It's official: society has given us the green light to go to the beach and jump in the sea on Christmas Day.
Once a time reserved for playing parlor games with family in best dresses and slacks, we now well understand the physical and mental benefits of getting out of the house over the Christmas period. And in the UK we're embracing the winter wild swimming movement, realizing an icy dip is a great way to feel cleansed after festive indulgence.
Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year swims are massively popular, becoming more so with every year. Revelers turn up in their hundreds to wade into cold seas, lakes and rivers in search of a mega endorphin blast.
We want to shake off hangovers, feel the benefits of sea air and kick off active new years, and we're choosing to spend special calendar moments in fun, less-conventional ways – cold water swimming.
Celebrate with your tribe
Communal outdoor swims are great excuses to meet up with people who share similar passions and values to you – these people aren't necessarily your family.
Lots of the best official Christmas and New Year swims are organized in the spirit of good will and raise money for charity. They also require registration to ensure safety provisions are sufficient.
If you miss registration, there are hundreds of other less 'official' gatherings taking place across the UK. Find out more through swim groups, local press and social media.
Once you've located your closest event, all that's left to do is dig out your swimming kit, prepare your flask of hot drink, grab your changing robe and head on down to the water – you won't regret it.
Cold water swimming tips
- The curse of winter chilblains – and how to avoid them if you spend time outdoors
- The best wild swimming gear: what to wear and what to take
- Water shoes vs water socks: protect your feet during amphibious adventures
The best outdoor Christmas and New Year swims in the UK
South West
Bude Christmas Day Swim
Crooklets Beach, Cornwall, December 25, 2024
Hundreds of people from across Cornwall and beyond gather together for a bracing dip.
Exmouth Christmas Day Swim
Exmouth beachfront, Devon, December 25, 2024
Singers belt out We Wish You A Merry Christmas before striding into the sea en masse. Stuart Line Cruises even organizes a sailing to help spectators get the best view.
Blue Horizons Christmas Day Plunge
Sandford Parks Lido, Cheltenham, December 25, 2024
Jump into the open-air pool and swim one width, or two if you're hardy enough. The cost is £5.
Lyme Lunge, Lyme Regis
Sandy Beach, Lyme Regis, January 1, 2025
The annual New Year's Day dip aims to raise money for local charities.
Elsewhere
The counties of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset are awash with beautiful beaches and many of them – including Sennen Cove, Swanage Beach and Watergate Bay– host informal swims. Check local and social media for more information.
London
Peter Pan Cup
Serpentine Lake, Hyde Park
Members of the Serpentine Swimming Club dive into the cold waters of the Serpentine Lake for the Peter Pan Cup race, which has taken place every Christmas Day since 1864.
London Royal Docks New Years Day swim
Waterfront Studios, Royal Docks, Newham
Tickets can be bought in advance for £15 and include nibbles and hot drinks.
South East
Camber Sands New Year's Dip
The Gallivant, Camber Sands, East Sussex, January 1, 2025
A refreshing dip on a super-clean beach. Donations to Blood Cancer UK.
Folkestone Boxing Day Dip
Sunny Sands, Folkestone, Kent, December 26, 2024
The Folkestone Lions Club organises this annual event where dippers are given a three-minute time limit in the water before 'health and safety' turf you out.
East
Lowestoft Christmas Day Swim
East Point Pavilion, Lowestoft, Suffolk, December 25, 2024
The 45th festive plunge takes place in 2024, watched by around 3,000 spectators.
Cromer Boxing Day Dip
Cromer Beach, Norfolk, December 26, 2024
North Norfolk Beach Runners Boxing Day Dip welcomes first timers as well as seasoned swimmers. Folk complete an out-and-back fun run before taking a communal sea dip.
Midlands
Mablethorpe New Year's Big Dip
Mablethorpe, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire, January 1, 2025
Organizers ask you to register in advance for this chilly dip in the North Sea that raises money for the Poppy Appeal.
North West
Salford Quays NYD'25 swim
Dock 9, MediaCityUK, Salford Quays, Manchester, January 1, 2025
Kickstart your 2025 with a cold splash into Salford Quays. Newbies can hire wetsuits and towfloats, which are compulsory.
Calvert Lakes New Year's Day Dip
Beyond The Boat Landings, Keswick, January 1, 2025
Wetsuits are highly recommended for this dip in Derwentwater, which is followed by hot chocolate and cake. Calvert Lake staff are on hand to make sure everyone's safe.
North East
Whitby Boxing Day Dip
Whitby Bandstand, Whitby, North Yorkshire, December 26, 2024
The Whitby Lions Club organises this event that's been running since the 1970s and sees over 300 dippers wade out into the ice-cold waves of the North Sea.
Dunk N’ Doughnuts New Year Dip
Longsands Beach, Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear, January 1, 2025
There’s no better way to mark the beginning of a New Year than dipping into the chilly North Sea, reckons organizers Dip Club. You can pre-order coffee and doughnuts to be delivered to the beach for when you get out.
Wales
Porthcawl Christmas Morning Swim
Coney Beach, Bridgend, December 26, 2025
A charity event that's been going for almost 60 years. Organizers love to see fancy dress.
Tenby Boxing Day swim
North Beach, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, December 26, 2024
This year the annual event turns 50. Join the masses at North Beach for the special celebration.
Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim
Saundersfoot Beach, Pembrokeshire, January 1, 2025
Forty years on from the initial swim, organizers expect 2,500 people to run into the sea with an estimated crowd of 9,000.
Elsewhere
Wales is full of outdoor-swimming enthusiasts and there are loads more festive swims taking place across the country, including at Barry Island, Pembrey Park and Abersoch. Check social media and local press for more.
Scotland
Burghead Boxing Day Swim
Burghead Harbour, Moray, December 26, 2024
A charity swim in the Moray Firth. You'll need to register for the event.
The Loony Dook
South Queensferry, Edinburgh
An unofficial, free-to-enter event with much fancy dress and many homemade props.
Helensburgh New Year's Dook
Rhu Marina, Helensburgh
Take the plunge to raise funds for the Helensburgh Lifeboat Station. Reserve a spot and get a wristband and safety briefing.
Elsewhere
Loony Dooks, aka 'lunatic dips', have gained momentum as ways to cure hangovers after Hogmanay celebrations. Often they're unofficial. Find more on social media.
Northern Ireland
Ballyhome Boxing Day Swim
Ballyholme Yacht Club, Bangor, County Down, December 26, 2024
There are Santa hats galore at this annual event that asks for a £5 donation to the RNLI.
Dip for Diabetes
Castlerock Beach, Coleraine, January 1, 2025
Dip in the Atlantic Ocean to raise money for Diabetes UK. For a £12.50 registration fee you get a woolly hat and a medal.
