Registration underway for 11th Annual Wrightsville Plunge

Wrightsville Beach, NC (WWAY) — Registration is underway for the 11th Annual Wrightsville Plunge, a New Year’s Day plunge into the Atlantic that supports local youth.

The event is on January 1st, 2026. Activities will kick off at 11 a.m. with Plunges at noon and 12:30 p.m. and there will be a ticketed afterparty at South End Surf Shop.

Thousands of community members, from first-time Plungers to longtime participants will hit the beach in costumes to ring in the new year with a splash and a commitment to student success. The event has drawn over 1,200 participants and countless spectators on New Year’s Day in recent years.

Registration includes a t-shirt of your choosing, a trucker hat or beanie, and access to family-friendly fun. The Plunge also features music, games, a costume contest, fun photo ops, and a festive ticketed afterparty offering craft beer, pizza, and music.

Participants may plunge at 12 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. and are encouraged to arrive early, as shuttles will run from Wrightsville Beach Park starting at 10 a.m.

All proceeds support Communities In Schools of Cape Fear (CIS). Through its work in 34 local public schools across New Hanover and Pender counties, CIS offers academic help, after-school programs, mentoring, and mental health support to help under-resourced students stay in school and thrive.

Tickets are $40, and afterparty tickets are $15. For more information on this event, click this link.