Bournemouth | Posted on December 23rd, 2025 | return to news

Take a Christmas dip at Boscombe for charity

Bournemouth’s traditional White Christmas Dip on 25 December will this year take place on the other side of Boscombe Pier.

Brave souls who are prepared to plunge into a cold sea will be able to ‘enjoy’ a slightly different location this year, as Bournemouth’s traditional White Christmas Dip has swapped to the other side of Boscombe Pier.

Hundreds of revellers, many in fancy dress, race into the sea at 10.30am every 25 December to raise funds for Macmillan Caring Locally, the charity which supports the Macmillan Unit hospice at Christchurch Hospital.

The Dip, which was started in 2008 by local cousins John White Jr and Tommy Baker, has only missed one year (during the pandemic) and has raised a whopping £365,000 for the charity.

The organiser of this year’s Dip, Barry Wilson, said: “We usually hold the event to the west of Boscombe Pier, however, because it attracts so many people, we have decided to swap to the area to the east of Boscombe Pier between the Neptune and Urban Reef restaurant, where no vehicles are permitted and it’s safer for pedestrians.

“Online booking for the Dip is now open but closes at midday on Wednesday 24 December with only limited places still available.”