Annual Christmas Day Swim
If the idea of jumping into the ice cold winter ocean on Christmas day sounds like a good idea then this page is for you. We bring you a guide to Christmas Days swims around the UK.
Take the Plunge – Christmas Day Swims 2025
If the idea of jumping into the ice cold winter ocean on Christmas day sounds like a good idea then this page is for you. Your guide to Christmas day swims around the UK. Christmas swims in the UK have evolved into a cherished tradition, characterised by communal gatherings where participants brave the icy waters of lakes and seas, often dressed in festive attire.
People take part for all sorts of reasons. For many, it’s about the thrill and the challenge of jumping into icy waters – it’s definitely a memorable experience! Others love the festive atmosphere and the chance to connect with friends and family. Plus, a lot of these swims are organised to raise money for charities, so participants often get to feel good about doing something for a good cause while having fun.
Christmas swims take place on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. Each swim has its own unique atmosphere: Christmas Day swims are festive and communal, Boxing Day swims often serve as a “purification” after holiday indulgences, and New Year’s Day swims symbolise a fresh start for the year ahead.
London & South East England
Peter Pan Cup (Serpentine Swimming Club)
The UK’s oldest organised Christmas Day swim, a 100-yard race in Hyde Park’s Serpentine Lake since 1864 (named after J.M. Barrie’s trophy donation in 1904). Open only to club members for the race; spectators welcome.
Location: Serpentine Lake, Hyde Park, London.
Website: serpentin.swimming.club (or check club details).
Macmillan White Christmas Dip
The UK’s biggest charity Christmas Day dip, with hundreds in festive outfits plunging into the sea to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Location: Boscombe Pier/Beach, Bournemouth, Dorset.
Website: Often via Macmillan or local listings; check outdoorswimmer.com for updates.
Felixstowe Christmas Day Dip
Annual charity dip in festive outfits into the North Sea, raising funds for St Elizabeth Hospice (proposals and heroics common!).
Location: Seafront opposite Mannings Amusements, Felixstowe, Suffolk.
Website: stelizabethhospice.org.uk.
Brighton Christmas Day Swim
Brighton’s Christmas Day Swim is a historic event has been held annually since 1860, attracting hundreds of participants who plunge into the sea on Christmas morning.
South West England
Bude Christmas Day Swim
Community-run event (previously organised by Bude Surf Life Saving Club), now informal with a “dash for the waves”; free refreshments often available. Over 500 swimmers and 2000 spectators attend each year to make Bude Christmas Day Swim the biggest non-wetsuit wearing swimming event in the South West.
Location: Crooklets Beach, Bude, Cornwall.
Website: Local community groups or outdoorswimmingsociety.com.
Exmouth Christmas Day Swim
Popular free event with hundreds in Santa hats; spectators can watch from boats. The Exmouth Christmas day swim takes place on Christmas day every year. The event attracts thousands of people with many being brave enough to take the plunge and go for a swim in the waters just of Exmouth beach.
Location: Exmouth Beach, Devon.
Website: Local listings or outdoorswimmingsociety.com.
Gyllyngvase Beach Swim
Fun, family-friendly dip with fancy dress encouraged (Santas common).
Location: Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth, Cornwall.
Website: Local press/social media.
Coverack Christmas Swim
Over 50-year tradition started by a doctor’s bet; fancy dress galore, donations to Cancer Research UK.
Location: Coverack Harbour, Cornwall.
Website: outdoorswimmingsociety.com.
Polzeath Christmas Day Swim
Large community event (400+ participants), wetsuits discouraged for tradition; post-swim warm-ups available.
Location: Hayle Bay, Polzeath, Cornwall.
Website: Local listings.
Sennen Christmas Swim
UK’s most westerly dip, hundreds participate wetsuit-free; meet opposite Sennen Surf School.
Location: Sennen Cove, Cornwall.
Website: Local community.
Trevaunance Cove Swim
Started over 20 years ago from a pub dare; hundreds dash in, followed by warm drinks.
Location: Trevaunance Cove, St Agnes, Cornwall.
Website: Local (Driftwood Spars pub).
Weymouth Harbour Swim
Cross-harbour swim dating to 1948 (from a bet); organised by Lions Club for local charities.
Location: Weymouth Harbour, Dorset.
Website: weymouthlionsclub.co.uk.
Sandford Parks Lido (Blue Horizons) Christmas Swim
Outdoor lido plunge (unheated, cold!); one or two widths, sponsored event.
Location: Sandford Parks Lido, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
Website: cheltenhamlido.co.uk.
East Anglia
Hunstanton Christmas Day Swim
Over 60 years running, one of Norfolk’s largest; fancy dress prizes, free hot soup post-swim. Jump into the sea with over a hundred other people cheered on by the spectators and dressed in and outrageous fancy dress costumes, at the Hunstanton Xmas swim. A prize of £25 for the best dressed individual and £100 for the best group will be presented prior to the swim. All swimmers raise sponsorship for local charities.
Location: Central Promenade, Hunstanton, Norfolk.
Website: hunstantonroundtable.com.
Lowestoft Christmas Day Swim
46th year in 2025; fancy dress (Santas, elves), raises funds for local charities and causes.
Location: Seafront/Promenade, Lowestoft, Suffolk.
Website: Local (Everyone Active or Lowestoft Journal listings).
Wales
Penarth Christmas Swim (Dawnstalkers)
Inclusive daily sea-swimming group meets Christmas morning; anyone welcome, sauna available nearby.
Location: Beside Penarth Pier, Vale of Glamorgan.
Website: Dawnstalkers group (social media).
Porthcawl Wales
Approximately 500 swimmers take the plunge at Coney Beach at Porthcawl
Tenby Boxing Day swim
Tenby Boxing Day swim is a spectacle that sees around 600 brave souls race into the sea, watched by thousands of spectators. The tradition raises money for local charities and has a fancy dress theme – so if you’re taking the plunge this year make sure you’re kitted out as a pirate or a princess. The event has grown in size every year and now includes a raft race and a fancy dress parade. Everyone who takes part gets a medal, but perhaps more important is the roaring bonfire on the beach for swimmers to warm up by afterwards.
Starts at 11.30am tenbyboxingdayswim.co.uk 26th December
North East
Whitley Bay Annual New Year Day Swim
Join the Panama Swimming Club for its annual New Year’s Day swim which has been taking place at Whitley Bay for over 40 years. Fancy dress is optional and it is free to take part.
10.45 meet at the clubhouse, 11am start.
Take part or go and support the swimmers.