The summer season is starting to come to a close, but a full slate of special events will help everyone enjoy it to the last minute.
The Miss Crustacean Pageant returns on Wednesday. In an annual tradition, Ocean City celebrates the beauty of hermit crabs with contestants vying for the coveted Cucumber Rind Cup. All families, kids, businesses and organizations are invited to enter their crustacean in the competition on Aug. 19.
The pageant begins at 6 p.m. on the beach at Sixth Street with registration for competitors opening at 5:30 p.m. The pageant features the crustaceans displayed in elaborately themed dioramas. The winner gets to travel a flowery runway to take its reign.
The pageant will be followed by the annual Hermit Crab Races with the speediest crustaceans competing for the top prize. Both events are free to watch or join. For more information, call 609-399-6111.
The 2026 Boardwalk Summer Concert Series will come to a close with two great concerts: the Temptations on Tuesday, Aug. 18, and 10,000 Maniacs on Monday, Aug. 24.
The Motown legend Temptations are known for songs such as “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” The band 10,000 Maniacs are celebrating their 45th anniversary with a nationwide tour and now feature Mary Ramsey on vocals. They will perform a mix of classic hits and new music.
Both concerts are at the Ocean City Music Pier and start at 7 p.m. Tickets for the Temptations and 10,000 Maniacs are available through etix.com.
Ocean City has a full schedule of other events lined up for the week:
Tuesday, Aug. 18
- The Temptations: See above.
- Mummers Night: String bands strut the Boardwalk between Sixth Street and 14th Street between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 19
- Beach Exercise — Pilates Yoga: Free program (no registration needed) on the beach at Sixth Street starts at 8 a.m. Bring a towel and a friend.
- Farmers Market: Local farmers sell seasonal fruits, vegetables, baked goods and specialty foods on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle (Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue) from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Crafters set up in the adjacent street.
- Wacky Wednesday: Use your creativity to design your own masterpiece out of a giant chocolate chip cookies. Starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. This is part of a series of weekly family-friendly activities throughout the summer.
- 34th Street Sandcastle Park Summer Entertainment Series: The new weekly series will continue with “Summer-ween.” Families are invited to meet the Sanderson sisters from “Hocus Pocus,” dress in costume (optional), create a craft treat bag, then participate in a small trick-or-treat in the park. The fun also will include a DJ, face-painting, a balloon artist and more. The series will conclude on August 26 with “Phillies Week,” including a visit from the Phillies Phanatic. The events run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Sandcastle Park (3400 block between West Avenue and Asbury Avenue).
- Beach Walks: Free guided beach walk explores Ocean City’s coastal environment. Meet near the beach at 6:30 p.m. at 59th Street and Central Avenue.
- Family Night on the Boardwalk: A variety of family-friendly entertainers — including magicians, musicians, characters and more — will be stationed on the Boardwalk between Sixth Street and 14th Street.
Thursday, Aug. 20
- Market Days: Ocean City’s downtown shopping district along Asbury Avenue features entertainment, face-painters, balloon-sculptors and more from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Mummers Night: String bands strut the Boardwalk between Sixth Street and 14th Street between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 21
- Ocean City Green Fair: The community event is designed to educate and encourage people of all ages to adopt a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. It takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier.
Sunday, Aug. 23
- The Three Tenors of Rock Opera with the Ocean City Pops: The Three Tenors return with a bang. Ocean City favorites Angel Gomez, Chris Lysack and Robert Stahley join forces with Maestro Vince Lee to bring their powerhouse voices to the Music Pier stage. You’ll hear some of the most beloved music of all time by Verdi, Puccini, Wagner and more. Our Three Tenors will then rock the opera house with music ranging from The Beatles to Coldplay, and an encore guaranteed to bring the house down. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind event. 7:30 p.m. at the Music Pier. Tickets are available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.
Monday, Aug. 24
- 10,000 Maniacs: See above.
- America 250 — Lights Over Ocean City Drone Show: Ocean City will celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation with its final patriotic drone show for the summer. The show will light the sky over the beach and boardwalk south of Sixth Street and feature hundreds of drones creating animations that salute America. The 15-minute show starts at 9 p.m. It is made possible through a $25,000 grant from the Cape May County Board of Commissioners, sponsorships from Boardwalk merchants and city funding.
- Family Night on the Boardwalk: A variety of family-friendly entertainers — including magicians, musicians, characters and more — will be stationed on the Boardwalk between Sixth Street and 14th Street.
