Shorewood Polar Plunge 2026: Date, Time and Schedule
The Gentlemen of Shorewood Polar Plunge provides a neighborhood-focused experience with a beloved post-plunge tradition: voting in the annual Shorewood Chili Cookoff at participating local restaurants competing for the coveted "Golden Spoon" award.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, January 1, 2026 (Fifth Annual)
Time: 11 AM–1 PM; plunge at HIGH NOON
Location: Atwater Park/Beach, 4000 North Lake Drive, Shorewood, WI 53211
Cost: Free to plunge; $5 donation to Kinship MKE to vote in chili cookoff
Organizer: The Gentlemen of Shorewood (community group founded 2017)
Charity: Kinship MKE (Kinship Community Food Center)
Family-friendly features: Live music plays from the bluff observation deck, where non-swimmers can watch "the silliness" while staying warm. Free coffee and hot chocolate are provided. The event received a $2,000 Shorewood Foundation grant for amenities including tenting, lifeguard staffing, and emergency services.
Access considerations: Reaching the beach requires descending 100+ steep stairs or using the wheelchair-accessible paved zigzag path. Small children may find the stairs challenging. The park features playgrounds at both the top and bottom of the bluffs.
The Shorewood 12 is returning for its seventh year on Saturday, September 12, 2026. Teams will spend 12 hours riding through Shorewood, tackling unusual challenges, visiting neighborhood businesses and raising money for local causes.