Medicine Park’s Annual Freezing Polar Plunge Coming Quickly

If you've ever been to or lived near Medicine Park, you're well aware of how they do things in their own way. The city and the people embrace the fun of life, and the town's charming, vibrant atmosphere makes visitors forget that they're still in southern Oklahoma. Medicine Park is off the beaten path in more ways than one - from its tucked-away location to their laid-back sense of fun.

So, it should come as no surprise to say that one of the biggest highlight events each year surrounds locals and visitors diving into the freezing February waters of Bath Lake, known as the Polar Plunge.

This year's Polar Plunge may look a little different than years past, but the fun won't be slowing down. Instead, here are the best ways to fully enjoy the Polar Plunge and its entire experience.

Medicine Park Polar Plunge happening on Saturday, February 7, 2026.

The Polar Plunge isn't just about the two minutes that people spend jumping into the water. Each year, the event starts off with an early pre-game kick off at the Park Tavern, where guests also line up for the parade that leads everyone down to Bath Lake.

This year, the lineup for the parade begins at 1:45 p.m. and they begin the walk down to Bath Lake at 2 p.m. Every year, Santa Charlie leads the way. This year, we're still waiting to confirm if he will be leading the charge and plunging in the water like he did last year, despite having some health issues.

While the town did attempt to have a Polar Plunge week in the past, they've decided to save the fun for just the day of the jump. Here's how you can make the most of the day's event.

Polar Plunge Event - arrive early, hungry, and amped up for fun.

The day starts much earlier in Medicine Park on the day of the Plunge. The town quickly fills up with people and runs low on parking spaces and places to sit, so it's best to arrive extra early.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially for the jumpers, so get a good breakfast in at Joe Mountain Breakfast Bar as early as 7 a.m. until noon. While waiting for the Park Tavern to open up for liquid courage, take a stroll on the river walk, hike a nearby hiking trail, or enjoy the view of Mount Scott, which is a mere 14 minutes away.

READ MORE: Family-Friendly Lineup of Events in Lawton Happening in 2026 

By the time the Tavern opens up, most of the surrounding businesses like Nice Ice Baby, The White Buffalo Trading Post, Bootleggers, Small Mountain Street Tacos, and more may start opening their doors for visitors.

Several of these places will also be hosting live music after the big jump, along with food and drink specials, and delicious means of heating back up.

Luckily, Medicine Park is one of the easiest towns to stroll through and find something to do without much effort. And event if it's freezing cold on the big day, everyone's jumping. So plan on being there, rain or shine, for one of the largest events of the year.