Where to take a polar plunge in the Seattle area on New Year’s Day

Ever thought of diving into the frigid January waters of Lake Washington, Puget Sound or Lake Sammamish? The first day of the new year provides the ideal opportunity for the brisk and bold.

New Year’s Day is rapidly approaching, and many in the Seattle area will ring in the new year in the water. You can host your own polar plunge in any cold body of water, of course, but there are ample opportunities to kick-start the new year with an organized polar plunge in Greater Seattle. Here are five to consider for a chillingly good time.

Washington State Parks: Lake Sammamish State Park

2182 N.W. Sammamish Road, Issaquah; 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 1; $10 participation fee; parks.wa.gov

This Washington State Parks event includes the polar plunge itself (at noon), plus complimentary Ivar’s clam chowder and a costume contest (11:30 a.m.) with a prize of $50 and a Washington State Parks Discover Pass. There are three costume categories: dress in your best festive holiday gear, throwback ’80s threads or Pacific Northwest gear. Participants are encouraged to take part in the state-sponsored First Day Hikes, too, a short, guided hike before the costume contest.

Seattle Parks and Recreation: Matthews Beach Park

5100 N.E. 93rd St., Seattle; 11:45 a.m. Jan. 1; free; 206-684-4989, parkways.seattle.gov

This annual event encourages costumes and “festive energy.” Those who immerse themselves neck deep in the water during the plunge at noon will receive a “Commemorative Badge of Courage.” Lifeguards will be present, as hundreds of people run, walk or dive into the cold waters of Lake Washington. Polar bear “cubs” and anyone else who’d like a bit more space to shiver can hop in the water at 11:45 a.m. before the bigger group dip at noon.

City of Renton: Henry Moses Aquatic Center

1719 Maple Valley Highway, Renton; 10 a.m.-noon Jan. 1; free; rentonwa.gov

Sean Conway, recreation supervisor for the city of Renton, said the city’s long-running polar plunge “brings people from all walks of life” together and is “a big morale booster” for event organizers and plunge participants alike. Starbucks will be handing out free coffee at the event, and Conway says clothed locals often come out to cheer on the hardy swimmers.

Editor’s note: Renton announced on Dec. 28 that the location of Renton’s Polar Bear Plunge, usually held at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, will take place at the aquatic center to avoid potentially toxic algae blooms in Lake Washington.

Club Northwest Resolution Run and Polar Plunge: Magnuson Park 

7400 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle; 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Jan. 1; $40 registration fee through Dec. 30, $45 day-of, kids race free; clubnorthwest.org/resorun

This paid 5K run and walk concludes with an optional plunge into Lake Washington. There’s also a beer garden, heated changing stations, and T-shirts and medals for racers. According to Club Northwest’s website, about 60% of last year’s runners also did the polar plunge. Will there be more plungers in 2024? You can bolster their ranks on Jan. 1; registration opens at 9 a.m. that morning and the beer garden opens at 10.

Metro Parks Tacoma: Point Defiance Marina

5912 Waterfront Drive, Tacoma; 10:30 a.m. Jan. 1; $10; metroparkstacoma.org

This event, sponsored by Bath Fitter, is highlighted by the chance to jump off the marina docks into chilly Puget Sound. The adults-only plunge is at 11:30 a.m. while cubs are welcome at 12:30 p.m. With average January water temperatures in the mid-40s, this is doubtlessly one of the coldest polar plunges in the region. Fret not: Warm beverages will be available, life jackets will be provided and lifeguards will be on the docks.