Deep Cove Penguin Plunge

North Vancouverites celebrate New Year’s Day on January 1st with live music and an icy cold swim in the ocean at the annual Penguin Plunge at Deep Cove.

This Vancouver traditional icy dip happens on Thursday, January 1st, 2026.

The Polar Bear Plunge at Deep Cove is one of several similar events in the Lower Mainland. Other January 1st swims take place at English Bay, Boundary Bay (in Delta), Port Moody, Squamish and White Rock.

New Year’s Day Penguin Plunge at Deep Cove’s Panorama Park

The Penguin Plunge is a community event in North Vancouver. It takes place on New Year’s Day at Panorama Park which is by the Deep Cove Yacht Club at 4420 Gallant Avenue.

The event runs from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm. Costume judging happens at 1:30 pm and the plunge takes place promptly at 2:00 pm.

As in recent years, there is live music with Gary Comeau and the Voodoo Allstars, a large community bonfire, food and refreshments, free plunge registration, and commemorative participation pins and badges. Funds raised support Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue Station 2.

Plungers check in at a registration tent near the playground. In 2026 there are also limited-edition Penguin Plunge T-shirts available to purchase.

About the Penguin Plunge

The Deep Cove Penguin Plunge has been running since the early 1980s. This annual event will be celebrating its 44th anniversary in 2026. It’s a free event that draws dozens of swimmers and hundreds of spectators when it happens.

Swimming participants are encouraged to dress up in costumes and collect pledges for a local charity. In the last few years, it has been the Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue.

At the Penguin Plunge there is live music. Most years, the band has been Gary Comeau & the Voodoo Allstars which is a great group. Its specialty is New Orleans’ Roots, Blues and Rock.

The Penguin Plunge is a fairly large community event. It’s smaller than the Polar Bear Swim at English Bay in Vancouver, but it’s still one of the Lower Mainland’s largest swims of its kind. It’s a fabulous event and can attract well over 1,000 people, including 300 or so swimmers. The live entertainment is great, the swimming is fun to watch and the scenery at Deep Cove is amazing.

Unlike most other New Year’s Day swimming events, the one at Panorama Park is more than just a mass quick dip in the ocean and cups of hot chocolate. There’s typically a large community bonfire, live music before and after the plunge, food and refreshments, and a festive atmosphere throughout the park.

New Year's Bonfire at Deep Cove — The Bonfire After the Penguin Plunge Swim

Tips & Advice

Below are some suggestions to help you make the most of your visit to Deep Cove on New Year’s Day.

TIP #1: Take your camera!

TIP #2: If participating in the swim, be sure to do three things. (1) Wear a costume (as it’s fun and can help you freeze less quickly. (2) Obviously, take a towel and lots of extra warm clothes to get into after your plunge. (3) Convince friends to join you.

TIP #3: Hundreds of people turn out for the Penguin Plunge and parking is limited. Take public transit if you can. If driving, carpool with a group and arrive well before noon to find parking within a reasonable walking distance. And if you’re swimming and have to park far away, don’t forget your towel and extra warm clothes in the car.

TIP #4: Combine your trip to the Penguin Plunge with other activities in the region. There is a lot to do on the North Shore including parks to explore and ski hills to check out.