The Chicago Polar Bear Club kicks off its annual New Year’s Day swim at noon with a meet-up at the North Avenue Beach boathouse (1600 N. Lake Shore Drive). Swimsuit-clad participants (neither nudity nor wet suits are allowed) will pose for pictures and hold a “group disrobing” before jumping into Lake Michigan. Participants must fully submerge themselves to become “official” polar bears (no medical staff will be on-site); onlookers are also welcome. The weather forecast calls for a high of 18 degrees.