Events

Ocean City’s hermit-crab mascot will seek his shadow in a local version of Groundhog Day at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 8, on the beach next to the Music Pier (between Moorlyn Terrace and Ninth Street). Martin Z. Mollusk has successfully predicted an early summer every year for more than four decades (sometimes, of course, with the creative use of flashlights by his handlers).

Martin’s prediction this year will be more important than ever, because we know everybody is anxious for the arrival of summer after a year of so many sacrifices.

Downtown and Boardwalk merchants are throwing a party. “The Best of O.C.” will be on display for this weekend’s Ocean City Block Party Table Sales. The event will not include the outside crafters and vendors that highlight the traditional Spring Block Party, but store owners will display their local merchandise on tables set up outside their storefronts and offer discounts and specials.

The table sales will be open throughout the weekend of May 1 and 2. The forecasts for the weekend call for sunny and warm weather, so it’s a great chance to get down to the shore and enjoy all that Ocean City has to offer.

Downtown and Boardwalk merchants are looking forward to outdoor table sales throughout the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, April 24 and 25. They will display their local merchandise on tables set up outside their storefronts and offer discounts and specials. They will set up again for the weekend of May 1 and 2, when they also will hold a Virtual Spring Block Party with online deals.

Vendors with merchandise and collector’s items representing a variety of sports and teams will be on the Ocean City Music Pier on Saturday, April 24 for the annual Sports Memorabilia Show. The show runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This modified event will be vendor-specific and will not include the autograph signings by sports heroes that fans have come to love in past events. Capacity limits, mask and social distancing requirements will be in place. Call 609-399-6111 for more information.

The Ocean City Fire Department will help the Easter Bunny greet children throughout Ocean City on Saturday, April 3. The Easter Bunny will ride atop a fire engine leaving from the station at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue at about 10 a.m. and finishing at City Hall on Asbury Avenue at about 12:30 p.m.

Anybody can see his planned route through town by clicking here. Families can track his progress in real time by downloading the official Ocean City Vacation app (look for the blue OCNJ icon). Anybody with the app will receive notifications with a link to a map that will follow the Easter Bunny’s trip through town.

What's Happening in Ocean City NJ 3/25/2021

Ocean City is planning to open the 2021 season with a number of safe events for families.

“We’re looking forward to the return of as many events as possible this year, but health and safety will always be our top priority,” Mayor Jay Gillian said. “We may not be able to hold all of them, and some may look different. Every event that happens will fully comply with the most current public health guidelines.”

As the recovery from the pandemic continues, look for further announcements on events throughout the year.

What's Happening in Ocean City, NJ 3/11/2020

Tickets Go on Sale Thursday for Two Special Ocean City Pops Concerts

The Ocean City Pops announced today two special concerts for the 2020 summer season: a tribute that re-creates the legendary 1981 Simon and Garfunkel reunion concert in Central Park and a celebration of doo-wop music. Tickets for both concerts go on sale at 9 a.m. Thursday, March 12.

The “Live in Central Park [Revisited]: Simon and Garfunkel” concert featuring the Ocean City Pops Orchestra is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 22 at the Ocean City Music Pier.

This reproduction of the iconic 1981 concert features award-winning recording artists Lee Lessack and Johnny Rodgers. Lessack and Rodgers will perform all the masterpieces heard on the night that a half-million people gathered in Central Park to witness musical history. The duo will revisit the exact set list, a repertoire of masterpieces that includes “Mrs. Robinson,” “Scarborough Fair,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “The Sound of Silence” and many more. This is not an impersonation, but an homage by two exciting and perfectly matched performers who’ve headlined in venues around the world.

The Doo Wop Project with the Pops is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 at the Music Pier.

What's Happening in Ocean City, NJ 3/4/2020
Ocean City Businesses Team Up for One-Day Sale at the Flanders
Boardwalk and downtown merchants in Ocean City will offer discounts on favorite local merchandise, goods and attractions at a new event planned for Saturday, March 7. “Market Madness” will take place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the historic Flanders Hotel (11^th Street and Boardwalk).

The one-day sale will feature select merchandise, goods and offers from 40 Ocean City vendors. The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, Boardwalk Merchants Association and Downtown Merchants Association are planning the event as an early-season attraction for Ocean City and a chance to preview what will be on the shelves this summer.

