Portishead Popsicle 2026 - Festive Cold Water Swimming Gala

A festive cold-water swimming gala at Portishead Open Air Pool with races, fancy dress, hot tubs and mulled wine, raising funds for the community pool.

Portishead Popsicle is a cold-water swimming gala held at the community-run open air pool, with water temperatures in past years as low as four degrees. Swimmers aged over 14 can enter a range of races including a 133m relay, 133m and 333m freestyle, a 66.6m butterfly, an individual medley, an inflatable unicorn 'Grand National' and a 15-minute team endurance event, with results split by gender and wetsuit category. There is a best fancy dress category, and swimmers are encouraged to fundraise for their own causes. Spectators are welcome free of charge, and hot tubs, mulled wine and hot and cold snacks are available on the day.