Bakersfield Polar Bear Plunge

January 1, 2024, 11 a.m.

McMurtrey Aquatic Center
1325 Q Street
Bakersfield, CA
$5 (ages 7 & up only), bakersfieldcity.us
$30 for optional Polar Bear Sweatshirt, limited quantity and pre-order

Registration 10:30-11:30 a.m.  a.m. Event starts at 11 a.m.

 The minimum age to participate is 7 years. Ages 7 -17 require written parental consent.    

Splash into the New Year. Take the icy plunge into McMurtrey Aquatic Center's activity pool.

This annual event has grown to become a Bakersfield tradition with more than 200 Polar Bears taking the plunge every year.

Participants go down the slide into icy water and swim 25 yards, or they can choose to jump in and swim 25 yards before climbing out onto dry land to enjoy some hot chocolate.

• Must be at least 48" tall to ride slide 
• Participants ages 7 to 17 must have written parental consent
• Polar Bear Club Sweatshirts are available for fee
• Sweatshirt quantities  limited
• Polar Bears must wear swimsuits - no wet suits, t-shirt, pants, water shoes, etc.
• Registration the day of begins at 10:30 a.m. and closes at 11:30 a.m.
• Pre-register to ensure a sweatshirt and avoid the lines.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.