Time and date – Registration from 8.45am; swim at 10, Christmas Day
Price – £10 before December 24th, £15 on the day. All money goes to local charities
Description – This is the 46th swim, with over £10,000 raised in previous years. Fancy dress welcome!
More info
North Norfolk Beach Runners Boxing Day Dip
Location – Cromer Pier
Time and date – Run at 11.30am; dip at 12.30am, Boxing Day
Price – Free, with a collection for this year’s charity
Description – Fast becoming a Cromer Christmas tradition, this 20 minute fun run and 5c North Sea dip is not to be missed
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Sea Palling Boxing Day Dip
Location – Sea Palling Beach
Time and date – Arrive by 11.30am to register and be in the water at 12noon, Boxing Day
Price – Free, suggested £5 donation to Let’s Do It Anyway
Description – Dash across Sea Palling sands into a chilly North Sea
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‘Hampstead Men’s Pond is my go-to place on Christmas Day. It’s open to everyone, steeped in swimming heritage, plus it has a great Christmas spirit and unique community vibe,’ Simon (Club Secretary)
Southend RNLI New Year’s Day Dip
Location – Jubilee Beach, Marine Parade
Time and date – Sign in from 10am; swim from 11am, New Year’s Day
Price – £6 in advance, £25 on the day with all proceeds going to the RNLI
Description – Come brave the 5c waters of Southend for the ninth anniversary of this event
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Southwold Christmas Day Swim
Location – Southwold seafront, below Gun Hill
Time and date – Registration starts at 9.30, swimmers in the water at 10.30am, Christmas Day
Price – £15 in advance, £20 on the day with a medal given to all participants (online registration closes on 22nd December)
Description – A local fundraiser which has raised over £48,000 for local charities since 2012. Fancy dress is welcome!
More info
Members of the Serpentine Swimming Club will take part in the Peter Pan Cup 100 yard race, an event held on Christmas Day every year since 1864. Where else can you have a Christmas Day dip in London?
Camber Sands New Year’s Dip
Location – The Gallivant, Camber Sands
Time and date – 10am-11am, New Year’s Day
Price – Free, but donations welcome to their partner charity, Blood Cancer UK
Description – Informal, if you fancy a dip, just turn up!
More info
Folkestone Lions Club Boxing Day Dip
Location – Sunny Sands Beach, registration at The Mariner Pub
Time and date – Registration from 9.30am, Fancy dress judging 11am, Dip from 11.30am, Boxing Day
Price – £10 (or free if you collect sponsorship)
Description – A friendly and raucous event firmly on the Folkestone calendar. You can also raise funds for the club and/or your preferred charity. Prizes are awarded for fancy dress and the oldest/youngest dippers.
More info
Petersfield Pool New Year’s Eve Splash
Time and date -1pm New Year’s Eve, also 10am/1.130pm on New Year’s Day
Location – Petersfield town centre, in the car park next to the theatre
Price – £12.50 – book in advance to get a spot
Description – Start the New Year with a dip in this 1950s community pool followed by a hot drink and a warm mince pie/sausage roll. Pool heated to 26C. The sauna will be open for bookings.
More info
Shanklin Boxing Day Santa Run/Swim
Location – Small Hope Beach
Time and date – 11am-2pm, swimmers go in at 12.30pm, Boxing Day
Price – Free, raising money for Local Independent Lifeboat
Description – A riot of colour and New Year’s Day optimism!
More info
Shanklin New Year’s Day Swim
Location – Small Hope Beach
Time and date – 11am-2pm, swimmers go in at 12.30pm, New Year’s Day
Price – Free, raising money for Blue Seas Protection
Description – A riot of Fancy Dress and New Year’s Day optimism!
More info
Ventnor Boxing Day Swim
Location – Ventnor Esplanade
Time and date – 12noon, Boxing Day
Price – Free, collection buckets for Ventnor Carnival and PATCH
Description – A Victorian tradition! Fancy dress encourages, attracting over 1,000 to the sea front.
South Coast Sea Gods Boxing Day Dip
Location – outside the RNLI Centre in Selsey, East Beach
Time and date – 9am, Boxing Day
Price – Free
Description – Everyone welcome, bring your swimmers and a festive hat
More info
Chipping Norton Lido Solstice, Boxing Day and New Years’ Swims and Saunas
Location – Chipping Norton town centre OX7 5BZ
Time and date – 4-8 pm Solstice (21st September), 9am-1pm Boxing Day, 9am-1pm New Year’s Eve and 2pm-6pm New Year’s Day
Price – £9 swim, £7.50 sauna (per half hour)
Description – Enjoy a festive swim at Chipping Norton’s community run 25m unheated pool with lawn, cafe and saunas – enjoy a post swim sauna and a drink and snack in the warm cafe (Licensed bar)
More info
Location – Details hidden until registration!
Time and date – Registration from 9.30am, Dipping at 10am. New Year’s Day
Price – £35 or free if raising funds. Medals awarded to all dippers.
