Home » **Annual Event**, *Top Pick*, In Person, New Year's Day, Protests / Causes

2026 NYD Ocean Beach Plunge + Naked Bike Ride (SF)

Thursday, January 1, 2026 - 10:30 am to 3:00 pm | Cost: FREE
Ocean Beach Great Highway & Taraval | Great Highway & Taraval Crossing intersection, San Francisco, CA

Event Details

It’s the 11th Annual New Years Day Polar Plunge and World Naked Bike Ride-San Francisco, Plunge & Beach Party.

Since 2011, the Riptide Bar on Taraval sponsored Polar Plunge that has drawn 400 or more people every year. It stands to reason several hundred will show up to plunge, whether or not the sponsors are there to host it. So let’s do this. On New Years Day, starting at 10:30 am, begin gathering at the intersection of Taraval and the Great Highway. Beginning and ending at Taraval has worked out well and gives us two laps on the Great Highway, so this is where we will continue to meet for the New Years Day Polar Plunge World Naked Bike Ride. If it isn’t raining, then we’ll ride down to the Lincoln end of the Great Highway up to the Cliff House, turn around and head to Sloat by the zoo and back to Taraval. Then we will go down onto Ocean Beach to participate in the Polar Plunge. If the weather is good, we’ll stay around afterwards for our Annual WNBR-SF New Years Day Beach Party. If it is raining; we’ll plunge and we’re done. In past years, many of us have headed up Taraval to some warm libations at the Riptide. It’s a great place to meet new friends and introduce fellow plungers to the upcoming World Naked Bike Ride season. As always, nudity is optional; ride as bare as you dare.

It’s Bring Your Own Feast if you plan on hanging out after the Polar Plunge. In past years, there has been a taco truck near the start. Most people bring a sandwich and some beverages. Bring some extra snacks to share. See you out there New Years Day!!!

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.


Cost: FREE
Categories: **Annual Event**, *Top Pick*, In Person, New Year's Day, Protests / Causes
Venue: Ocean Beach Great Highway & Taraval
Address: Great Highway & Taraval Crossing intersection, San Francisco, CA

Thursday, January 1, 2026

7:30 am   Free Admission Day at SF Botanical Garden for New Year’s Day 2026  FREE*
*Free on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and daily from 7:30-9 am
All Day   SF’s 12 ft. Tall “Sugar Castle” at the Westin St. Francis (Nov. 26-Jan. 2)  FREE
All Day   SF’s Holiday Ice Skating Session at Union Square (New Year’s Day)  $22
10:00 am   13th Annual “First Day” Hike at Jack London Stat Park (North Bay)  $15*
*$15 plus $10 per vehicle park entry fee
10:00 am   Free First Thursdays at SF’s Museum of Craft and Design  FREE*
*Free Admission every First Thursday
11:00 am   Cancelled: Free First Thursdays at Berkeley Art Museum  FREE*
*Free admission to galleries. Film programs are excluded. No advanced tickets required, but subject to capacity limits
11:00 am   2026 New Year’s Day “Hatsumode” Japanese Shrine Visit (SF)  FREE
11:00 am   San Jose’s New Year’s Day “Skate Under the Palms” Ice Skating  $21*
*$21 includes skate rentals
12:00 pm   New Year’s (& Final) Day at San Jose’s “Christmas in the Park”  FREE*
*Free, but donations are accepted
12:00 pm   SFMOMA’s “Free First Thursdays” Free Museum Day for Locals  FREE*
*Residents of the nine Bay Area counties are invited to spend a day at the museum on us
1:00 pm   Free New Year’s Day 2026 Huge Sand Art-Making at Ocean Beach (SF)  FREE*
*Open to all
3:00 pm   Free SF Chamber Orchestra Concert on New Year’s Day (Palo Alto)  FREE*
*Tickets/RSVPs NOT required but it helps us to know you're planning to come. Supporting Members may enter up to an hour before downbeat for first choice seating. General Admission begins at 2:45pm.
4:30 pm   New Year’s Day at Oakland Zoo’s “Glowfari” 2025 Lights Festival  $30.75*
*Adult admission tickets start at $30.75; The Zoo is using dynamic pricing, so ticket prices will vary based on date and time and purchase date. Buy early. Tickets do sell out in advance.
5:00 pm   PIER 39’s Dazzling 60′ Tree Lighting Show (New Year’s Day)  FREE
5:00 pm   SF’s Epic “Photosynthesis” Light Show | Conservatory of Flowers  FREE*
*Free to watch from outside the building.
5:00 pm   SF’s Free DFT Monthly Block Party: “Downtown First Thursdays” (2026)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP
5:00 pm   SF’s DFT New Year’s Day: “Downtown First Thursdays” (2026)  FREE*
*FREE with RSVP
5:00 pm   New Year’s Day at “Lightscape”: Immersive Holiday Light Trail  $32*
*Adult tix start at $32
6:00 pm   Lower Polk / TL Art Walk | Trendyloin  FREE
6:00 pm   SF’s 2025 Macy’s Union Square Great Christmas Tree (Final Night)  FREE
7:00 pm   Hecklers Welcome: SF’s First Stand-Up Comedy Show That Invites Heckling  FREE*
*Free with RSVP
9:00 pm   Every Thursday: “Inner Circle” Dance Party at White Rabbit (SF)  FREE*
*Inner Circle is always Free with RSVP
9:00 pm   16th & Mission Open Mic (w/out a mic)  FREE*
*Absolutely free for all!
9:30 pm   Sadderday: An Emo/Pop-Punk/Screamo Dance Party | SF  FREE
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