Festive Swims 2024

Where will you swim this Christmas?

Niall Meehan

We love swimming all year round, but festive dips are a chance to embrace the midwinter magic, shake off the old year and dive into the new!

Many of the festive swims listed here are important local traditions, kept alive for 30, 50 or even 100+ years. What started as a crazy bet or dare are now seasonal favourites which entertain 100s of spectators and raise £1,000s for local charities.

A word on health & safety: the correct way to winter swim is to practise a long period of gentle acclimatisation, with continual exposure to falling temperatures. Of course, that doesn’t always happen at Christmas! But be aware that sudden immersion in cold water does brings risks, such as hypothermia, shock and cardiac arrest, so make sure you’re prepared with our Festive Swim Dos and Don’ts.

These are such special events. Let’s make sure they continue. Did we miss one? Please send additions and corrections to hello@outdoorswimmingsociety.com

Guernsey

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
More info

Coco Bay Boxing Day Dip

Location – Coco 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 24th year, the Boxing Day Dip is Guernsey Cheshire Home’s highest profile fundraiser with all donations going to the upkeep of the Home.
More information

Jersey

The 12 Bays of Christmas

Location – Bays of Jersey
Time and date – 1-31 December
Price – £12 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 Jersey Hospice Care and National Trust Jersey
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)

South West

More like the Wild West when it comes to festive swims! There are lots of traditional festive swims in Devon and Cornwall. 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 Beach, Dorset
Time and date – 9.45am on 25 December 
Price – £7.50
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 – 10.45-12noon, 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

Exmouth Christmas Day Swim

Location – Exmouth beach
Time and date – 10.45am
Price – Free
Description – an extremely popular Santa hat-wearing event which attracts swimmers in their hundreds!

Hele Bay Merbabes New Year’s Swim

Location – Hele Bay, North Devon
Time and date – 10am on New Year’s Day
Price – Free, raising money for the RNLI
Description – Open to all!
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. 
More info

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 – 9.30am-12.30pm on Christmas Day
Price – TBA
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 2023, 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

Nick Fewings

London & South East

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? Here’s a link to the lidos and ponds open in 2024. Book in advance as tickets sell out fast!

Camber Sands Festive Dips

Location – The Gallivant, Camber Sands
Time and date – 12noon-1.30pm, New Year’s Day
Price – Free
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, fancy dress judging and swim times TBA, Boxing Day
Price – £10 
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 most money raised.
More info

Swimble Shenanigans Festive Swims Hayling Island

Location – Skate Park, Hayling Island
Time and date – 7.30am, Christmas Day; 8.30am, Boxing Day; 9.30am, New Year’s Day 
Price – Free
Description – Please bring Christmas hats on Christmas Day; old swim fashions on Boxing Day; optional fancy dress on New Year’s Day
More info

Petersfield Pool New Year’s Day Cool Start Swim 

Time and date – January 1, 12.30pm – 1.30pm
Location – Petersfield town centre, in the car park next to the theatre
Price – £12.50
Description – Start the New Year with a dip in this 1950s community pool followed by a hot drink and a warm mince pie. The sauna will be open for bookings.
More info

Shanklin New Year’s Day Eco Colour Run Swim

Location – Small Hope Beach
Time and date – 11am-2pm, swimmers go in at 12.30pm
Price – Free, raising money for Blue Seas Protection Charity
Description – A riot of colour 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 charity
Description – A Victorian tradition! Fancy dress encourages, attracting over 1,000 to the sea front. 

Whitstable festive swims

Location – Tankerton slopes
Time and date – 11am, Christmas Eve and Boxing Day; 10am, Christmas Day
Price – Free
Description – Informal gathering

‘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)

East of England

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 we intend to donate funds to the RNLI and Make A Wish foundation. The White Lion Hotel is kindly offering hot chocolate, snacks and warm sofas after the swim.
More info

Beccles Lido Blue Christmas Swim

Location – Beccles Lido, Suffolk
Time and date – 8am, 29 December
Description – No fixed times or distances. The water temp will be 22c and you can swim as little or as much as you’d like for up to 4 hours!
More info and sign-up

Felixstowe Christmas Day Dip

Location – Seafront, opposite Mannings Amusements
Time and date – From 8.30am, dipping at 10am, Christmas Day
Price – £15 before 21 December; £20 on the day, proceeds go to St. Elizabeth Hospice
Description – Help mark the 20th 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!
More info

Hunstanton Round Table Christmas Day Swim

Location – Register outside Alive Oasis
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
Price – Register to donate, enter competitions and raise money for local charities
Description – An exuberant annual fundraiser with 60 years of heritage and billed as one of Norfolk’s biggest events in the festive season
More info

Lowestoft Christmas Day Swim

Location – East Point Pavilion
Time and date – Registration from 8.30am; swim at 10, Christmas Day 
Price – Minimum £5 donation. All money goes to local charities
Description – This is the 45th 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 9.30am; dip at 10.30am, 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
More info

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
More info

Southend RNLI New Year’s Day Dip

Location – Jubilee Beach, Marine Parade
Time and date – Sign in from 10.45am; swim from 11.30am, 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
More info

Clacton Christmas Day Swim

Location – Clacton-On-Sea, Greensward
Time and date – December 25, gather from 9.30am dipping at 10am. What3words///tropic.replayed.glow
Price – Free
Description – Clacton Christmas Swim, an annual event since 1953. Clacton-On-Sea Bluetits, Holland-on-Sea Bluetits, Holland-on-Sea Mental Health Swims, the Chilly Buns and individuals raising money for charity, hundreds attend. 

