The first day of 2026 will bring the first dip into the ocean for many locals on the North Shore — an icy one at that.
Looking to join them? Here’s a list of local Polar Plunges charities will host on or around Jan. 1 and later this winter.
— Plunge4Pete, Gloucester
This Saturday, Dec. 27, the Peter Frates ALS Foundation will return to Good Harbor Beach for its largest annual fundraiser in memory of local hero Pete Frates, a Beverly man who inspired the world to donate to ALS research through the viral Ice Bucket Challenge.
Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. and the plunge will commence at 12:30 p.m. Visit https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/P4P/ to register and for more information about the event.
— The Open Door, Gloucester
Cape Ann’s largest food bank will host its annual Polar Plunge at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, at Oakes Cove Beach, located off Stevens Way on Rocky Neck in Gloucester. Plungers are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate at the beach.
— Swampscott Yacht Club, Swampscott
The Swampscott Yacht Club will be raising money for the Don Hause Legacy Fund through its annual Polar Plunge, hosted this year on Thursday, Jan. 1, at Fisherman’s Beach off Humphrey Street.
Registration will run from 10:15-10:45 a.m. at the beach and the plunge will take place at 11 a.m. The first 100 participants donating $50 or more will receive a free T-shirt.
— Plunge for Polio, Manchester-by-the-Sea
The Manchester Essex Regional High School Interact Club will host a Polar Plunge raising money to fight polio at Singing Beach on Beach Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea at noon on Thursday, Jan. 1.
Participants can take the plunge or cheer on plungers with cowbells, pom-poms or motivational signs they are encouraged to bring.
The cost to nominate a friend or family member to plunge is $25, or $10 for students, and the cost to not plunge but still attend or support the event from afar is $50. The Gates Foundation will match the money raised for polio eradication efforts 2-to-1. Visit https://www.manchesteressexrotary.org/ to donate or nominate.
— Freeze for a Future, Marblehead
The fundraising team Changing Futures will host its annual Polar Plunge fundraiser for cystic fibrosis research at noon Thursday, Jan. 1, at Devereux Beach on Ocean Avenue. Visit https://givebutter.com/CFPolarPlunge to donate.
— Freemason’s Essex Lodge, Salem
Plungers can donate to the Essex Lodge Salem High School Scholarship Program by taking part in a Polar Plunge at Dead Horse Beach beside the Salem Willows at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3.
Cost to participate is $50, which will go back into the scholarship program. Email essexlodgema@gmail.com to donate or confirm participation in the plunge.
— Mental Makeover, Salem
On Saturday, Jan. 31, Mental Makeover will host its fourth annual Polar Plunge in honor of those lost to suicide. The plunge will take place at Winter Island Park Boat Ramp, located at 50 Winter Island Road. Visit https://tinyurl.com/mmpolarplunge26 to register or to donate to Mental Makeover.
— Lifebridge, Beverly
Lifebridge will host a Polar Plunge at Lynch Park on Sunday, March 1, at noon. More information will be released about the event closer to that date. Visit https://lifebridgenorthshore.org/events/ for updates.
— Special Olympics Massachusetts, Beverly
The Beverly Police Department, Northeast Arc and the gym CrossFit Variance Plus will hold a Polar Plunge fundraiser benefitting Special Olympics athletes across the state Sunday, March 22, across from the Beverly Police Station at the Cummings Center.
Registration and check-in will begin at 10: 30 a.m. at CrossFit Variance, located in Suite 135e of the Cummings Center, with the plunge to follow at noon. Visit https://fundraise.specialolympicsma.org/events/966 to register or donate.
— Special Olympics Massachusetts, Gloucester
The Gloucester Police Department is also hosting a Polar Plunge for the Special Olympics on Saturday, March 28, at Good Harbor Beach. Registration and check-in will begin that day at 10 a.m., while the plunge will take place at 11 a.m. Visit https://fundraise.specialolympicsma.org/events/972 to donate or register.
— Rally 4 Nally, Boston
Though not on the North Shore, another Polar Plunge will benefit the Peter Frates Foundation. The plunge, on Saturday, Jan. 3, at Carson Beach in South Boston, is the fifth one held in memory of Cathy Nally, a woman from Westwood and Boston who died in 2022 after fighting ALS for two years.
Money raised will also be given to Compassionate Care ALS. Registration will open at 10 a.m. and the plunge will take place at 11 a.m. Visit https://givebutter.com/rally4nally to register or to donate.
Contact Caroline Enos at CEnos@northofboston.com.