Description – A charity event in aid of the Poppy Appeal, run by Flanders Friends who support the Armed Forces and local community
More info
Blackroot Pool Christmas Day
Location – Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield
Time and date – 10am, Christmas Day
Price – Free
Description – Time-honoured dip in the park, a tradition for over 50 years
More info
Niall Meehan
These are just some of the cold water swims taking place across Yorkshire during the festive season. Check local press and social media for more swims near you.
Redcar Rotary Club Boxing Day Dip
Location – Lifeboat Slipway
Time and date – Registration from 10.15am in The Hub; swim at 11am, Boxing Day
Price – £10
Description – Now in its 56th year, this annual event attracts hundreds of swimmers and raises money for local charities, including Redcar RNLI, Redcar Coast Watch and Mountain Rescue Cleveland
More info
New Year’s Day at Pool Bridge Farm
Location – Pool Bridge Farm, 10 mins from York City Centre
Time and date – 10am-4pm, New Year’s Day
Price – Booking required, £10, proceeds go to York Women’s Counselling
More info
Flamborough Flippers Christmas Swim
Location – Flamborough, Beach hut 52 North Side
Time and date – meet from 2.30pm, swim at 3pm (ish)! 21st December
Price – Free
Description – Come for the swim, stay for the giggles, the shivers, the photos, and the pure chaotic Christmas energy. The sea won’t know what hit it.
More info
Salford New Year’s Day Swim
Location – Dock 9, MediaCityUK, Salford Quays
Time and date – Register from 10.15-11am, swimmers enter the water between 11-12noon, New Year’s Day
Price – £30 adults, £10 under-16s, supporting local charity. Food Bank donations welcoeme
Description – Two courses available: a 100m route or a 250m route for experienced swimmers with tow floats. Wetsuits, skins and fancy dress all welcome!
More info
Openswim Charity Boxing Day Dip
Location – Sale Water Park
Time and date – 12-2pm, Boxing Day
Price – £24 adults, £10 children, £58 for a family of four with 20% of proceeds going to Manchester Mind
Description – brightly coloured hats or tow floats required
More info
Lake District Calvert Trust New Year’s Day Dip
Location – Beyond the Boat Landings, Keswick
Time and date – 11am, New Year’s Day
Price – £5 minimum donation, register in advance
Description – Fancy dress dip in Derwentwater followed by hot chocolate and cake. An event to raise funds supporting people with disabilities to experience outdoor activities in the countryside
More info
‘Any excuse to wear something joyfully stupid on my head while singing “Hark! The Herald Angels SWIM”. Might just be a halo this year!’ Anna (Facebook Team)
Little Haven Boxing Day Dip
Location – Little Haven Beach, South Shields
Time and date – 11am, Boxing Day
Price – Donations to Cancer Connections
Description – Register in advance to take part
More info
Hartlepool Round Table Boxing Day Dip
Location – The Marine Hotel, Seaton Carew
Time and date – Registration from 10am; parade to the sea at 11.30am, Boxing Day
Price – £5
Description – A pre-swim parade, fancy dress welcome! Changing areas available in the hotel.
More info
Lions Club of Sunderland Boxing Day Dip
Location – The Stack, Seaburn
Time and date – 10am, plunge at 11am, Boxing Day
Price – £10
Description – Expected to be bigger and better this year with hundreds of participants. Fancy dress welcome!
More info
Whitby Lions Boxing Day Dip
Location – Whitby Bandstand, Pier Road
Time and date – 10am registration, fancy dress judging at 10.30, with the swim to follow
Price – £10
Description – A local fundraiser by Whitby Lions, drawing larger crowds each year – this year is the 50th Dip!
More info
Loony Dooks rise up all over Scotland during the festive period, particularly on New Year’s Day! These tend to be informal events, often steeped in history and embraced by the whole community. Follow local press, social media and swim groups to find one near you. Here are just some.
YeAABA New Year’s Day Dook
Location – Broughty Ferry Harbour
Time and date – 1pm, New Year’s Day
Price – £16 for adults, £9 for juniors; last registration at 12.30pm
Description – This traditional jump into the Tay dates back to 1891. Organised by Ye Amphibious Ancients Bathing Association.
More info
Burghead Boxing Day Swim
Location – Harbour Office
Time and date – 2.30pm, Boxing Day
Price – £50 minimum Sponsorship, with proceeds going to local charities
Description – This swim has been going for more than 30 years – this year is the 39th
More info
Helensburgh New Year Swim
Location – Rhu Marina
Time and date – 11.30am-12.30pm, New Year’s Day
Price – Donations to Helensburgh RNLI
More info
Just like the South West, there are lots of traditional swims in Wales which might not be listed online, including a Boxing Day dip at Pembrey Park and New Year’s Day swims at Porthmawr, Abersoch, Porthdinllaen and Barry Island. Follow local press, social media and word of mouth for more details.
