WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OCEAN CITY
The early forecast calls for clear and cool weather on Saturday – ideal conditions to kick off the holiday season along downtown Asbury Avenue. In Ocean City, that means shopping in your pajamas for the Earlier Than the Bird celebration.
The annual downtown shopping extravaganza takes place 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 19 – the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Anybody (pajama-clad or not) can take advantage of early-bird shopping specials at stores on Asbury Avenue between Sixth Street and 14th Street. But free turkeys will be awarded to the best-dressed, and shoppers can text in to win gift certificates and prizes from downtown merchants. Free coffee will be available at Jon & Patty’s (637 Asbury Avenue) and Ocean City Coffee Company (917 Asbury Avenue). Downtown Asbury Avenue will be decorated for the season.
Free horse-and-carriage rides will be available starting on the weekend of Nov. 19 and 20. Ride the downtown the old-fashioned way noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Board at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.
Tickets for the annual Ocean City Pops holiday show are on sale now. The show is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 26 at the Ocean City Music Pier. Enjoy your favorite holiday songs with the Pops. Led by conductor Vince Lee, the Pops will perform your 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.
Free Horse and Carriage Rides (weekends Nov. 19-20 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.
Community Thanksgiving Service (Nov. 21): Join the entire community and members of the clergy from many different Ocean City churches in giving thanks. This year’s Community Thanksgiving Service will be 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Avenue. All invited to attend. Dessert fellowship after the service. Sponsored by the Ocean City Ministerium and the Ocean City Ecumenical Council.
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.
Christmas in the Downtown – “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue” (Nov. 25): 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Join Ocean City’s downtown merchants and the Chamber of Commerce in kicking off an old-fashioned Downtown Christmas. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.
Visits With Santa (weekends Nov. 26-27 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 Nov. 26-27 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.
Ocean City Pops Holiday Show (Nov. 26): The annual Ocean City Pops holiday show is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 26 at the Ocean City Music Pier. Enjoy your favorite holiday songs with the Pops. Led by conductor Vince Lee, the Pops will perform your classic favorites and modern holiday hits featuring soloist Angel Gomez. More information and online ticket sales are available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.
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 https://www.ocnj.us/ChristmasParade.
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 https://www.firstnightocnj.com/.
First Day Celebration (Jan. 1, 2023): Activities include a 1 p.m. 5K run on the Boardwalk (pre-register at www.ocnj.us/race-events), a 2 p.m. First Dip polar plunge, and an all-day Shopping Extravaganza. Visit https://www.firstnightocnj.com/ for more information.
