Seward Polar Bear Jump 

January 17th 2026

The 2026 Seward Polar Bear Jump and festival took place January 16-18th including the parade, Polar Bear Carnival, Live Auction, and more! Find out more and stay up to date for next year by visiting the official Seward Polar Bear Jump Website! 

The History: The Seward Polar Bear Jump Festival is a winter festival based in Seward, Ak. It first started in 1986 as the official Cabin Fever Reliever for Alaskans. Brave souls take the plunge into the icy waters of Resurrection Bay annually in an effort to raise money for charity. In 1990 the Seward local volunteers of the event established a 501(3)c known as the Seward Polar Bear Jump-off Festival, Inc (DBA SPBJ) to ensure funds raised are kept in the local community. Funds raised by SPBJ goes towards the Kenai Peninsula Children with Cancer Grant Program. Our grant programs gives money to families that have children battling Cancer on the Kenai Peninsula here in Alaska. 

2026 Polar Bear Jump Festival Schedule!