Vancouver 
Events Description
On Jan 1st jump into 2026 with a splash and take an invigorating dip in English Bay. Enjoy live musical entertainment, food trucks and more beginning at 12:00pm. Whether you decide to take the plunge or just want to cheer on the polar bears, it’s surely the best way to start off the year!
The Vancouver Polar Bear Swim Club is one of the largest and oldest Polar Bear Clubs in the world. Its initial swim was in 1920 when a small number of swimmers took the plunge into English Bay on New Year’s Day. Led by their founder, Peter Pantages, the swim has grown from around 10 swimmers to the new record of 2,550 official entries set in 2014.
When Peter Pantages was not able to swim in the ocean he found other ways to make sure that he had a cool ‘dip’, everyday. He even had an agreement with the Pacific Steamship Company, when he was traveling on an ocean liner, for the ship to stop everyday so he could take a dip. When it was unsafe he would draw a salted chilled bath instead.
HOW MUCH
Tickets:
Free, Register
How to get tickets?
WHEN & WHERE
Date & Time:
January 1, 2026.
11:30am to 4pm (Program begins at 2pm and the official swim at 2:30pm.)
Venue:
English Bay Beach, Beach Ave, Vancouver, BC V6C 3C1
Public Transit Accessible
More to Do:
Things to Do This Weekend in Vancouver
