Ocean City Pops Orchestra performs special holiday show on Saturday
Ocean City’s small-town version of “Black Friday” takes place on Friday, Nov. 28. Christmas in the Downtown – “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue” – will be celebrated from 12 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. 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 everyone will hope to see Santa Claus make his annual appearance on the rooftop of City Hall. An Ocean City Fire Department ladder truck will be on hand to help Santa get down, light the Christmas Tree and illuminate City Hall.
A holiday drone show will then light the skies over Asbury Avenue to cap off the holiday event. This is a new event this year, and spectators will be able to see the display as they look to the skies toward Sixth Street.
The shopping discounts will continue on Nov. 29 as downtown merchants celebrate Small Business Saturday. Children can visit with Santa from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Mark Soifer Park (9th Street and Asbury Avenue) or take a photo with Santa in a lifeguard boat from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. outside the Ocean City Music Pier. Free horse and carriage rides will be available 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. with boarding at 6th and Asbury.
The annual Ocean City Pops Holiday Show at the Ocean City Music Pier will feature the orchestra performing classic Christmas song favorites and modern hits, led by conductor Vince Lee. The show starts at 6 p.m. Tickets available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.
Coming up in November and December
NOV. 28, 29, 30 and DEC. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 — Free Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides: Boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.
NOV. 25 — Community Thanksgiving Service: St. Frances Cabrini Church will host the annual Ocean City Ecumenical Council Community Thanksgiving Service at 12 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. 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.
NOV. 27 — Fast & Furriest 5K Turkey Trot: The Ocean City Humane Society’s annual event 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.
NOV. 29, 30 and DEC. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 — Santa Claus: St. Nick will visit with children and be available for photos on weekends starting Nov. 29 and 30. 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 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
DEC. 5 — Christmas Parade: 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 along Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 11th Street. Registration information for participants is available at ocnj.us/christmas-parade.
DEC. 5-6 — Winter Book Sale: The Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library will hold their Winter Book Sale in the atrium of the library (1735 Simpson Ave.) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday (Dec. 5) and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m Saturday (Dec. 6). There will be a large collection of audio books available at this sale. Please bring a tote bag for your purchases.
DEC. 6-7 — Train Show: Model trains will be on display at the Ocean City Music Pier during this free show 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 and 7.
DEC. 14-22 — Lighting of the Hanukkah Menorah: At nightfall on each night of Hanukkah, a candle will be lit on the menorah displayed on the front lawn of City Hall (861 Asbury Ave.) to celebrate the Festival of Lights.
DEC. 31 — First Night: Celebrate the arrival of 2026 at Ocean City’s family-friendly First Night New Year’s Eve celebration. All-inclusive admission buttons will be on sale at firstnightocnj.com, by calling 609-399-6111 or at welcome centers in town. First Night offers more than 70 entertainment programs at 20 different venues throughout town on Dec. 31. One $20 button is good for all programs. Don’t wait, because button sales are limited as the price goes up to $25 on Dec. 1. Headline entertainment at the Ocean City Music Pier this year will include a tribute to the music of the Journey and “Motor City: the Motown Revue.” The return of perennial favorites like outdoor ice-skating, a magic show, a mentalist, the Harlem Wizards and a variety of other shows also highlight the entertainment lineup. Ocean City will reunite Elton John and Billy Joel at the Ocean City High School auditorium with separate tributes.
JAN. 1 — First Day: Start the new year with a 5K run on the Boardwalk (register now) and a first dip in the Atlantic Ocean.
