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The Festive Dip List 2025

What better way to clear your head after Christmas than to run full pelt into the sea? Plan your swim with our Festive Dip List 2025. All you need to do now is work out your fancy dress. 

It’s winter dip season and once again, people all over the UK and beyond are set to embrace the thrill of cold water swimming! To help you plan your frosty frolics, we’ve compiled our Festive Dip List 2025 featuring organised events all over the country.

Christmas Day dips, 25 December 2025

Macmillan White Christmas Dip, BOSCOMBE 
Description: Join us for the UK’s biggest charity Dip, from 9:45am Christmas Morning at Boscombe Pier
Time: 9.45am
Price: £12
More info

BUDE Christmas Day Swim, Crooklets Beach 
Description: The Bude Christmas Day swim will be run by individuals as a community event this year
Time: 10.45am-midday
Price: Free
More info

Christmas Day Swim, EXMOUTH 
Description: Spectators can even watch this event from the comfort of a boat.
Time: 10.15am
Price: Free
More info

Christmas Day Dip, FELIXSTOWE 
Description: An annual tradition where hundreds of dippers in festive outfits plunge themselves into the icy cold North Sea at Felixstowe to raise vital funds for St Elizabeth Hospice. 
Time: 8.30am for a 10am dip. 
Price: £16 until 23 Dec; £20 on the day. Proceeds to St Elizabeth Hospice.
More info

Loughrea Icebreakers Christmas Day Swim, GALWAY, Ireland
Description: At 11.30 am, a large number of hardy souls will descend upon the crisp, clear waters of Loughrea Lake in an effort to raise money for CASA LOUGHREA. For those who would like to donate, there will be a bucket collection on the morning.
Time: 11.30am
More info

Christmas Day Swim, HUNSTANTON 
Description: The Hunstanton Christmas Day Swim with everyone taking the plunge at 11am on Sunday 25th December at the town’s central promenade. This is one of Norfolk’s biggest events over the festive season with hundreds of people taking part.
Time: 11am (registration 10am-10.30am; 10.50am fancy dress costume judging; 11am swimmers’ parade and swim; 11.15am free hot soup from outside the Marine Bar for all swimmers and warm showers at Alive Oasis) 
More info

Christmas Day Swim, LOWESTOFT
Description: Lowestoft’s 45th Christmas Day Swim, for charity. 
Time: Registration at Flying Fifteens from 8.30am. Swim at 10am sharp! A quick warm up on the prom, followed by a jog into the sea for your dip.
Price: £10 if registering online prior and £15 on the day.
More info

The PORTHCAWL Christmas Morning Swim
Description: Since 1965 the Porthcawl Christmas Morning Swim has been raising thousands of pounds for local charities and organisations.
Time: arrive from 10.45am, enter the sea 11.45am
Price: Free, fundraising encouraged
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ST. PETER PORT Polar Bear Swim Swim
Description: The Guernsey Swimming Club are holding the annual Polar Bear Swim on Christmas Day at La Vallette Bathing Pools. This event is open to everyone of all ages and always has a great atmosphere.
Time: arrive from 9.30-11am
Price: Free
More info

SOUTHWOLD Christmas Day Swim
Description: The Christmas Day charity swim has been running for 13 years. The swim will take place on the beach below Gun Hill.
Time: 9.30am registration, enter the water at 10.30am
Price: £15 in advance, £20 on the day
More info

WEYMOUTH Christmas Day Harbour Swim
Description: The 70-metre-plus distance starts from the Cove on Trinity Road and finishes across the water opposite the Harbour Master’s office on Custom House Quay. 
Time: 9.30am
Price: £15
More info

Boxing Day dips, 26 December 2025

AYRSHIRE’S Big Boxing Day Dip
Description: Sign up for Ayrshire’s Big Boxing Day Dip and brave the cold to raise money for Ayrshire’s leading cancer charity. For the fifth year in a row, we are excited to see Ayrshire folk challenge themselves this Boxing Day.  
Time: 11am
Price: £10 
More info

FOLKESTONE Lion’s Club Boxing Day Dip
Time: Registration point on The Stade, 9.30am, swim at 11.30am
Price: £10 per person. 
More info

FRASERBURGH RNLI Boxing Day Harbour Swim
Description: Are you up for the challenge of a 52-metre swim across Fraserburgh Harbour in the chilly North Sea? Wetsuits aren’t mandatory but are advised. 
Time: 1-3pm
Price: Free, fundraising encouraged
More info

