Bay Area Weekend Events: Japanese bell-ringing ceremony, Polar Bear Plunge, Skate
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- We've partnered with the team at Hoodline - the hyper local neighborhood website to find weekend activities in and around the Bay Area.
Japanese Bell Ringing Ceremony
Out with the old and in with the new -- take a swing at a 2,100-pound, 16th-century temple bell.
The 32nd annual japanese bell ringing ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Asian Art Museum near Civic Center.
It's a purification ritual. The bell will be struck 108 times to usher in the New Year and get rid of the 108 mortal desires that, according to Buddhist belief, torment humankind.
The event is fun for the whole family and is free with admission to the museum.
Click here for more information.
Dive into 2018 at the seventh annual polar bear plunge. It's on Monday, Jan. 1 at 10 a.m. at Ocean Beach. It's also free to attend for all ages.
Make sure to bring a blanket to warm up afterward and maybe some dry clothes.
Click here for more information.
If you don't want to take the plunge, instead stay on top of the ice. Try the cool New Year tradition -- the Polar Bear Skate. It will be held on Jan. 1 at the ice rink in San Francisco's Union Square.
The event goes from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Skaters are encouraged to come in their favorite beach wear or bathing suit. It costs about $15. There are plenty of prizes as well, including one for best costume.
Click here for more information.
MORE TO DO: Enjoy the weekend, and don't forget to check out Hoodline's events calendar for more ideas.