Participating Stores will include: 7th Street Surf Shop, Liberty Escape Room, Air Circus Kite Shop, Making Waves, Ben and Jerry's, Manco & Manco Pizza, Birdcage, Mia's Christmas Gallery, Bowfish Kids, OC Waterpark & OC Adventure Golf, Congo Falls Adventure Golf, Ocean City Coffee Company, Costello Awnings, Ocean Treasures, Fisherman's Cove, Playland's Castaway Cove, George's Candies, Sand+Stitch, Gillian's Wonderland Pier, Seagrass Boutique, Hearth & Sole, Shirt Shack, Heritage Surf Shop, Shriver's Salt Water Taffy & Fudge, Jilly's Arcade, Surf Mall, Jilly's Stores, Ta-Dah!, Johnson's Popcorn, The Beachin Bakery, Jon and Patty's Coffee Bar & Bistro, The Shoppes at The Flanders Hotel, L. E. H. Soap Company and We Make It Personal.

What's Happening in Ocean City, NJ 2/26/2020
Registration Open for Participating Boats and Homes
Plans for the 66^th annual edition of Ocean City’s premier summer event, Night in Venice, are in the works, and registration for participating boats and waterfront homes is now open. The parade this year starts at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2020.

This year’s theme – “The Olympics: Go for the Gold” – will be a nod to the Olympic Games. The theme is entirely optional but offers a chance to pay tribute to more than 120 years of competition among athletes from more than 200 nations. The 2020 Summer Games will run July 24 through Aug. 9 in Tokyo.

The boat parade and decorated home contest are a highlight of the season in Ocean City. Thousands of spectators line the bay, and thousands more attend private parties at homes along the route from the Ocean City-Longport Bridge to Tennessee Avenue. A fireworks display caps off the bayfront festivities at dusk after the parade.

Entries for boats and homes are currently being accepted online at www.ocnj.us/niv or by calling 609-399-6111.

What's Happening in Ocean City, NJ 2/19/2020

Ocean City’s popular Summer Concert Series on the Music Pier announces two new acts for the 2020 season: Don McLean with opening act Al Stewart (August 17) and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (July 6). Tickets go on sale Thursday, Feb. 20 for both these shows with a special pre-sale (use code BRE) 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19.

McLean is best known for his eight-and-a-half minute epic sing-along “American Pie,” and Stewart hit it big in the 1970s with tracks like “Year of the Cat” and “Time Passages.” Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes are icons of the Jersey Shore music scene and are still rocking with soulful guitars and blistering horns.

The Summer Concert Series is nearly complete, and tickets are on sale now for eight different shows. The series brings popular rock and contemporary music acts to the stage usually on Monday nights throughout the summer.

What's Happening in Ocean City, NJ 2/12/2020

Boardwalk and downtown merchants in Ocean City will offer discounts on favorite local merchandise, goods and attractions at a new event planned for Saturday, March 7. “Market Madness” will take place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the historic Flanders Hotel.

Parking will be free, and food will be available for purchase a la carte.

What's Happening in Ocean City, NJ 2/5/2020

Punxsutawney Phil just predicted an early spring, and we have a sneaking suspicion (based on his unblemished record) that Martin Z. Mollusk will predict an early summer when he seeks his shadow on May 9. That all means it’s time to get planning for another great year of fun in Ocean City. Reserve your spots now to make sure you don’t miss out on these great events.

A season of non-stop special events will kick into high gear on April 3 with the start of the three-day Girls Weekend. The Flanders Hotel, Port-O-Call, Biscayne Suites, Northwood Inn, Ocean City Mansion and Inn the Gardens Bed-and-Breakfast are taking reservations for special package deals, and tickets will go on sale soon for the Fashion Show kickoff. Look for details and new announcements on the Girls Weekend event page on Facebook.

The same weekend brings us OC Con 2020, Ocean City’s annual comics and memorabilia festival, scheduled for April 4 and 5 at the Ocean City Music Pier. More information is available at ocnjcon.com.

What's Happening in Ocean City, NJ 1/29/2020

Tickets for two popular summer theater series in Ocean City will go on sale starting 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 3.