HARTLEPOOL Round Table Boxing Day Dip
Description: What better way to clear your head after a Christmas of over indulgence than to run into the North Sea and raise money for causes close to you?
Time: Registrations 10am-11.25am; dip at 11.30am. 
Price: £5
More info

LLANDUDNO Lions Club Boxing Day Dip
Description: The Lions Club of Llandudno have, for over 25 years, organised the annual Boxing Day Sea Dip. The dip regularly sees over 100 dippers taking the plunge into an icy Irish Sea. With a temperate of 9 degrees Celsius, as soon as the dippers are in – they’re out again!
Time: Registration from 10am; dip at 11.30am 
Price: Free, fundraising encouraged
More info

PAIGNTON Walk Into the Sea 
Description: Each year hundreds of fundraisers don optional fancy dress and at the starter’s command swiftly walk into the chilly waters of the English Channel where fun and frivolity begins.
Time: Registration opens 10am; dip at 12pm
Price: £10 or free with sponsorship
More info

PEMBREY Country Park Walrus Dip 
Description: Brave the chill and join us for the 38th annual Walrus Dip at Pembrey Country Park! Join hundreds of others and take a dip in the sea on Boxing Day to raise money for a cause close to your heart
Time: Registration opens 10.30am
Price: Free, fundraising encouraged
More info

REDCAR Rotary Club Boxing Day Dip
Description: Need something to blow away the cobwebs on Boxing Day? Well why not register for the Boxing Day Dip and join the hundreds of other dippers who raise funds for their chosen cause.
Time: Registration online or 10.15am-10.55am on the day at The Hub; dip at 11am
Price: £10
More info

SUNDERLAND Boxing Day Dip
Description: Take the plunge, raise money for your favourite charity and endure the cold North Sea to become a brave Seaburn dipper.
Time: 10am-midday
Price: £10
More info

TEIGNMOUTH Boxing Day Walk in the Sea
Description: The Teignmouth Festive Walk in the Sea has been held annually on Boxing Day for 15 years to raise funds for the RNLI.
Time: Registration 10am; fancy dress competition 10.45am; warm up 10.50am and dip at 11am.
Price: Registration is online or can be made on the day with a suggested donation of £5 per adult.
More info

TENBY Boxing Day Swim, North Beach
Description: Named as one of Britain’s top ten barmiest winter dips, TENBY’s famous Boxing Day Swim has been an institution in the small Pembrokeshire town for more than 50 years.
Time: 11am; swim at 11.30am
Price: £10 donation per swimmer requested
More info

SWANAGE Boxing Day Swim
Description: The Boxing Day Swim on Swanage Beach is an annual tradition, which sees dozens of swimmers head to the water for a fun, festive dip. Fancy dress isn’t compulsory, but there are prizes up for grabs for the best Christmas costume.
Time: 11am
Price: Free, donations welcome
More info

SANDHURST Boxing Day Swim
Description: Festive swim at the Horseshoe Lake Activity Centre
Time: 9am
Price: Free, donations welcome
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VENTNOR Boxing Day Swim, Isle of Wight
Description: Join 100’s of people who brave the cold winter waters for a dip in the sea this Boxing Day!
Time: 12pm
Price: Free, donations welcome
More info

WHITBY Lions Boxing Day Dip
Description: It has become somewhat of a tradition in our beautiful little seaside town to enjoy a rather refreshing dip in the North Sea on Boxing Day morning. It’s certainly a unique and memorable experience that will raise lots of money for local charities. Fancy dress is a must, for many dippers, with prizes available for the best! In previous years, we have had some fantastic costumes such as dinosaurs, Batman and Robin, Christmas trees and even a team of traffic cones and a fancy dress wedding proposal!
Time: Registration 10am; fancy dress judging 10.30am; immediately after judging, everyone runs into the sea.
Price: £10; all dippers MUST be registered
More info

New Year’s Day, 1 January 2025

ABERSOCH RNLI New Year’s Day Dip
Description: The traditional Annual New Year’s Day Dip is back again! The event will once again be held at Abersoch main beach and all participants are encouraged to wear fancy dress under the theme of ‘Anything that begins with R,N,L or I’.
Time: Registered participants check-in on the Main Beach from 11.30pm, ready for a 12pm dash into the sea.
Price: Pre-register online with a minimum registration fee of £10 per adult and £5 per child.
More info