New Year’s Eve Dip Clacton-On-Sea Bluetits

Location – Holland-on-Sea, Clacton
Time and date – December 31, dipping at midnight. Gather 11:30pm on the beach/prom. What3words///vanish.legend.cheer
Price – Free
Description – NYE Swim, Clacton-On-Sea Bluetits are dipping the new year in. Dipping just before midnight and getting out in 2025.

Southwold Christmas Day Swim

Location – Southwold seafront, below Gun Hill
Time and date – 10.30am, Christmas Day
Price – £15 in advance, £20 on the day with a medal given to all participants
Description – A local fundraiser which has raised over £38,000 for local charities since 2012. Fancy dress is welcome!
More info

Midlands

Maplethorpe New Year’s Big Dip

Location – Details hidden until registration!
Time and date – 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

Yorkshire & The Humber

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.

Knaresborough Swimmers Group Festive Swims

Location – Knaresborough Lido
Time and date – 11am, Christmas Day; 11am, New Year’s Day
Price – Free
Description – Don’t be fooled, this isn’t a pool swim! Knaresborough Lido is a short stretch of the River Nidd

Whitby Lions Boxing Day Dip

Location – 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
More info

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 55th 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 – £10, proceeds go to York Women’s Counselling
More info

North West

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 – £25 adults, £5 under-16s, supporting St. Ann’s Hospice
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

Morecambe Bay on New Year’s Day

Location – Morecambe Bay
Time and date – Registration from 11.30am, swim starts at 1pm
Price – £7 for the dip; £12 for the 500m swim
Description – Swim, splash or stroll for St. John’s Hospice. You can either dip (fancy dress optional) or strong swimmers can join the 500m swim

Openswim Charity Boxing Day Dip

Location – Sale Water Park
Time and date – 12-2pm, Boxing Day
Price – £24 adults, £12 children, £58 for a family of four with 20% of proceeds going to Manchester Mind
Description – Entry fee includes a free swim hat
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

North East

Dip Club Officials December Dips

Location – Long Sands Beach on Boxing Day; King Edward’s Bay on New Year’s Day
Time and date – Various, see more info here
Price – Free
Description – Informal gatherings by the Dip Club Officials, a cold water social club established by the sea

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, Seabrun
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 – Sign in 10am; fancy dress judging 10.30am; swim straight afterwards, Boxing Day
Price – £10
Description – Fancy dress is at the heart of this swim, with prizes awarded in wide range of categories
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)

Photo by Anna Deacon Wardie Wild Ones

Scotland

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 – 2.30pm, New Year’s Day 
Price – £15 for adults, £10 for juniors; last registration at 2pm
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 – Sponsorship, with proceeds going to local charities
Description – This swim has been going for more than 30 years
More info

Portobello New Year’s Day Dook

Location – Portobello Beach, meet at the bottom of Bath Street
Time and date – Time TBC, New Year’s Day
Price – Free
Description – An informal affair with lots of participants clad in fancy dress.
More info

Helensburgh New Year Swim

Location – Rhu Marina
Time and date – Time TBC, New Year’s Day 
Price – Donations to Helensburgh RNLI
Description – More info here

Wales

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, Abersock, 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, The Mumbles
Time and date – 12-3pm, Saturday 21 December
Price – Free, donations to the Langland Bay Lifeguards, founded in 1975
Description – Starting at 11am, with a beach clean organised by #OneMinuteBeachClean; Santa Dip at 12 (Santa hats compulsory!); Santa Surf at 1pm (Santa suits and foamies only!)
More info

Llandudno Lions Club Boxing Day Dip

Location – Llandudno Beach
Time and date – Registration from 10am; swim at 11.30, Boxing Day
Price – Free, sponsorship encouraged
Description – Running for over 25 years. Each participant will receive a memento, with prizes for the best fancy dress
More info

Ponty Lido Festive Swims

Location – Ponty Lido (‘National Lido of Wales’)
Time and date – Time TBA, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day
Price – TBA, book in advance, Boxing Day tickets available from 2 December
Description – Keep up to date here

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
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!
More info

Tenby Boxing Day Swim

Location – North Beach, Tenby
Time and date – From 11am, plunge at 11.30, Boxing Day
Price – Free, fundraising encouraged!
Description – A legendary swim in its 52nd year with a ‘superhero’ fancy dress theme to pay respects to the RNLI crew as part of the RNLI’s 200th Anniversary
More info

Northern Ireland

Bangor Cancer Focus New Year’s Day Dare to Dip

Location – Crawfordsburn Beach
Time and date – Safety announcement 11.45am, swim at 12 noon
Price – £15 in aid of Cancer Focus NI
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

Ireland

The COPE Galway Christmas Day swim

Location – Blackrock, Salthill
Time and date – 10am-1pm, Christmas Day; 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 35 years, the tradition goes from strength to strength, with 1,000 swimmers expected to take part. 
More info

Christmas Eve at Greystones

More info & resources

  • The Festive Swim List will continue to grow as new swims are announced. If you can’t see anything in your local area, take a look at our list of Wild Swim Groups to find a seasonal dip near you.
  • Some of these swims are local traditions whereas others are much more organised, with online registration and a fee which goes to local charities. One or two are also run as paid open-water events. Register interest or buy a ticket in advance to avoid disappointment.
  • Follow the organiser’s advice, such as instructions on parking, and be aware that arrangements can change or be cancelled at short notice, so keep checking for updates in the days leading up to the swim.
  • Take responsibility for your health and safety with our Festive Swims Dos and Don’ts.

 

Ali Couch