The Ocean City Pops orchestra and the Ocean City Theatre Company will bring a professional cast to town for performances of the musicals “The Producers” and “The Sound of Music.” OCTC also will bring a variety of favorites to life in “Broadway on the OC Boardwalk.” The annual Children’s Theater Series will bring five different morning shows to the Ocean City Music Pier.

Details on the Broadway Series are as follows:

What's Happening in Ocean City, NJ 1/22/2020

Barry Williams to Lead Doo Dah Parade and Host Mr. Mature America Pageant 

Registration Now Open for Participants in Both Events

Barry Williams, who starred as Greg Brady in the classic sitcom “The Brady Bunch,” will be grand marshal of the 2020 Doo Dah Parade in Ocean City on April 18 and return that night to emcee the Mr. Mature America Pageant.

Williams began his acting career at age 11 and appeared in shows such as “Dragnet,” “Gomer Pyle,” “The Mod Squad” and “Mission Impossible” before landing his iconic role as America’s most reliable big brother in “The Brady Bunch.” He performed in the title role of the Broadway musical “Pippin” and has appeared in more than 85 other musical theater productions. He is an author, has worked as a SiriusXM DJ and entertained troops on world USO tours. He currently lives in Branson, Mo., with his wife, Tina, and plays in the musical trio Barry Williams and the Travelers.

All Invited to Join Day of Service and Attend Annual MLK Ceremony

What's Happening in Ocean City, NJ 1/15/2020

Ocean City will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at two different events on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020: the Day of Service and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony and Soul Food Dinner.

The ceremony, a long tradition in Ocean City, will be held at noon at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center of Ocean City High School. It brings the community together to remember King through words, song and dance. After the program, everybody is invited to a free soul food dinner in the high school cafeteria.

Assemblyman-elect Antwan McClellan, Joseph Pratt, Georgina Shanley, Brittany Battle, Takiya Wilson and Joshua Baker will be honored with Martin Luther King Awards for their service to the community. Ocean City Intermediate School students James Burke and Ethan Meron will be honored for their winning essays reflecting on the lasting impact of Dr. King.

What's Happening in Ocean City, NJ 1/8/19

Tickets on Sale for Marshall Tucker Band, Judy Collins and Arlo Guthrie, Killer Queen, Straight No Chaser and Get The Led Out

Ocean City’s popular Summer Concert Series on the Music Pier is already taking shape, and tickets are on sale now for five different shows. The series brings popular rock and contemporary music acts to the stage on Monday nights throughout the summer.

Ticket sales are open for the following shows:

• Get The Led Out: A perennial favorite tribute to Led Zeppelin. 7 p.m. Monday, June 22. Tickets
• Judy Collins and Arlo Guthrie: Two folk legends share the stage in Ocean City. 7 p.m. Monday, June 29. Tickets
• Killer Queen: The premier Queen tribute featuring Patrick Myers as Freddie Mercury. 7 p.m. Monday, July 13. Tickets
• Straight No Chaser: An a cappella group with a wide repertoire and viral appeal. 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Monday, July 20. Tickets
• Marshall Tucker Band and Pure Prairie League: Bands who helped invent Southern rock and country rock. 7 p.m. Monday, August 24. Tickets

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in Ocean City 2020
Events Offer a Chance for the Entire Family to Celebrate Together 

Ocean City marks the 28th anniversary of its popular family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration this year, and as many as 10,000 are expected to attend. First Night offers more than 70 opportunities to catch 35 different shows and activities at 22 venues throughout town. The lineup includes entertainment to satisfy every taste and age group. A fireworks display rings in the new year at midnight. The fun continues on New Year’s Day with a 5-kilometer run on the boardwalk and the wildly popular First Plunge in the Atlantic Ocean.

All-inclusive admission buttons are on sale now and available at firstnightocnj.com and at locations throughout town.

New entertainment for this year’s lineup includes The Trammps (the Philadelphia-based band who made it big with “Disco Inferno” and other dance hits), Disney’s Imagination Movers (an Emmy-winning group performing an interactive, family-friendly rock concert), a stunt basketball show from the Harlem Wizards, the Duprees performing with the Ocean City Pops, a country line dancing experience with professionals teaching everyone the latest dances, and the Legacy Band performing party classics leading up to a confetti countdown at midnight.