ANGLE New Year’s Day Dip
Description: Come and join in the fun on West Angle Beach and help raise vital funds for local charity!
Time: 12pm
Price: Free, fundraising encouraged
More info

Dare to Dip, BANGOR, Northern Ireland
Description: Shake off the excess of Christmas and make a fresh start to the New Year by taking a chilly dip at Crawfordsburn Beach. An invigorating, fun-filled swim and help us raise much needed funds for Cancer Focus NI’s Family Support cancer services. Fancy dress is encouraged.
Time: Mass Dip at 12pm; make sure you’re on the beach and ready by 11.45am
Price: £15, sponsorship target £50
More info

The New Year’s Day Dook, BROUGHTY FERRY
Description: The New Year’s Day Dook is a tradition handed down by the fisher folk of Broughty Ferry – some of whom bathed in the waters of the Tay every morning except on the Sabbath. This tradition dates back to 1891 as recorded in the first official minutes of the Club. The 1st of January was special, as it heralded in Neer’ Day i.e. the first day of the New Year, when the community congregated to celebrate together.
Time: registration by 12.30pm latest, swim 1pm
Price: £16 adults, £9 aged 5-16
More info

New Year’s Day Dip, CLEVEDON Marine Lake
Description: Spectators are very welcome. The bucket collection will be for Marlens, the charity behind the management and further development of Clevedon Marine Lake.
Time: 11am
Price: Free
More info

LYME REGIS Lunge, Dorset
Description: The Lyme Lunge is an annual fancy dress swim which takes place on New Year’s Day. Organised by Lyme Regis Rotary Club, the event takes place on the sandy beach from 1pm and aims to raise as much money as possible for charity. This year’s main beneficiaries are The Rainbow Trust and Well Child alongside Rotary charities.
Time: 1pm at Sandy Beach, Lyme Regis
Price: Free, fundraising encouraged
More info

New Year’s Day Dip, MINEHEAD
Description: Make a fresh start for 2026 with one of Somerset’s boldest traditions: the St Margaret’s Hospice New Year’s Day Dip! Join hundreds of fearless fundraisers as they charge into the freezing waters of Minehead beach, all in support of local hospice care.
Time: Registration opens at 2.30am; dip at 3.30pm.
Price: £12 (online) or £15 (pay on the day) , fundraising target £50
More info

New Year’s Day Swim, SALFORD QUAYS
Description: Start 2025 with a splash into Salford Quays. The uber-friendly crowd and iconic Lowry Theatre backdrop guarantees top pics and crazy fun
Time: Registration 10.15-11am, swim in three waves from 11am
Price: £25 adult, young people (7-15yrs) £10
More info

New Year’s Day Swim, SAUNDERSFOOT
Description: Thousands of people take to the water wearing fancy dress on New Year’s Day morning in Saundersfoot as they take part in the UK’s biggest New Year’s Day Swim.
Time: 12.30pm
Price: £5 adults, £3 for under 16s, includes a medal
More info

New Year’s Day Dip, South Bay, SCARBOROUGH
Description: It has been going for over 20 years, and more than a hundred people generally take part.
Time: Registration 10.30am near the Lions minibus, with changing facilities at Scarborough Rowing Club. 12.30pm
Price: £10
More info

SOUTH QUEENSFERRY Loony Dook
Description: The world Famous Loony Dook raises lots of money for good causes, and you get to watch lots of Loonys jump in the sea on New Year’s Day
Time: 12.30pm.
Price: Free, fundraising encouraged
More info

WESTWARD HO! New Year’s Day Fancy Dress Dip
Description: New Years day dip at Westward Ho! in Devon is a great free event for the whole family. Dip into the atlantic ocean with friends.
Time: 11.15am registration, 12pm swim
Price: Free
More info

WHITESANDS New Year’s Day Charity Swim
Description: A local charitable organisation, The St Davids Penknife Club, run an annual swim on Whitesands, a favourite local surfing beach on the westernmost tip of Wales.
Time: 11am registration, noon swim
Price: Free, fundraising encouraged
More info

Did we miss an event? Event organisers, if your event is not listed please email details to production@outdoorswimmer.com.