Toronto 
The Courage Polar Bear Dip, the largest and longest-running charity event of its kind in Canada, is returning this New Year’s Day.
CNW Group/World Vision Canada
Visit Coronation Park in Oakville on Thursday, January 1, 2026, to participate with thousands of daring dippers for the annual Courage Polar Bear Dip. The event is a fundraiser for World Vision, organized by Courage Brothers – Todd and Trent.
You can help provide clean drinking water around the world by braving the near-freezing waters of Lake Ontario dressed in full clothing to just about anything from bikinis, baby New Year costumes and Santa outfits.
Funds raised from the event will help provide a reliable source of clean water for World Vision’s WASH projects worldwide. This entails building wells or reservoirs and partnering with local utility companies to provide piped water directly to households. These efforts reduce suffering and disease caused by drinking contaminated water and enable children to attend school rather than trekking to distant water sources.
Since partnering with World Vision in 1995, the event has raised over $2 million and welcomed more than 10,000 jumpers.
The Coronation Park Polar Bear Dip is not the only event of its kind in the GTA. You can visit Sunnyside Beach in Toronto or Bond Head Parkette in Newcastle to test your mettle in braving the near-freezing waters of Lake Ontario.
Annual Courage Polar Bear Dip
WHAT:
Get dressed in just about anything from bikinis, baby New Year costumes and Santa outfits to costumes designed with imagination, and help raise funds for clean drinking water.
The Courage Polar Bear Dip is open to dippers of all ages.
WHEN:
Thursday, January 1, 2026
12:30pm | Registration Opens, Live Music and Festivities Begin
1:15pm | Costume Contest
2pm | DIP!
4pm | Post-Dip Party at Tin Cup Oakville
WHERE:
Bronte Beach Park – 45 West River Street in Oakville
HOW MUCH:
Register ($30) and Fundraise
