Jan. 1

Polar Bear Plunge: The icy plunge is back and there are now two location options. From 10 to 10:30 a.m., enjoy a fine dip at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, or a brisk swim at Henry Moses Aquatic Center from 12 to 12:30 p.m. Bring a towel and some dry clothes to change into, and be sure to register for both locations. Register for free at rentonwa.gov/register. Gene Coulon is located at 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. North and Henry Moses is located at 1719 SE Maple Valley Highway.

Jan. 10

Grand Kyiv Ballet presents The Snow Queen at IKEA Performing Arts Center: From the most prestigious Ukrainian ballet company by way of Bellevue, this adaptation of The Snow Queen — the fairytale that inspired Disney’s “Frozen” — will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $49-$59 and can be purchased at grandkyivballet.com.ua/en/events/snow-queen-ikea-performing-arts-center-january-10-2025. Located at 400 South 2nd Street in Renton.

Jan. 14

The Renton American Legion Fred Hancock Post 19 Business Meeting: The Renton American Legion Fred Hancock Post 19 meets the second Tuesday of every month, except July and August, at 7 p.m. at the Post Hall, 3224 NE 12th Street, in the Renton Highlands, under the water tower. All veterans welcome. Most vets eligible for membership. America’s premier patriotic veterans organization and the prime driver of the original G.I. Bill, the Legion focuses on service to veterans and has influenced considerable social change in America, won hundreds of benefits for veterans, and produced many important programs for the community, children and youth.

Jan. 16

Café Vets: Monthly gathering of veterans and guests for coffee and refreshments hosted by Renton American Legion Post 19 and Auxiliary Unit 19 on the third Thursday of every month (except December) from 10 a.m. to noon. Come for coffee, camaraderie and goodies. Legion membership is not a requirement, though most veterans are eligible for membership. Post Service Officer will be on hand, in case someone needs assistance with a VA claim. No agenda, just veterans getting together with other veterans and their friends. Post Hall is in the Renton Highlands, under the water tower (3224 Northeast 12th Street).

Jan. 18

Free Museum Day at the Renton History Museum: Enjoy the wonders of the past with free admission to the museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free museum days are every first Wednesday and third Saturday of each month. Located at 235 Mill Avenue South in Renton.

Jan. 21

Project Be Free presents Family Resource Night at VFW Post 1263: From 3-7 p.m., get connected with nonprofits and organizations throughout Renton and South King County that provide counseling, legal support, support groups, youth mentorship and more. This free event takes place every month on the third Tuesday. VFW Post 1263 is located at 416 Burnett Avenue South. Call 425-324-5030 or visit project-be-free.com.

Jan. 28

The Renton Reporter Read-All-About-It at Drum Roll Wine: The Renton Reporter invites you to join the paper from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for some informal conversation, wine, food and a local guest speaker. You’ll be able to ask the newspaper staff about their work and their recent stories, learn how to support local journalism and just talk about all things Renton. This event takes place on the last Tuesday of each month. Drum Roll Wine is located at 911 South 3rd Street in Renton.

Saturdays

Renton Parkrun at Cedar River Trail: This weekly 5K community event takes place every Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Cedar River Trail trailhead by the I-405 overpass. This free event does require registration but is meant to be a fun event where walkers, joggers, runners, volunteers and spectators can come together. For more information, visit parkruns.us/renton/ and the exact coordinates of the event are 47.4802N, -122.199W.

Have a Renton-related event coming up? Want to submit your own photo to be featured with the calendar? Email baileyjo.josie@rentonreporter.com to submit a Renton-based public event or photo to be included in our weekly events calendar.