The early forecast calls for clear skies and mild temperatures on Saturday – ideal conditions to kick off the holiday season along downtown Asbury Avenue. In Ocean City, that means shopping in your pajamas during the annual Earlier Than the Bird celebration.
The downtown shopping extravaganza takes place 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 23 – 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 later that day from noon to 3 p.m. It’s a chance to ride the downtown the old-fashioned way with boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.
The downtown will be celebrating “Festive Fridays” again this year. The fun will start on Nov. 29 with Ocean City’s traditional Christmas in the Downtown – “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue.” This Black Friday event includes shopping, horse-and-carriage rides, street entertainment and carolers. The event will culminate around 5 p.m. when Santa Claus will emerge on the rooftop of City Hall. With the help of an Ocean City Fire Department ladder truck, Santa will descend and help light the Christmas Tree and illuminate City Hall.
Festive Fridays will continue on Dec. 6 with the annual Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. on Asbury Avenue from 6th Street to 11th Street. Festive Fridays will then continue on Dec. 13 and 20 with shopping, carolers, and free horse-and-carriage rides from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR HOLIDAY HOUSE DECORATING CONTEST AND CHRISTMAS PARADE
Registration is now open for the annual Ocean City Holiday House Decorating Contest. The contest awards prizes based on creativity, special effects, lighting, theme and overall appearance. A list of all contest participants will be posted, so everybody can enjoy the holiday displays. For more information and to register, visitocnj.us/HolidayHouse.
Registration is also open for the annual Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. Anybody who would like to enter a walking unit, float, musical act, car or dance/cheer team, can register by Nov. 29 at ocnj.us/christmas-parade.
COMING UP IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
Horse and Carriage Rides (Nov. 23, 29, 30 and Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22): Free rides along decorated downtown Asbury Avenue from noon to 3 p.m. with boarding at Sixth Street.
Lucinda Williams and Her Band (Nov. 23): The concert begins at 8 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets available at etix.com.
Fast & Furriest 5K Turkey Trot (Nov. 28): Annual 5K running race on the Ocean City Boardwalk benefits the Humane Society of Ocean City. For more information call 609-398-9500 ext. 4 or visit hsocnj.org.
Christmas in the Downtown – “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue” (Nov. 29): 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Join the merchants and Chamber in kicking off an old-fashioned Downtown Christmas and tree-lighting. The Ocean City Fire Department will be ready in case Santa makes his usual landing on the roof of City Hall at 5 p.m.
Photos with Santa in a Lifeguard Boat (Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22): 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier.
Santa in the Downtown (Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22): 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Mark Soifer Park (9th Street and Asbury Avenue).
Ocean City Pops Holiday Show (Nov. 30): The annual holiday show at the Ocean City Music Pier will feature the Ocean City Pops 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.
Christmas Parade (Dec. 6): 6 p.m. on Asbury Avenue from 6th Street to 11th Street.
Train Show (Dec. 7 and 8): 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Ocean City Music Pier. Admission free.
Festive Fridays Along Downtown Asbury Avenue (Dec. 13 and 20): Join downtown Ocean City merchants as they celebrate the holiday season with shopping specials. Enjoy horse-and-carriage rides from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. through the downtown adorned with thousands of Christmas lights and shop for some for the best gifts this holiday season. Two pickup locations include the Tabernacle (Sixth and Asbury) and OceanFirst Bank (10th and Asbury).
Anastasia: The Musical (Youth Edition) (Dec. 14 and 15): Presented by the Ocean City Theatre Company’s Junior Company, the musical is a 60-minute adaptation of the Broadway hit specially tailored for young actors. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets can be purchased atwww.oceancitytheatrecompany.com.
Jolly Trolley Lights Tour (Dec 17): Tickets are sold out for a new holiday trolley tour geared toward families with young children.
First Night New Year’s Eve Celebration (Dec. 31): A complete schedule of entertainment and tickets for this family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration are available atwww.FirstNightOCNJ.com.
First Day (Jan. 1, 2025): Celebrate New Year’s Day with a Shopping Extravaganza on downtown Asbury Avenue, a 5K run on the Boardwalk (1 p.m.) and the annual First Dip in the Atlantic Ocean (2 p.m.).
