Rehoboth Cancels 2026 Polar Bear Plunge After Major Snowstorm

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Rehoboth Beach, Delaware has canceled the upcoming 2026 Lewes Polar Bear Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge as the town continues dealing with the aftermath of a recent severe snowstorm. The boardwalk and beach crossings remain snow-covered, making the event unsafe to hold. While some indoor events will continue as scheduled, the plunge itself will not be rescheduled this year.

Why it matters

The Polar Bear Plunge is a major annual fundraiser for Special Olympics Delaware, so the cancellation will impact the organization's ability to raise money and support its programs. The snowstorm also highlights the challenges coastal towns face in recovering from extreme weather events.

The details

Organizers of the Polar Bear Plunge and 5K announced the cancellation on February 26th, noting that the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk and all beach crossings remain snow-covered, along with many downtown sidewalks. The event had already been rescheduled from its original February 1st date due to severe weather in late January.

• The Polar Bear Plunge and 5K were originally scheduled for February 1, 2026.
• The events were rescheduled to March 1, 2026 after the initial weather delay.
• On February 26, 2026, organizers announced the events were canceled due to the ongoing snowstorm impacts.