Families and their “best friends” will enjoy the return of Dog Days on the Boardwalk for the sixth year on Saturday and Sunday. The popular event will permit leashed dogs to walk the boards 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 24, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 25. The weekend will be highlighted by the costumed Howl-O-Ween Parade at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24.
On Saturday, activities will include dog-specific vendors along the Boardwalk, photo-op stations, and the Humane Society’s announcement of Ocean City’s “Pet of the Year.” The event will allow owners to shop for dog treats, dog collars, shoot photos with Santa and more. People are encouraged to dress themselves and their dogs in Halloween costumes for the Howl-O-Ween Parade at 3 p.m.
Registration for the Howl-O-Ween Parade is now open and all proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of Ocean City.
The timeline for the Oct 24 events includes:
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Dogs permitted on the Boardwalk
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Free photos with Santa in a lifeguard boat under the Ocean City Music Pier loggia
- 12 p.m.: Pet of the Year announcement at the Ocean City Music Pier (Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk)
- 1 p.m.: Day-of parade registration and pre-registration packet pickup starts at the Ocean City Sports and Civic Center (Sixth Street and Boardwalk)
- 3 p.m.: Boardwalk parade starts at Sixth Street and continues to 14th Street
On Sunday, leashed dogs again will walk the Boardwalk, where they are prohibited during the rest of the year.
The event is presented by the Boardwalk Merchants Association, Manco & Manco Pizza, the Humane Society of Ocean City and the City of Ocean City. It is sponsored by Manco & Manco Pizza, Playland’s Castaway Cove, JiLLy’s OCNJ, Miles Pet Grooming, Haunted Golf, Johnson’s Popcorn, Curly’s Fries, Shriver’s, Heritage Surf and Sport, and Surf Mall.
Registration and more information are available at ocnj.us/dogday, and all proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Ocean City. Visit the same page for information on being a vendor for the event.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Oct. 24
The Alzheimer’s Association will host the 2026 South Jersey Shore Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Oct. 24 on the Ocean City Boardwalk. The event brings together community members, businesses, caregivers, and advocates to raise awareness and funds in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
The event schedule is as follows:
- 8:30 a.m.: Registration at Ocean City Civic Center (6th Street and Boardwalk with parking accessible from 5th Street)
- 10 a.m.: Promise Garden Ceremony
- 10:30 a.m.: 2.5-mile (noncompetitive) walk
Participants can form teams, walk in honor or memory of loved ones, volunteer, or support the cause through sponsorship and donations. Learn more and register at alz.org/walk.
Join the Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps on Saturday
Volunteers are sought for the Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. Register at cleanoceanaction.org and check in at the Ocean City Music Pier before the event. Bring your own bucket and gloves.
Registration open for Halloween events
Registration is now open for anybody who would like to participate in Ocean City’s annual Halloween Parade or in the Halloween House Decorating Contest.
The 78th annual Halloween Parade will start at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026 and travel a route on Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 11th Street.
All are welcome to watch or participate in this fun community event, which is organized by the Exchange Club of Ocean City in partnership with the city. For those who want to join, please note the following divisions:
- Division 1 – Children or Groups of Children up to age 12
- Division 2 – Children or Groups of Children over 12 OR Family Groups OR Adult Groups
- Division 3 – Animals & Pets in Costume
- Division 4 – Organizations Marching in Costume (Churches, Non-Profits, Etc.)
- Division 5 – Cheerleaders & Drill or Dance Teams
- Division 6 – Non-Commercial Floats
- Division 7 – Commercial Floats
To register to be in the parade, email: oceancity_halloween@yahoo.com. Include your name, email / phone number, the division you are registering for, and a brief description of your marchers, costume and/or vehicle. An email confirmation will be sent back to you with your registration number within 24 hours Monday through Friday.
Medals and trophies will be awarded to first- and second-place entrants. Judges will evaluate based on appearance, originality and artistry. All award winners will be notified by phone or email the day after the parade and names will also appear in the next issue of the Ocean City Sentinel.
For more information on the Halloween Parade, please visit Ocean City Halloween Parade (ochp.blogspot.com). For more on The Exchange Club of Ocean City, please visit www.ocxc.org.
The seventh annual Halloween House Decorating Contest in Ocean City will award prizes to homes and businesses in a variety of categories. The deadline for registration is 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21. A list of participants will be posted, so everybody can see the decorated homes.
Judging will take place the evenings of October 22 and 23 between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Winners will receive gift certificate prize packages.
For more information and to sign up, please visit ocnj.us/halloweenhouse.
Other Halloween events include the Halloween Costume Skate at the Ocean City Skate Park at Fifth Street and Asbury Avenue 4 p.m. to dusk on Saturday, Oct. 24. Skateboarders are invited to come dressed for the holiday. There will be prizes for best costume and best trick, and candy for the participants.
The Ocean City Free Public Library will host its Halloween Fest, an enchanting celebration for witches, wizards and sorcerers of all ages, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The free family event at the library (1735 Simpson Avenue) will include games, candy, stories, music, crafts, dancing, a dry-ice station and more. All ages are welcome and costumes are encouraged.
Hours for traditional trick-or-treating will be 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.
More family fun in October
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.