The rides are back this year at Wonderland Pier, and traditional favorites will include ice-skating on a synthetic rink, open swim at the Aquatic and Fitness Center pool, the Franklin Institute interactive science show, string bands, magic shows, trivia, karaoke, and more. The evening is capped off with midnight fireworks launched from the beach between Fifth Street and Sixth Street.

Here’s our guide to how to enjoy First Night and First Day in Ocean City.

2020 Guide to First Night and First Day in Ocean City

WHAT: Ocean City marks the 28th anniversary of its popular family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration this year, and as many as 10,000 are expected to attend. First Night offers more than 70 opportunities to catch 35 different shows and activities at 22 venues throughout town. The lineup includes entertainment to satisfy every taste and age group. A fireworks display rings in the new year at midnight. The fun continues on New Year’s Day with a 5-kilometer run on the boardwalk and the wildly popular First Plunge in the Atlantic Ocean.

WHEN: First Night events run 4 p.m. to midnight on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019. The First Day 5K starts at 1 p.m. and the First Plunge goes off at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020.

ADMISSION BUTTONS: Buttons ($20) are good for all events. Children age 2 and under are free. They are on sale now.

• Online: Visit firstnightocnj.com.
• By phone:Call 609-399-6111.
• In person:Buttons can be purchased at the Welcome Center on the Route 52 causeway, at City Hall (861 Asbury Avenue) and at the Ocean City Music Pier Welcome Center (Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace).

Pickup at will-call will be available daily at the City Hall Welcome Center (Ninth Street entrance). Button sales and will-call pickup will be at the City Hall Welcome Center until 9 p.m. Dec. 31. Button sales and will-call pickup will move to the Music Pier Welcome Center from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 31.

What's Happening in OCNJ 12/17/19

Ocean City will continue to roll out the red carpet for residents and visitors with a variety of events through Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Ocean City Theatre Company will give three more performances of "Lights, Camera Christmas: the 2019 Holiday Spectacular" at the Ocean City Music Pier. Purchase at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, by calling 609-399-6111, or in-person at the City Hall Welcome Center (9th Street and Asbury Avenue) or the Roy Gillian Welcome Center (on the causeway leading to Ninth Street).

Saturday and Sunday will provide the last opportunities for children to visit with Santa Claus before he heads back to the North Pole to get ready for the big day. He will meet with families during Breakfast With Santa 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at these restaurants: 

What's Happening in Ocean City, NJ 12/11/19

Life Saving Station to Host Events on the Wreck of the Sindia

The Ocean City Music Pier stage will light up with the sights and sounds of the season as the Ocean City Theatre Company gives five performances of “Lights, Camera Christmas: the 2019 Holiday Spectacular” over the next two weekends. Tickets are on sale now for the annual holiday show.

The cast of professional singers and dancers will present a family–oriented, song-and-dance tribute to the holidays, directed and choreographed by Elizabeth Worley, Brendan Maly and Michael Hartman. Through dazzling costumes, familiar songs, special guests, toe-tapping numbers and special effects, this extravaganza will kindle the holiday spirit. Performances will be:

• 7:30 pm Friday, Dec. 13
• 2:00 pm Saturday, Dec. 14
• 7:30 pm Friday, Dec. 20
• 7:30 pm Saturday, Dec 21
• 2 pm Sunday, Dec 22

What's Happening in Ocean City, NJ 12/4/19

Full Schedule of Holiday Events Continues Throughout December

Ocean City’s annual Christmas Parade travels down Asbury Avenue at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. Lights, garland, wreaths and bows adorn “The Avenue” for the season, and the parade will bring a variety of bands, floats and other entries to add a little warmth to the winter.

The event gives spectators time to shop and dine on downtown Asbury Avenue before and after the 6 p.m. start time. The parade starts at Sixth Street and proceeds to 11^th Street.

This year’s parade will feature more than 65 entries, including the Ocean City High School Band, the Interboro Middle and High School Band, the Pitman High School Band, Absegami High School Band and Wildwood Middle School and High School Band. More than 80 singers from the Upper Township School District, the state champion Ocean City High School girls’ soccer team, 2019 Ocean City Citizen of the Year Carrie Merritt and the casts of Ocean City Theater Company’s “2019 Holiday Spectacular” and “Frozen Jr” will participate. At least five dance schools will compete in the “Dancin’ Through the Downtown” competition. Little Miss, Junior Miss and Miss Ocean City all will be on hand.