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.
Foxhole in Shorewood combines a craft beer bottle shop with scratch-made Southern food, outdoor games for kids, and a welcoming vibe perfect for North Shore families.