With air temperatures hovering below freezing Sunday morning, thousands of Chicagoans decided it was a great day for a swim.
About 4,300 swimmers gathered at North Avenue Beach for the 26th annual Polar Plunge, put on by Special Children's Charities. Each year, participants raise money for Special Olympics Illinios, and this year's group has garnered more than $1.5 million in donations, falling short of the $2 million goal and down from last year's total of $1.7 million, according to the event's website.
Swimmers — some in swimsuits, others in full costume — ran into the lake and dunked, shrieked and gasped from the cold. The lake temperature was 35 degrees as swimmers jumped in. Crayons, Santa Claus and hot dogs were among the costumes participants donned.
Mayor Brandon Johnson participated two years ago, when the event set a record with more than 5,000 attendees taking the dip in unseasonably warm weather and donations totaled of $1.9 million.
Thousands jump into a chilly 35 degree Lake Michigan for the 26th annual Chicago Polar Plunge, benefitting the Special Olympics Illinois, at North Avenue Beach, Sunday, March 1, 2026. In total, 4300 plungers raised over 1.5 million dollars for the charity. | Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times.
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Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Thousands jump into a chilly 35 degree Lake Michigan for the 26th annual Chicago Polar Plunge, benefitting the Special Olympics Illinois, at North Avenue Beach, Sunday, March 1, 2026. In total, 4300 plungers raised over 1.5 million dollars for the charity. | Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times.
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Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Thousands run into a chilly 35 degree Lake Michigan for the 26th annual Chicago Polar Plunge, benefitting the Special Olympics Illinois, at North Avenue Beach, Sunday, March 1, 2026. In total, 4300 plungers raised over 1.5 million dollars for the charity. | Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times.
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Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Thousands jump into a chilly 35 degree Lake Michigan for the 26th annual Chicago Polar Plunge, benefitting the Special Olympics Illinois, at North Avenue Beach, Sunday, March 1, 2026. In total, 4300 plungers raised over 1.5 million dollars for the charity. | Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times.
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Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Thousands jump into a chilly 35 degree Lake Michigan for the 26th annual Chicago Polar Plunge, benefitting the Special Olympics Illinois, at North Avenue Beach, Sunday, March 1, 2026. In total, 4300 plungers raised over 1.5 million dollars for the charity. | Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times.
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Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
