The early forecast calls for 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. 22 — 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 Ave.) and Ocean City Coffee Company (917 Asbury Ave.). 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 through Downtown the old-fashioned way with boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.
Downtown will be celebrating the holidays throughout the rest of the year. The fun will continue on Nov. 28 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. A holiday drone show will then light the skies over Asbury Avenue to cap off the holiday event.
The family fun will continue on Dec. 5 with the annual Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. on Asbury Avenue from 6th Street to 11th Street
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, visit ocnj.us/HolidayHouse.
Registration is also open for the annual Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. Anybody who would like to enter a walking unit, float, musical act, car or dance/cheer team, can register by Nov. 28 at ocnj.us/christmas-parade.
Coming up in November and December
NOV. 22, 28, 29, 30 and DEC. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 — Free Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides: These will start for the season from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, with boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue. They will continue during the same hours on Nov. 28, 29 and 30, then on weekends in December.
NOV. 25 — Community Thanksgiving Service: St. Frances Cabrini Church will host the annual Ocean City Ecumenical Council Community Thanksgiving Service at 12 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. The service — sponsored by the Ocean City Ministerium and the Ecumenical Council — will include Thanksgiving hymns of praise and gratitude, Thanksgiving reflections and the Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamation. Members of the clergy from many Ocean City churches will participate. All are invited to attend. A dessert fellowship will follow the service. The offering received will support the Ecumenical Council Food Cupboard and Clothes Closet. St Frances Cabrini is located at 114 Atlantic Avenue in Ocean City.
NOV. 27 — Fast & Furriest 5K Turkey Trot: The Ocean City Humane Society’s annual event is set for Thanksgiving morning on the Ocean City Boardwalk. For more information and registration details, call 609-398-9500 ext. 4 or visit hsocnj.org.
NOV. 28 — Christmas in the Downtown – “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue”: One of the highlights of the season, this annual event will give everyone a chance to celebrate “Black Friday” Ocean City-style from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 28. Join the local merchants and the Chamber in kicking off an old-fashioned Downtown Christmas, culminating at 5 p.m. with the arrival of Santa Claus and the tree-lighting. This year’s celebration will conclude with a holiday-themed drone light show in the sky over Asbury Avenue, starting at approximately 5:15 p.m.
NOV. 29 — Ocean City Pops Holiday Show: This concert at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, will feature classic Christmas song favorites and modern hits, led by conductor Vince Lee, and showcasing the Ocean City Pops Festival Chorus. The show is at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets are available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, by visiting any Welcome Center or by calling 609-399-6111.
NOV. 29, 30 and DEC. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 — Santa Claus: St. Nick will visit with children and be available for photos on weekends starting Nov. 29 and 30. 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. 5 — Christmas Parade: 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 along Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 11th Street. Registration information for participants is available at ocnj.us/christmas-parade.
DEC. 5-6 — Winter Book Sale: The Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library announce they 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. Please bring a tote bag for your purchases.
DEC. 6-7 — Train Show: Model trains will be on display at the Ocean City Music Pier during this free show 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 and 7.
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 entertain programs at 20 different venues throughout town on Dec. 31. One $20 button is good for all programs. Don’t wait, because button sales are limited as the price goes up to $25 on Dec. 1. 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.
