WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OCEAN CITY
Winterfest By The Sea Kicks Off 2026 Holiday Season
The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to get in the spirit of the holidays at the sixth annual Winterfest By The Sea Holiday Shopping Extravaganza from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Ocean City Civic Center.
The event includes festive local craft and food vendors and an opportunity to find unique gifts for everyone on your list. Santa will be strolling the marketplace. Look for special guest appearances from other popular characters.
The Civic Center is located just off the Boardwalk between Fifth Street and Sixth Street with lots of free adjacent parking (entrance from Fifth Street). You won’t want to miss this cozy coastal celebration.
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS PARADE PARTICIPANTS
Registration is now open for the annual Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4. Anybody who would like to enter a walking unit, float, musical act, car or dance/cheer team, can register by Nov. 27 at ocnj.us/christmas-parade.
MORE HOLIDAY EVENTS COMING UP
The “Earlier than the Bird” Downtown Shopping Extravaganza from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 21, invites everyone to shop in their pajamas for early bird shopping specials along downtown Asbury Avenue on the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Free horse-drawn carriage rides will start from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, with boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue. They will continue during the same hours on Nov. 27, 28 and 29, then on weekends in December.
St. Frances Cabrini Church will host the annual Ocean City Ecumenical Council Community Thanksgiving Service at 12 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2026. The service — sponsored by the Ocean City Ministerium and the Ecumenical Council — will include Thanksgiving hymns of praise and gratitude, Thanksgiving reflections and the Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamation. Members of the clergy from many Ocean City churches will participate. All are invited to attend. A dessert fellowship will follow the service. The offering received will support the Ecumenical Council Food Cupboard and Clothes Closet. St Frances Cabrini is located at 114 Atlantic Avenue in Ocean City.
The Ocean City Humane Society’s annual Fast & Furriest 5K Turkey Trot is set for Thanksgiving morning on the Ocean City Boardwalk. For more information and registration details, call 609-398-9500 ext. 4 or visit hsocnj.org
Christmas in the Downtown – “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue” will give everyone a chance to celebrate “Black Friday” Ocean City-style from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 27. Join the local merchants and the Chamber in kicking off an old-fashioned downtown Christmas, culminating at 5 p.m. with the arrival of Santa Claus.
The annual Ocean City Pops Holiday Show at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, will feature classic Christmas song favorites and modern hits, led by conductor Vince Lee. The show is at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets are available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, by visiting any Welcome Center or by calling 609-399-6111.
Santa Claus will visit with children and be available for photos on weekends starting Nov. 28 and 29. He will be downtown at Mark Soifer Park (Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue) from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., then outside the Music Pier in a lifeguard boat from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Mark your calendars for the annual Christmas Parade on Asbury Avenue at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4. Registration information for participants is available at ocnj.us/christmas-parade.
FIRST NIGHT ADMISSION BUTTONS ON SALE NOW
It’s not too early to start making plans to ring in 2027 at Ocean City’s family-friendly First Night New Year’s Eve celebration. All-inclusive admission buttons are on sale now.
First Night Ocean City has become a favorite New Year’s Eve tradition for families, offering an entire evening of entertainment and activities at venues throughout town on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026. One admission button provides access to the full lineup of First Night entertainment. This will be the 34th year for the celebration.
Tickets are available:
