Events and Happenings

Multi-day Events

Holiday Light Show at Smithville

Daily, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

615 E. Moss Mill Road

Enjoy a special light show overlooking Lake Meone every 30 minutes. Stroll through the over 150 shops that make up Historic Smithville. More information available at www.historicsmithville.com. Now through Jan. 6.

Vinter Wonderland at Renault Winery

Daily starting at noon

72 N. Bremen Ave., Egg Harbor City

Step into the heart of the season as Renault Winery is transformed into a festive winter oasis filled with joyful activities. Enjoy gliding on the ice rink, explore the cozy marketplace, or gather around the firepits. Learn more and purchase skate tickets at www.renaultwinery.com. Open Friday, Dec. 27 and Saturday, Dec. 28 from noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 29 and Monday, Dec. 30 from noon to 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 31 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Wednesday, Jan. 1 from noon to 6 p.m.

Fantasy with Lights at Storybook Land

Now-Dec. 30, 4-8 p.m.

6415 E. Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township

See over 1 million lights at Storybook Land. The park will be open through Monday, Dec. 30. Tickets will not be sold at the gate. Purchase online at www.storybookland.com.

 

Friday, December 27

Family Movie at the Library

2 p.m.

Longport Library, 2305 Atlantic Ave.

Gather your friends and family and join Longport Library for an afternoon movie, “Transformers One,” the animated untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron. Call 609-487-7403 to register or learn more.

 

Saturday, December 28

Pancake Breakfast

8 a.m.

Ocean City Masonic Lodge, 940 Wesley Ave.

Breakfast includes specialty pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, coffee and juice. Cost is $12 for adults, $6 children and $10 veterans. Walk-ins are welcome. First come first served.

Chess Club

Noon-4 p.m.

Ventnor Library, 6500 Atlantic Ave.

If you love chess, or have always wanted to learn, this event is for you. The chess club is open for all ages and levels of experience. Bring your own chess board or borrow one from the library. Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult.

 

Monday, December 30

Preschool Storytime

10:30 a.m.

Egg Harbor City Library, 124 Philadelphia Ave.

Children and their caregivers will enjoy stories, songs, crafts, games and movement while building language and literacy skills. Open to ages 2-4. Registration required by calling the library at 609-804-1063.

Mahjong Madness Mondays

12:30-2:30 p.m.

Ventnor Library, 6500 Atlantic Ave.

Enjoy a friendly game of mahjong at the library. Instructions and guidance will be given for beginners to learn this fun table game. This program is for ages 18 and up. Registration required by calling 609-823-4614.

 

Tuesday, December 31

Rollin’ New Year’s Eve Celebration

1-4 p.m.

Young’s Skating Center, 763 Park Road, Mays Landing

Celebrate this New Year’s Eve Day with Young’s Skating Center. Roll out of 2024 during this special event and enjoy a New Year’s Eve Countdown at 3 p.m. Party favors included. Entrance fee is $10.75 per person.

First Night OCNJ

4 p.m.-midnight

Ocean City

Ocean City’s First Night New Year’s Eve Celebration will consist of a complete evening of entertainment and activities spanning the city, from the Music Pier to the High School, and the Tabernacle to the Community Center, leading up to fireworks at midnight launched from Sixth St. and the Beach. Highlights will include music by the Yacht Rock Gold Experience, ice skating, performance by the Ocean City Theatre Company, Atlantic City Ballet, the OC Pops, Japanese Drummers, Harlem Wizards basketball and drone shows at Carey Stadium at 7:45 and 9:45 p.m. Purchase your button and learn more at www.FirstNightOCNJ.com.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Sea Isle

8 p.m.

JFK Blvd. Beach

Join Sea Isle City in welcoming the new year with a dazzling fireworks display over the beach at 8 p.m.

 

Wednesday, January 1

First Day Shopping Extravaganza

9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Downtown Asbury Ave.

Welcome the new year by shopping for tremendous bargains in Downtown Ocean City. For more information, visit www.oceancityvacation.com.

Atlantic City Polar Bear Plunge

Noon

The Beach at LandShark, 1133 Boardwalk

Plunge for a purpose and join Cancer Support Community New Jersey at Gilda’s Club for their 33rd Annual Polar Bear Plunge. Registration opens at 10 a.m. The plunge will begin at noon with proceeds benefiting cancer patients and their families throughout the region.

