diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 324c3103b2..46eda4410c 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ Versioned according to [Semantic Versioning](http://semver.org/).
 
 ## Unreleased
 
+## [2.61.0] - 2024-01-23
+
 Changed:
 
   * :fire: simplify the project layout and distribution policy, #1166
@@ -1967,6 +1969,7 @@ Fixed
 Initial Release
 
 <!-- link-labels -->
+[2.61.0]: ../../compare/v2.61.0..v2.60.3
 [2.60.3]: ../../compare/v2.60.3..v2.60.2
 [2.60.2]: ../../compare/v2.60.2..v2.60.1
 [2.60.1]: ../../compare/v2.60.1..v2.60.0
diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 69038bae7e..26c014497f 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-2.60.3
+2.61.0