What’s Happening in Ocean City, NJ 11/23/22
Ocean City Pops Orchestra Performs Special Holiday Show on Saturday
Ocean City’s small-town version of “Black Friday” takes place on Friday, Nov. 25. Christmas in the Downtown – “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue” – goes from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature carolers and performers along downtown Asbury Avenue between Sixth Street and 14th Street.
Downtown stores will offer discount shopping for gifts, and many Asbury Avenue restaurants will be open. Free horse-and-carriage rides will be available noon to 3 p.m. with boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue. Santa will visit with children 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Mark Soifer Park (Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue). Entertainment and Christmas carols will begin at 4 p.m. on the steps of City Hall at Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue.
The event culminates around 5 p.m. when Santa Claus will emerge on the rooftop of City Hall. With the help of an Ocean City Fire Department ladder truck, Santa will descend and help light the Christmas Tree and illuminate City Hall.
The shopping discounts will continue on Nov. 26 as downtown merchants celebrate Small Business Saturday.
Music lovers can enjoy a special holiday performance of the Ocean City Pops Orchestra on Saturday, Nov. 26. Led by conductor Vince Lee, the Pops will perform classic favorites and modern holiday hits featuring soloist Angel Gomez. More information and online ticket sales are available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier.
Free Horse and Carriage Rides (weekends through Dec. 17-18): Noon to 3 p.m. with boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.
Fast & Furriest 5k Turkey Trot (Nov. 24): The annual Thanksgiving morning 5-kilometer run begins at 8:30 a.m. and follows a course down the Ocean City Boardwalk. The event also includes a 5K walk and a one-mile fun run. Sponsored by the Humane Society of Ocean City. Online registration is at runsignup.com, and race-day registration opens at 7 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier.
Visits With Santa (weekends through Dec. 17-18): 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Mark Soifer Park (Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue). For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.
Photos With Santa in an OCBP Lifeguard Boat (weekends through Dec. 17-18): 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.
Christmas Parade (Dec. 2): 6 p.m. on Asbury Avenue from 6th Street to 12th Street. Registration for anybody who would like to be in the parade is still open at ocnj.us/christmas-parade.
Holiday Book Sale (Dec. 2-3): The Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library will hold a used book sale in the atrium of the library (1735 Simpson Avenue) 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Shop for books, audiobooks and more.
Train Show (Dec. 3-4): Free admission to model train show 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
‘Willy Wonka JR’ (Dec. 10-11): Ocean City Theatre Company students in grades 3 to 8 will present this stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic story. Show times are 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11. More information and online ticket sales are available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.
Ocean City Holiday Spectacular (Dec. 16-18): A cast of professional singers and dancers will present a high-energy, family–oriented, song-and-dance tribute to the holidays. The Ocean City Theatre Company show will feature dazzling costumes, familiar songs, special guests, toe-tapping numbers and special effects in a musical journey through seasonal favorites. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17; and 2 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Ocean City Music Pier. More information and online ticket sales are available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.
First Night New Year’s Eve Celebration (Dec. 31): Celebrate New Year’s Eve with the entire family. The 30th anniversary of this Ocean City event will feature traditional favorites like rides, ice-skating and magicians, along with headline entertainment including the Chicago tribute band Brass Transit and the Bee Gees tribute band Stayin’ Alive. For a complete schedule and to purchase all-inclusive admission buttons, please visit firstnightocnj.com.
First Day Celebration (Jan. 1, 2023): Activities include a 1 p.m. 5K run on the Boardwalk (pre-register at https://www.ocnj.us/race-events), a 2 p.m. First Dip polar plunge, and an all-day Shopping Extravaganza. Visit firstnightocnj.com for more information.
