The Fall Block Party — one of Ocean City’s premier events – will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11 along a mile of downtown Asbury Avenue, and this year a new drone show over the beach and Boardwalk will cap off a day of family fun at 8 p.m. that evening.
More than 400 crafters, food vendors and entertainers will line Asbury Avenue between Fifth Street and 14th Street for the annual celebration. The event helps draw tens of thousands of people to Ocean City to take advantage of the beautiful fall weather.
Entertainers and bands will perform at various spots along the Avenue between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. A few of the perennial favorites include the Robert Boney Band (7th Street), Big Daddy (at 9thStreet), String Band (13th Street) and Keith Hickman (at 14th Street). Pony rides for children will be available on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle (at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors including Asbury Avenue restaurants will offer food of every variety.
Parking will be free at all municipal lots and metered spaces in the city.
Everybody in town for the Block Party is invited to come down to the beach or Boardwalk at 8 p.m. Saturday for the drone show. Watch as hundreds of drones in the sky create dazzling images synchronized to music over the beach and Boardwalk. Best viewing will be south of Sixth Street.
The weekend celebration also includes table sales by downtown and boardwalk merchants with discounted merchandise set up between Sixth Street and 14th Street on the boardwalk and Asbury Avenue throughout the weekend.
The weekend slate of special events continues on Sunday, Oct. 12. Join more than 5,000 walkers for the 18th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of OCNJ — a celebration of courage and hope to end breast cancer as we know it, for everyone. The event starts at 8:30 a.m. with the walk going off at 10 a.m. Participants can get more information and register online at makingstrideswalk.org/OceanCityNJ.
The Spooks N’ Kooks Costume Surf Contest on Sunday will be open to groms, adults and tandems with sign-in at 10 a.m. on Seventh Street Beach. Entry fee is a $20 gift card to ShopRite or ACME with all proceeds benefiting the Ocean City Food Cupboard. The no-wave date is Monday, Oct. 13.
OCTC celebrates Johnny Cash with ‘Ring of Fire’
A multi-talented cast will perform the music of Johnny Cash in the Ocean City Theatre Company production “Ring of Fire” at 7 p.m. Oct. 10 and 11, and 2 p.m. Oct.12 at the Ocean City Music Pier.
The theatrical concert features more than 20 songs by the legendary artist. “Ring of Fire” takes you on a journey through Cash’s struggles and successes, exploring themes of love and redemption. With a talented ensemble of five singers and musicians, the production connects Cash’s unique biography to universal experiences through classic hits like “I Walk the Line,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Country Boy” and “A Boy Named Sue.”
The show is not about impersonating Johnny Cash; rather, it celebrates his life through the incredible musicianship of the performers, providing a lively and engaging musical experience.
Tickets are $20 and available at www.oceancitytheatrecompany.com and at the door before the shows.
Fire department invites all to open house on Thursday
The Ocean City Fire Department and IAFF Local 4032 will hold their annual Open House at the station at 550 Asbury Avenue from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
This year’s campaign, coinciding with National Fire Prevention Week, is themed “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home” and will educate everyone about using these batteries safely. The campaign stresses how important it is to buy, charge, and recycle safely when it comes to lithium-ion batteries. Local 4032 members will be having a helicopter landing from JeffSTAT, a presentation on electrical safety from Atlantic City Electric, as well as showcasing their fire suppression capabilities with a live-burn demonstration.
‘Faith and Blue’ food drive on Sunday
The Ocean City Police Department and the Ocean City Ecumenical Council are seeking donations of food and supplies on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025 as part of a nationwide program called “Faith and Blue Weekend.”
Faith and Blue is an organization whose goal is to connect law enforcement agencies and our local faith-based communities. Faith and Blue Weekend is being celebrated nationwide from Oct. 10 to 13. This is the fourth year that Ocean City is participating in the event. All participating departments across the country are doing different events unique to their community.
The OCPD is working with the Ocean City Ecumenical Council, which runs food and clothing cupboards that are shared and accessible by all churches in Ocean City. The Food Cupboard provides food/supplies to people throughout our community. The event is aimed at helping stock the food cupboard for the upcoming holiday season.
Everybody is encouraged to make donations 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at either Ocean City ACME Supermarket location (800 West Avenue or 3428 Simpson Ave). Ocean City will park a police pickup truck in front of each ACME, and accept donations of non-perishable goods. At the end of the day, the OCPD will deliver all donations to the Ecumenical Food Cupboard at 8th Street and Central Avenue.
Also coming up in October
Porsche Boardwalk Reunion (Oct. 18): Porsches will be displayed from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Boardwalk from 6th Street to 14th Street.
“Hadestown” (Oct. 18-19): Presented by the OCTC Junior Company, this intriguing and beautiful folk opera delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience. Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. at the Music Pier. Tickets available at www.oceancitytheatrecompany.com.
John R. Elliott HERO Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run (Oct. 19): Register today at www.herowalkrun.org.
Dog Days (Oct. 25-26): Leashed dogs will be permitted on the boardwalk from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. All are welcome and encouraged to bring their favorite furry canine friend. Activities for Saturday include dog-specific vendors along the boardwalk, photo-op stations on the boardwalk, and the Humane Society of Ocean City’s “Pet of the Year” announcement.
HSOC “Howl-O-Ween” Parade (Oct. 25): Hosted by the Humane Society of Ocean City. Contestants are encouraged to dress themselves and their pooch in zany, fun Halloween costumes in the spirit of the season. Registration begins at 2 p.m. at the Sports & Civic Center. The parade begins at 3 p.m. and the procession is from 6th to 14th Street on the Boardwalk. This year’s grand marshals include former Philadelphia Phillie Milt Thompson and FOX 29 news anchor Dawn Timmeney.
Halloween Costume Skate (Oct. 25): The Ocean City Skate Park at Fifth Street and Asbury Avenue will celebrate Halloween 4 p.m. to dusk. Skateboarders are invited to come dressed for the holiday. There will be prizes for best costume and best trick, and candy for the participants.
OC Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Welcome Night (Oct. 29): 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Sports & Civic Center. Meet OC groups, businesses and organizations. Free event.
Halloween Parade (Oct. 30): 7:15 p.m. on Asbury Ave. from 6th – 11th Street. Sponsored by the Ocean City Exchange Club. For more information, visit ochp.blogspot.com.