Brigantine Polar Bear Plunge

Noon

16th and 17th Street Beach

Join the Brigantine Polar Bears for their silver anniversary. The annual New Year’s Day tradition will begin with an official ceremony, veterans salute and costume contest, held by the beach at 11 a.m. The plunge will take place at noon.

Margate Polar Bear Plunge

Noon

Beach at Essex Ave.

Hosted by Robert’s Place. The festivities will be held on the north side of Margate Fishing Pier at noon. Pre and post plunge festivities and t-shirts for purchase at Robert’s Place.

Ventnor Polar Plunge and Winter Festival

1 p.m.

Newport Avenue Beach

Join the Ventnor Business Association and City of Ventnor Special Events for this annual event to welcome the new year. New for 2025 is a Family Winter Festival at St. James Memorial Hall, located at the corner of Newport and Atlantic avenues from noon to 5 p.m. The event will include food trucks, a hot chocolate/coffee cart, inflatable sports games and music by DJ Scot Rainear. There will also be a chili cookoff between Ventnor City Police and Fire departments, with proceeds benefiting each department’s benevolent association.

First Day 5k Boardwalk Run

1 p.m.

Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardwalk

Pre-register online at www.ocnj.us/race-events or on race day from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Music Pier.

First Day at the Beach Polar Plunge in Ocean City

2 p.m.

Ocean City Music Pier, at Eighth St. Beach

Join Ocean City for the first dip in the ocean for the new year. The event will take place on the north side of the Music Pier at Eighth St. For more information, visit www.oceancityvacation.com.

 

Thursday, January 2

Craft-tastic Kids Club: Snowman Mason Jar

5:30 p.m.

Absecon Library, 305 New Jersey Ave.

Brighten up your January with this adorable DIY mason jar snowman decoration. This program is open to ages 5-12. Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is open through Monday by calling the library at 609-646-2228.

Around the World Book Club

6-7:30 p.m.

Galloway Library, 306 E. Jimmie Leeds Road

Galloway Library takes you on a trip around the world through the power of written words. This week, enjoy a land of captivating history, diverse culture and incredible natural beauty of Vietnam. This program is for adults 18 and up. Sign up by calling 609-652-2352.

 

Tuesday, January 7

Thoughts from the Bookshelf

3 p.m.

Margate Library, 8100 Atlantic Ave.

Join facilitator Pat Goldstein and JFS Village Community Specialist Tina Serota for a book club gathering. This January, the group will discuss the best-selling novel, “Necessary Trouble: Growing Up at Mid-Century” by Drew Gilpin Faust. Attend in-person at the Margate Library Meeting Room. RSVP by Jan. 3 by calling 609-287-8872 or email tserota@jfsatlantic.org.

 

Health and Wellness

Living in the Moment Group

Fridays, 10:30 a.m.

Mental Health Association of Atlantic County, 4 E. Jimmie Leeds Road Suite 8, Galloway

Slow down and spend an hour with like-minded people working on developing gratitude, self-love and other character traits that encourage mindfulness. Weekly meetings include meaningful discussions, camaraderie and a group activity. For more information, call 609-652-3800, ext. 0306.

MHA Atlantic Family Meetings

Thursday, Jan. 9, 10 a.m.

These virtual support groups and educational programs are for individuals with a loved one affected by mental health and/or substance use disorders. Day and evening meetings include an educational segment as well as support in the form of stress-reduction, self-care, resources and advocacy. Meetings are held at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Thursday, and 7 p.m. every third Wednesday. Contact Gail Christian at 609-652-3800, ext. 0301 or gchristian@mhanj.org to receive a meeting link.

NAMI Family Support and Connection Meeting

Monday, Jan. 13, 7-8:30 p.m.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 606 Shore Road, Somers Point

Open to family members, caregivers and loved ones 18+. Participants gain the support of peers who understand their experiences and gain insight into others’ challenges and successes. Visit www.namiacm.org or call 609-741-5125 for more information.

Dementia Support Group

Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1:30 p.m.

6009 Paul and Thelma Lane, Mays Landing

Held on the first and third Wednesday of every month from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Call Diane Conover at 609-402-6966 for more information.

Do you have an upcoming event? Let us know about it! Submit your next event to shorelocalevents@gmail.com.