Jeeps will be displayed on the Boardwalk on Saturday, and runners will take over on Sunday for two traditional events: the Fall New Jersey Jeep Invasion and the OCNJ Half Marathon.
About 400 Jeeps will roll down the boardwalk on Saturday, Oct. 3 and remain on display in lines that stretch from Fifth Street to 14th Street. The Jeep Invasion runs from noon to 5 p.m. The event raises money for local charities, and trophies are awarded to the best Jeeps in various categories with trophies awarded at 4 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. The show started in Ocean City in 2013. Visit njjpinvasion.com for more information.
Registration is still open for the OCNJ Half Marathon races on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026 and different early-registration discounts are good through 4 p.m. Sept. 30.
In addition to the 13.1-mile Half Marathon, the event includes a 10-mile non-competitive walk/run and a 5-kilometer race.
Runners voted for the OCNJ Half Marathon as the Best in New Jersey in a Race Raves poll this year. The race features a fast and flat course that showcases Ocean City’s spectacular beaches, boardwalk and coastline. The OCNJ Half Marathon also has developed a reputation as a friendly race – with the public encouraged to come out to cheer for runners and volunteer groups manning themed water stations.
“The Half Marathon has become a great fall tradition in Ocean City,” Mayor Jay Gillian said. “The runners and their families get to enjoy Ocean City at its best, and the race grows bigger and better every year.”
For complete information and registration, visit www.ocnj.us/race-events.
To make way for the field of runners, the Ocean City-Longport Bridge will close from 8 a.m. to approximately 10:30 a.m. on race day. Bicycles will not be permitted on the Boardwalk from 5 a.m. to noon on race day. Drivers on other streets should anticipate delays as the field of runners passes by.
Volunteers (including Saturday packet pickup staff and Sunday race-course marshals) are welcome and needed. A volunteer registration form is available at ocnj.us/ocnjhalfmarathon5k.
As always, neighbors and spectators are encouraged to line the course (see course map) to cheer the runners on.
More family fun in October
Boardwalk & Downtown Merchant “Discount Days” (Oct. 3-4): 6th Street to 14th Street on the Boardwalk and Asbury Ave.
Ocean City Fire Department Open House (Oct. 8): OCFD hosts their annual open house for Fire Prevention Week at the OCFD headquarters at 550 Asbury Avenue, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Rain date Oct. 9.
A Grand Night for Singing (Oct. 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18): Experience the timeless music of Rodgers and Hammerstein with this musical revue celebrating favorites from “Oklahoma!,” “Carousel,” “South Pacific,” “The King and I,” “The Sound of Music” and more. Shows are 7 p.m. Oct. 9, 10, 16 and 17; and 2 p.m. Oct. 11 and 18 at the Ocean City Music Pier. Visit oceancitytheatrecompany.com for tickets and more information.
Fall Block Party (Oct. 10): Ocean City’s Fall Block Party will return from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, with hundreds of craft and food vendors, and entertainers lining Asbury Avenue from Fifth Street to 14th Street. Parking will be free at all municipal lots and metered spaces in the city.
Boardwalk & Downtown Merchant “Discount Days” (Oct. 10-12): 6th Street to 14th Street on the Boardwalk and Asbury Ave.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of OCNJ (Oct. 11): Join over 5,000 walkers for the 19th annual OCNJ Making Strides – a celebration of courage and hope to end breast cancer as we know it, for everyone. Learn more at www.MakingStridesWalk.org/OceanCityNJ. Walk starts at 10 a.m. at the Civic Center.
Spooks N’ Kooks Costume Surf Contest (Oct. 11): Open groms, open adults, tandem, sign in at 10 a.m. on 7th Street Beach. Entry Fee: $20 gift card to ShopRite, ACME or Aldi, all proceeds benefit the Ocean City Food Cupboard. No wave date: Oct. 13.
Porsche Boardwalk Reunion (Oct. 17): Porsches will be displayed from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Boardwalk from 6th Street to 14th Street.
John R. Elliott HERO Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run (Oct. 18): Register today at www.herowalkrun.org.
Dog Days (Oct. 24-25): Leashed dogs will be permitted on the boardwalk from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. All are welcome and encouraged to bring their favorite furry canine friend. Activities for Saturday include dog-specific vendors along the boardwalk, photo-op stations on the boardwalk, and the Humane Society of Ocean City’s “Pet of the Year” announcement.
HSOC “Howl-O-Ween” Parade (Oct. 24): Hosted by the Humane Society of Ocean City. Contestants are encouraged to dress themselves and their pooch in zany, fun Halloween costumes in the spirit of the season. Registration begins at 2 p.m. at the Sports & Civic Center. The parade begins at 3 p.m. and the procession is from 6th to 14th Street on the Boardwalk. Registration for vendors and parade participants is open at ocnj.us/dogday.
Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep (Oct. 24): Volunteers are sought for the Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. Register at cleanoceanaction.org and check in at the Ocean City Music Pier before the event. Bring your own bucket and gloves.
Halloween Costume Skate (Oct. 24): The Ocean City Skate Park at Fifth Street and Asbury Avenue will celebrate Halloween 4 p.m. to dusk. Skateboarders are invited to come dressed for the holiday. There will be prizes for best costume and best trick, and candy for the participants.
OC Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Welcome Night (Oct. 28): 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Sports & Civic Center. Meet OC groups, businesses & organizations. Free event.
Halloween Parade (Oct. 29): 7:15 p.m. on Asbury Ave. from 6th – 11th Street. Sponsored by the Ocean City Exchange Club. Registration for participants is open at ochp.blogspot.com.
