Ventnor Polar Bear Plunge: New Year’s Day Tradition + Where to Grab Pre-Sale Swag

Every New Year’s Day, Ventnor comes alive at the beach with one of our favorite cold-weather traditions: the Ventnor Polar Bear Plunge. Whether you’re taking the dip or cheering from the sand, it’s an unbeatable way to kick off the year with friends, neighbors, and pure Ventnor energy.

A little history (Ventnor’s plunge)

Ventnor’s Polar Bear Plunge has its own story and roots right here in town. Community posts and local coverage have credited Charlotte Josephs with bringing Ventnor its very first Polar Bear Plunge in 2002, helping spark what’s become a New Year’s Day tradition that keeps growing year after year.

Today, it’s more than a quick sprint into the Atlantic — it’s a full community day with the plunge, a winter festival atmosphere, and plenty of reasons to stick around.

Design contest winner: Congratulations to Jai Lynn Gomez, the winner of our Polar Plunge design contest! Jai Lynn created the official design that will be featured on all of this year’s shirts and sweatshirts.

Plunge Day schedule + where to go

After Party: new home at Ventnor Social

When you’re done at the beach and festival, keep the celebration going — the Polar Plunge after party now has a
new home at Ventnor Social, right down the block:

Perfect for warming up, grabbing food & drinks, and swapping “I actually did it” stories with friends.

Sponsor the Polar Plunge & Winter Festival

To help offset the cost of this years
Polar Plunge and Winter Festival
we are offering sponsorships that will
give you special promotion opportunities
for your business. There are three different levels of sponsorship, tell people to view flyer below for details.

Pre-Sale T-Shirts & Sweatshirts (Ventnor)

Want to lock in your size and show up geared up on plunge day? Grab your official Polar Plunge T-shirt or sweatshirt during our pre-sale pop-ups at SunDaze.

What to bring (if you’re plunging)

• Warm layers for before/after (hoodie + sweats are clutch)
• Towel and a full change of clothes
• Water shoes (the beach can be icy)
• A friend to film it — because it counts more if it’s on camera 😄

See you on the beach, Ventnor ❄️🐻‍❄️

Whether you’re taking the plunge or cheering from shore, make it official with a Polar Plunge tee or sweatshirt.
Stop by SunDaze (6814 Ventnor Ave) on Dec 13 or Dec 20 from 12–4 PM and grab your gear.
Then keep the celebration rolling at the after party’s new home: Ventnor Social (6417 Ventnor Ave).

Pre-Sale Swag Info ↑