Santa Claus appears on the roof of City Hall to entertain the crowds at the downtown Christmas celebration. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)
From Winterfest by the Sea on Nov. 16 through the First Night and First Day celebrations on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, Ocean City has a full calendar of family-friendly events lined up.
The fifth annual Winterfest By The Sea at the Ocean City Civic Center on Nov. 16 kicks things off. The event will include craft vendors, food vendors and a strolling Santa will be present. Shopping hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The “Earlier than the Bird” Downtown Shopping Extravaganza has become a fun tradition for holiday shoppers in Ocean City. The event is always held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and encourages folks to shop in their pajamas for early-bird specials at stores on downtown Asbury Avenue. Check it out from 8 a.m. to noon on Nov. 23.
Free Horse and Carriage Rides along decorated downtown Asbury Avenue also begin on Nov. 23. They are available on weekends (including Nov. 23, 29, 30 and Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22) from noon to 3 p.m. with boarding at Sixth Street.
The Ocean City Fire Department will be ready in case Santa makes his usual landing on the roof of City Hall at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29. While others are crowding the malls on Black Friday, you can enjoy the old-fashioned Christmas in the Downtown – “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue.” Join the downtown merchants and Chamber of Commerce in shopping, caroling and other entertainment.
There will be a couple options for getting photos with Santa. He will be available for Photos with Santa in a Lifeguard Boat from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 at the Ocean City Music Pier. On the same dates, Santa also will be available to visit with kids from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Downtown at Mark Soifer Park (9th Street and Asbury Avenue).
The annual Christmas Parade is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 on Asbury Avenue from 6th Street to 11th Street.
Old-fashioned carriage rides will add to the festive spirit of the holiday season. Another holiday tradition is the Train Show at the Ocean City Music Pier. The free event features model train displays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8.
Festive Fridays are on tap for Dec. 13 and 20. Join downtown Ocean City merchants as they celebrate the holiday season with shopping specials. Enjoy horse-and-carriage rides from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. through the downtown adorned with thousands of Christmas lights and shop for some for the best gifts this holiday season. Two pickup locations include the Tabernacle (Sixth and Asbury) and OceanFirst Bank (10th and Asbury).
Tickets are on sale now for a new holiday trolley tour geared toward families with young children. The Jolly Trolley Lights Tour on Dec. 17 will include a tour of Ocean City homes decorated for the holidays, a photo with Santa and a Christmas craft project
Trolley riders are encouraged to dress warmly in their pajamas and enjoy hot cocoa and other treats. Two tours are scheduled: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 17 and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 17. They will be staged from the Ocean City Senior Center at 1735 Simpson Avenue. Space is limited, so get your tickets ($30 per person) now by visiting ocnj.us/jollytrolley.
Carolers in Victorian-era attire stroll the downtown to add to the Christmas atmosphere.It’s not too early to think about celebrating the arrival of 2025 at Ocean City’s family-friendly First Night New Year’s Eve celebration. All-inclusive admission buttons are on sale now.
Tickets are available:
First Night offers more than 70 entertain programs at 20 different venues throughout town on Dec. 31. One $20 button is good for all programs. Don’t wait, because button sales are limited at the price goes up to $25 on Dec. 1.
Headline entertainment at the Ocean City Music Pier this year will include a tribute to the music of the Eagles and the “Yacht Rock Gold Experience.” The return of perennial favorites like outdoor ice-skating, a magic show, a mentalist, a ventriloquist, the Harlem Wizards, Japanese drummers and a variety of other shows also highlight the entertainment lineup.
The Ocean City Pops (with a Rodgers & Hammerstein Extravaganza), Yellow Brick Road: A Tribute to Elton John, the Cape Shore Chorale, a dueling pianos performance, and the Sensational Soul Cruisers are among the additional musical entertainment options.
First Night admission buttons are $20 each if bought before Dec. 1 and then go up to $25 afterward. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)New this year will be a drone light show in the sky over Carey Stadium synced to music. As always, the festivities will end with a fireworks display to ring in the new year at midnight.
First Night’s 2025 sponsors include the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Cape May County Division of Culture and Heritage, McMahon Insurance Agency, Ocean City Free Public Library, Uncle Bill’s Pancake House and Atlantic City Electric.
The festivities will continue with First Day events on Jan. 1, 2025. Registration is now open for the First Day 5K running race on the Boardwalk: ocnj.us/OCNJ-FIRST-DAY-RUN/WALK.
Complete information on First Night is available at firstnightocnj.com.
ALSO COMING UP IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER:
Veterans Day Program (Nov. 11): 11 a.m. inside the Ocean City Tabernacle (550 Wesley Avenue).
Lucinda Williams and Her Band (Nov. 23): The concert begins at 8 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets available at etix.com.
Fast & Furriest 5K Turkey Trot (Nov. 28): Annual 5K race on the Ocean City Boardwalk benefits the Humane Society of Ocean City. For more information call 609-398-9500 ext. 4 or visit hsocnj.org.
Anastasia: The Musical (Youth Edition) (Dec. 14 and 15): Presented by the Ocean City Theatre Company’s Junior Company, the musical is a 60-minute adaptation of the Broadway hit specially tailored for young actors. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets can be purchased at www.oceancitytheatrecompany.com.
Runners hit the Boardwalk for the New Year's Day Turkey Trot race. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)
