Local guide

Start the year in the water.

The Olalla Polar Bear Plunge happens every New Year's Day at the Olalla Creek bridge in Olalla, Washington. The official jump starts with a cannon shot at noon, but jumpers are in and out of Burley Lagoon all morning. It is free, open to everyone, and every jumper earns an official Olalla Polar Bear certificate. It is one of the oldest New Year's plunge traditions in the Puget Sound region.

Noon on January 1: cannon shot, costumes, and a bridge jump into Burley Lagoon.

Written by Assaf, the Olalla Bay editor. Updated October 2026.

A decades-old New Year's tradition

The jump started decades ago with John Robbecke and a few other undaunted locals. Robbecke was the longtime owner of Al's Store, the country store that is now the Olalla Bay Market, and the tradition grew from there. The 31st annual plunge ran on January 1, 2015, with more than 500 participants jumping into the lagoon. It has been an Olalla institution ever since, covered by the wire services and drawn crowds in costumes from across the region.

The format is simple. Jumpers gather at the Olalla Creek bridge next to the Olalla Bay Market. At noon, the cannon fires and the official jump begins, but plenty of people take their first plunge earlier in the morning and go in more than once. Some wear costumes. Some jump to clear their heads from New Year's Eve. Others have done it every January 1 for years and consider it bad luck to miss.

How the day works

There is no registration and no entry fee. Show up, jump when you are ready, and dry off after. Traditionally every jumper is entitled to an official Olalla Polar Bear certificate, suitable for framing. The market owners hand out free hot cider to anyone who needs to warm up, and vendors set up in the market parking lot: in recent years that has included hot dogs and coffee from local businesses.

The jumping platform is the bridge over Olalla Creek, which flows into Burley Lagoon. The drop is short, the water is deep enough, and the crowd makes it a party. Bring a big towel, a change of dry clothes, and warm shoes for the walk back. January water in Puget Sound sits in the low 40s, so plan on being cold for exactly the length of one good shiver.

Spectator logistics

You do not have to jump. Watching is free and half the fun: the costumes, the cannon shot, the line of people off the bridge. Arrive well before noon for a good spot and because parking is the real challenge of the day. The market lot fills up and the surrounding roads are rural and narrow. Park legally, walk a little, and come hungry: the vendors in the market parking lot are part of the tradition.

The market sits at the corner of Crescent Valley Road SE and Burley-Olalla Road SE in Olalla. From the house it is a short drive. January 1 is also First Day at the nearby state parks if you want to stack the plunge with a New Year's hike: Joemma Beach and Kopachuck are both within an easy drive. Our beaches guide covers both.

Questions people ask

What time is the Olalla Polar Bear Plunge?

The official plunge starts with a cannon shot at noon on January 1. Many jumpers take their first dip earlier in the morning and do multiple jumps.

Where does it happen?

At the Olalla Creek bridge by the Olalla Bay Market, on Crescent Valley Road SE in Olalla. Jumpers jump from the bridge into Burley Lagoon.

Is it free?

Yes. No registration, no entry fee. Every jumper is traditionally entitled to an official Olalla Polar Bear certificate.

Can you just watch?

Yes. Spectators are welcome. Arrive well before noon for parking and a good spot on the bridge area.

How cold is the water?

January Puget Sound water is in the low 40s. Bring a big towel, dry clothes, and warm shoes. Free hot cider is traditionally handed out to help you warm up.