Ocean City’s annual Christmas Parade travels down Asbury Avenue at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. Lights, garland, wreaths and bows adorn “The Avenue” for the season, and the parade will bring a variety of bands, floats and other entries to add a little warmth to the winter.
The event gives spectators time to shop and dine on downtown Asbury Avenue before and after the 6 p.m. start time. The parade starts at Sixth Street and proceeds to 11th Street.
This year’s parade will feature entries including the Ocean City High School Marching Band, the Interboro High School Marching Band (of Prospect Park, Pa.), and the Absegami High School Marching Braves. Characters from “Frozen,” Frosty the Snowman, Buddy the Elf, Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be on floats. Cold-air balloons — including the Grinch — will be part of the fun.
Three string bands, the Hobo Band, Snoopy, Martin and Mollie Mollusk and a variety of dance teams also will participate. Float sponsors include McMahon Insurance, Pete Madden of Gold Coast Sotheby’s, OCNJ Entertainment and the Stainton’s family of stores.
As part of the annual tradition, Santa Claus provides a finale to the parade, greeting boys and girls from a horse-drawn carriage. A holiday drone show will then light the skies over Asbury Avenue to cap off the evening. This event had been scheduled for last week’s Christmas in the Downtown celebration but was postponed due to high winds. After the Christmas Parade, spectators will be able to see the display as they look to the skies toward Sixth Street.
Model trains will be on display and for sale at the annual Train Show 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 6 and 7) at the Ocean City Music Pier. Admission is free. For more information, call 609-399-6111.
The Ocean City Free Public Library and Community Center (1735 Simpson Avenue) will host their annual Holiday Festival from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. The celebration will include holiday crafts, a balloon sculptor, refreshments, a visit with Santa and live music with the Package Goods Orchestra. The Ocean City Historical Museum will be open for tours, and their winter exhibit will feature a complete train platform. The Ocean City Arts Center will hold its annual winter pottery sale and gift shop with beautiful hand-made items.
Registration open for Holiday House Decorating Contest
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. The deadline to register is at noon Dec. 11. For more information and to register, visit ocnj.us/HolidayHouse.
Also coming up in December
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. Make sure to bring a tote bag for your purchases.
Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 — Free Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides: Free rides available from noon to 3 p.m. with boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.
Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 — Santa Claus: St. Nick will visit with children and be available for photos on weekends. 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. 13-14 — Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition: The Ocean City Theatre Company will present “The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. Featuring colorful costumes, iconic songs, and a talented cast of students in grades 3 to 8, this is a performance you won’t want to miss. Tickets ($15) are available at oceancitytheatrecompany.com.
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 $25 button is good for all programs. 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.
