With two weeks until Memorial Day, Ocean City is getting ready for another summer season.
The official “Unlocking of the Ocean” will take place at noon on Friday, May 22, on the beach at Ninth Street. That opens the gates for the Business Persons Plunge, which immediately follows. Everybody is invited to participate, and more information is available at ocnj.us/bizplunge.
It’s not too late to take advantage of the preseason discount on beach tags. The $5 savings on seasonal tags remains in effect through May 31, and more information on how to purchase tags is available at ocnj.us/beachtags.
Registration for summer recreation programs in Ocean City remains open and more information is available at ocnj.us/summer-recreation-programs.
Tickets are on sale now for a spectacular 2026 Ocean City Pops season that includes a wide variety of shows for every musical taste. The full schedule and ticket information is at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.
More information and ticket sales for the 2026 Summer Concert Series at the Music Pier are available at ocnj.us/SummerConcertSeries. The a cappella group Straight No Chaser will open the series on June 29, and shows ranging from Bruce Hornsby to 10,000 Maniacs continue on Monday or Tuesday nights through July and August.
A printable version of the full calendar of summer events is available here and the most updated online calendar is always available at oceancityvacation.com.
May events in Ocean City
MAY 16 — Walk SONJ: The fourth annual Walk SONJ (Special Olympics New Jersey) will take place on Saturday, May 16, 2026. It begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Ocean City Music Pier. Funds raised will support athletes to provide sports training and competition in a variety of individual and team sports, health screenings and leadership opportunities, all completely free of charge. For more information, visit https://support.sonj.org/event/2026-walk-sonj-atlantic-cape-may-and-cumberland-county/e730068.
MAY 16 — American Heart Association Walk: The American Heart Association will host their Annual Spring Heart Walk on Saturday, May 16. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. at the Civic Center and the walk starts at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit https://amifoundation.net/2026-american-heart-association-walk.
MAY 17 — Chica De Mayo: Join the fun for an all-girls Chica De Mayo skate park party at the Ocean City Skate Park. Fun starts at 10 a.m. at the Skate Park, free to attend. For more details call 609-525-9304.
MAY 17 — 2026 Walk to End Lupus Now: This South Jersey fundraiser turns 18 this year. Registration opens at 9 a.m. at the Civic Center and the walk starts at 10:30 a.m.For more information, visit https://support.lupus.org/site/TR?fr_id=2243&pg=entry.
MAY 22 — Unlocking of the Ocean and Business Persons Plunge: Participants dress in business suits, carry brief cases and march into the ocean to the strains of Pomp and Circumstance to welcome the new season. Noon, 9th St. Beach.
MAY 23 — Memorial Beach Challenge for 31 Heroes: The main obstacle course challenge is a soft sand adventure race followed by our kid’s fun run. Staging at 9th St. beach. For registration information, visit memorialbeachchallenge.com or call 856-905-0583.
MAY 25 — Memorial Day Service: 11 a.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Park, between 5th Street and 6th Street on Wesley Avenue.
MAY 25 — National Moment of Remembrance: established by Congress asks Americans, wherever they are at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, to pause in an act of national unity for a duration of one minute. The moment of remembrance will take place on the Boardwalk.
