The Wildwoods are gearing up for a holiday season filled with family celebrations, shopping, music, light displays and visits from Santa. The festivities begin Saturday, Nov. 14, with a new ChristmasWeen party and continue through December with events across Wildwood, North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest.
From beach bonfires and Christmas parades to holiday markets and tree lightings, the schedule offers plenty of reasons to visit the shore during the off-season.
November holiday events
Saturday, Nov. 14: ChristmasWeen
The new family-friendly event combines Halloween and Christmas at the Wildwoods Convention Center from noon to 4 p.m. Costumes are welcome, with monsters and photo opportunities throughout the event. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children 13 and younger. Details: ChristmasweenParty.com.
Saturday, Nov. 21: Holiday kickoff at MudHen
MudHen Brewing Company hosts Thanksgiving crafts, a gratitude wall, a canned-food drive, free face painting from noon to 4 p.m., dueling pianos from noon to 4 p.m. and live music by Shot of Southern from 7 to 11 p.m. Details: MudHenBrew.com.
Thursday, Nov. 26: TJ Hunt Memorial Turkey Trot
Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the Wildwood Crest Pier, 5800 Atlantic Ave., with the race starting at 9 a.m. Participants can choose a 5K run or a 1-mile walk. Registration costs $30 for adults and $10 for those younger than 18. Proceeds support scholarships and families affected by traumatic events. A post-race gathering follows at MudHen. Details: TJ Hunt Memorial Foundation.
Nov. 27-Dec. 6: Wildwoods December Restaurant Week
Participating restaurants offer prix fixe menus, with breakfast at $15, lunch at $20 and dinner at $45, plus tax and gratuity. Menus and participating locations are available at WildwoodsRestaurantWeek.com.
Friday, Nov. 27: Family Holiday Beach Bonfire
North Wildwood Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 hosts a beach bonfire at Second and Surf avenues from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Santa and other seasonal characters will be available for free photos from 5 to 7 p.m. Food and refreshments will be sold, and admission is by donation. The rain date is Nov. 28.
Nov. 27-29: Christmas in North Wildwood
Participating businesses offer holiday lights, outdoor firepits, music, hot chocolate and strolling Santa appearances. A free snowflake shuttle operates Saturday, and a scavenger hunt offers two chances to win a $500 Visa gift card. Details: NW-BOA.com.
Saturday, Nov. 28: Wildwoods Holiday Shopping Village
The seventh annual outdoor shopping event takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Byrne Plaza and throughout downtown Wildwood. Shoppers can browse gifts, crafts, jewelry, baked goods and holiday decorations from local vendors. The event also serves as a toy drop-off location for the Lynch Who Stole Christmas From the GrYnch program.
Selected dates beginning Nov. 29: Holidays at HenVille
MudHen Brewing Company, 127 W. Rio Grande Ave., hosts its shopping village from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 29 and Dec. 5-6, 13 and 19-20, with vendors, cocoa, s’mores, face painting and entertainment. Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus is scheduled for Nov. 28-29 and Dec. 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: MudHenBrew.com.
December holiday events
Tuesday, Dec. 1: Wildwood Crest tree lighting
The borough hosts a free tree lighting at Sunset Lake at 5 p.m., featuring music, refreshments and a visit from Santa. The rain date is Dec. 2.
Friday, Dec. 4: Christmas parade and Byrne Plaza tree lighting
The Greater Wildwood Jaycees Christmas Parade steps off at 6 p.m. from 16th Avenue, travels along Central and Pacific avenues and ends at Byrne Plaza. Awards and the downtown Christmas tree lighting follow at approximately 7 p.m.
Dec. 4-6: Christmas in the Plaza
Byrne Plaza hosts free carnival rides, vendors, live music and story time with Mrs. Claus. Activities run from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Saturday, Dec. 5: North Wildwood lighthouse tree lighting
The Hereford Inlet Lighthouse courtyard hosts a 5 p.m. tree lighting with the Margaret Mace School Choir, refreshments, self-guided lighthouse tours and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The lighthouse gardens will also be illuminated for the holiday season.
Saturday, Dec. 5: Holiday Spectacular Concert
The Bobby Rydell Foundation presents The Duprees and Wildwood’s Joey M, hosted by Tommy Cono, at the Wildwoods Convention Center from 7 to 9 p.m. Details: TheBobbyRydellFoundation.org.
Saturday, Dec. 5: Santa Paws
Dogs and their owners can enjoy treats, photo opportunities and a costume contest during a 1 p.m. walk through the North Wildwood Entertainment District, beginning at The Inlet and ending at Owen’s Pub.
Selected December dates: Holiday fun on the water
Sandbar Joe’s hosts free Hot Cocoa on the Sandbar Social events at the Fifth Street Boat Ramp in North Wildwood on Dec. 5, 13 and 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A decorated catamaran, Santa, cocoa, cookies and music are planned. Private Polar Express-themed brunch cruises are also offered Dec. 5, 19 and Jan. 2. Details: SandbarJoes.com.
Sunday, Dec. 6: Gingerbread House Community Contest
The Wildwood Crest Arts Council hosts a gingerbread house competition at the Arts Pavilion, 6301 Ocean Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon. Entries may be dropped off from 9:30 to 10 a.m. The event also includes children’s crafts, vendors, refreshments and Santa.
Dec. 11-12 and 18-19: Winter Wonderland at Holly Beach Park
Holiday light shows take place every half-hour from 5 to 9 p.m. at 123 E. Andrews Ave. Families can enjoy complimentary cocoa, popcorn, letters to Santa and visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Decorations remain on display into January.
Saturday, Dec. 12: Family Holiday Celebration
The Wildwoods Convention Center hosts a free celebration from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring crafts, holiday movies, entertainment, a magician, face painting and Santa photos. A tree lighting follows at 4 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 12: Pinch the GrYnch Boardwalk Run
This festive run and walk begins at 10 a.m. at the Wildwoods Convention Center. Registration is $30, or $20 with a new, unwrapped toy donation. Details: LynchToyDrive.com/pinch.
Saturday, Dec. 12: 12 Pubs of Christmas
Participating establishments throughout North Wildwood will offer holiday-themed celebrations and specials. Check NW-BOA.com for participating locations and transportation details.
Monday, Dec. 14: Holiday Lights Walk
A free, approximately 30-minute walk begins at 5:30 p.m. at Rambler Road and New Jersey Avenue in Wildwood Crest, taking participants past neighborhood light displays around Sunset Lake. Registration is encouraged by emailing lfarrall@wildwoodcrest.org. The weather date is Dec. 15.
Dec. 23-31: Holiday basketball tournaments
The Battle of the Boards showcase takes place Dec. 23, followed by the Boardwalk Basketball Classic from Dec. 26-31, featuring high school boys’ and girls’ teams from South Jersey and the Delaware Valley. Details: BBClassic.com.
Other seasonal attractions include the Elks Window Decorating Contest at the Wildwoods Convention Center from Nov. 27 through Dec. 31 and a Dec. 5 hospitality night at MudHen.
For the latest event updates and additional information, visit WildwoodHoliday.com or WildwoodsNJ.com. Dates and activities are subject to change.
Information provided by the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority.