The Langland Bay Santa Clean, Dip and Surf
Location – Alma Road, Langland Bay, Mumbles
Time and date – 9-11.30am, Saturday 13th December
Price – £3 for dippers, £5 for surfers, all proceeds to Surfers Against SewageF
Description – Santa Dip at 9am, surf at 10am, beach clean throughout the morning
Llandudno Lions Club Boxing Day Dip
Location – Promenade, Llandudno Beach
Time and date – Swim at 11.30, Boxing Day
Price – Free, sponsorship encouraged – fundraising for Alaw Ward (cancer and haematology) at Ysbyty Gwynedd
Description – Over 600 swimmers and 2000 spectators in 2024
More info
Porthcawl Christmas Morning Swim
Location – The Hi-Tide Inn, Porthcawl
Time and date – Registration 10.30am, swim at 11.45am, Christmas Day
Price – Free, fundraising encouraged
Description – A festive swim going since 1965 which has raised over £175,000 for local charities. Celebrating 60 years, the fancy dress theme this year is ‘Swinging Sixties’. Also features carol singing with Porthcawl Community Orchestra
More info
Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim
Location – North Beach, Saundersfoot
Time and date – 12.30-1.30pm, New Year’s Day
Price – £5 adults, £3 under-16s, plus donations to charity
Description – This event began in 1984 with 10 swimmers. Now over 2,500 swimmers, with 9,000 spectators in 2024. £775,000 raised to date! Britain’s Biggest New Year’s Day swim is 40 this year – with a fancy dress theme of ‘Rugby’
More info
Tenby Boxing Day Swim
Location – North Beach, Tenby
Time and date – From 11am, plunge at 11.30, Boxing Day
Price – Suggested donation of £10 for the RNLI
Description – A legendary swim in its 53rd year with a ‘all things Welsh’
Angle New Year’s Day Dip
Location – West Angle Bay
Time and date – 12 noon, New Year’s Day
Price – Register beforehand. Free, but donations to ‘Paul Sartori – Hospice at Home’
Description – smaller, family event – free leek and potato soup for all swimmers
More info
‘As Brits in the USA, we’ve started our own Boxing Day dip in one of the local lakes. We’re gradually inducting more and more American friends into our UK tradition, with sausage rolls and a big fire afterwards. Last year, there were icicles hanging off the dock as we got in, but it was marvellous!’ Liz (Production Editor)
Bangor Cancer Focus New Year’s Day ‘Dare to Dip’
Location – Crawfordsburn Beach
Time and date – Safety announcement 11.45am, swim at 12 noon, New Year’s Day
Price – £15 in aid of Cancer Focus NI (sponsorship target of £50)
Description – A prize for the best fancy dress. Minimum sponsorship of £20 is requested. There are toilets, changing facilities and a cafe at the Visitor’s Centre.
More info
Helens Bay Annual Christmas Eve Dip
Location – Helens Bay Beach
Time and date – Carols and craic from 10.30am. Bagpipes at 11am to start the swim, 24th December
Price – donations to Dementia NI and Air Ambulance NI
Description – in its 29th year, promises a full morning of fun and community
More info
The COPE Galway Christmas Day swim
Location – Blackrock, Salthill
Time and date – 10am-1pm, Christmas Day; and/or anytime between 20-26 December
Price – €20 for adults, €5 for children. Proceeds go to COPE Galway
Description – In 1989, a group of COPE Galway staff took the plunge into icy waters on Christmas Day morning to raise funds for their domestic abuse support service. After 36 years, the tradition goes from strength to strength, with 1,000 swimmers expected to take part.
More info
Nick Fewings
St. Peter Port Polar Bear Swim
Location – La Vallette Bathing Pools
Time and date – 9.30-11am, Christmas Day
Price – Free
Description – Guernsey Swimming Club has held its Polar Bear Swim on Christmas Day for over 50 years
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Cobo Bay Boxing Day Dip
Location – Cobo Bay
Time and date – 10.30am, Boxing Day
Price – Free, but you can pre-purchase a festive beanie (minimum donation £10). Beanies can be collected from Market Square on 7 or 12 December
Description – Now in its 25th year, the Boxing Day Dip is Guernsey Cheshire Home’s highest profile fundraiser with all donations going to the upkeep of the Home.
More info
There are plenty of festive dips around the Isle of Man – many on New Year’s Day.
The Douglas Dip
Location – Queen’s Prom, Douglas
Time and date – 12 noon, New Year’s Day
Price – registration in advance. Free, but donations to Breast Cancer Now
Description – Running for 16 years, with free hot drinks and biscuits for swimmers
More info
The 12 Bays of Christmas
Location – Bays of Jersey
Time and date – 1-31 December
Price – £15 adults, £5 children
Description – Participants are challenged to take a dip in 12 festively named bays, such as Bauble-y-Bay and Yule lo(n)g Beach, to raise money for Les Bourgs Hospice
More info
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