Ocean City greeted the new year in style with spectacular First Night and First Day celebrations, and the city is planning another full calendar of special events for 2024.
It’s not too early to start planning for family fun in the new year, and attached is our tentative schedule for the year, including all of the biggest annual events.
The city’s Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony will kick things off and bring the community together to honor Dr. King’s legacy on Monday, Jan. 15. The event will start at noon at the Ocean City Music Pier.
A new Presidents Day Weekend event will bring families and local businesses together in the heart of winter. The 2024 Winter Warrior Festival on Feb. 17 will be run out of the Ocean City Civic Center and include four components: an obstacle course race for children, a “Winter Warrior” obstacle course race for parents and individuals, team challenges such a fire-truck pull, and an indoor festival for participants and spectators. Look for more details in the coming weeks.
Market Madness on March 9 and 10 will bring together all of Ocean City’s favorite stores under one roof at the Ocean City Music Pier for two days of pre-season shopping specials.
The spring season opens with Easter events this year. The Great Egg Hunts on March 23 and March 30 will invite children to stop by participating boardwalk stores in their search for eggs and treats. The Easter Dueling Pianos Show will be on Sunday, March 31.
The spring calendar continues with Girls Weekend from April 5 to April 7, and the OC Con Comic Book and Memorabilia Show on April 6 and April 7. The madcap Doo Dah Parade falls on April 13 this year and will feature the usual brigade of basset hounds. The Sports Memorabilia Show will be April 20 at the Music Pier.
Martin Z. Mollusk seeks his shadow on May 3, and we’re betting that he’ll bring us another early summer. The Spring Block Party returns on May 4. The Fall Block Party is on for Oct. 12 with fireworks scheduled for 9 p.m. that evening.
All of the favorite weekly summer events will be back – like the Farmers Market, Wacky Wednesdays, Funtastic Tuesdays and Market Days in the downtown, and Mummers Night and Family Nights up on the boardwalk.
Night in Venice – Ocean City’s premier summer event – is set for Saturday, July 20. Look for announcements soon on this year’s theme. Fireworks will light up the back bay after the completion of the parade.
The Baby Parade will return for the 114th time on Thursday, Aug. 8.
Fall events include the Ocean City Airport Festival and Parachute Pyrotechnic Show on Sept. 14 with the Boardwalk Aerobatic Air Show on Sept. 15. If part of your New Year’s resolution is to get back in running shape, the OCNJ Half Marathon on Sept. 22 is a great race and a great goal. Dog Days on the Ocean City Boardwalk will be Oct. 26 and 27 this year.
The 2024 holiday season will kick off with Earlier Than the Bird on Nov. 23 and continue with Christmas in the Downtown – Our Miracle on Asbury Avenueon Nov. 29, the Christmas Parade on Dec. 6, and First Night on Dec. 31.
Be sure to check the attached calendar for more events and more detail, and check back throughout the year for additions and updates.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. EVENTS SET FOR JAN. 15
Ocean City will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. The ceremony will start at 12 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. The event brings the community together to remember Dr. King through words, song and dance.
One of the highlights is always the recitation of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The event will be followed by a complimentary soul food buffet luncheon in the Music Pier solarium.
Two citizens, Jane French and William McMahon III, will be honored with Martin Luther King Community Services Awards. Each year, the awards recognize volunteer activity and service to the Ocean City community. Students from grades 7 and 8 at the Ocean City Intermediate School will be honored for their winning essays on the influence of Dr. King.
Free parking will be available in the municipal lots on Moorlyn Terrace, Eighth Street and Ninth Street.
Volunteers are invited to join others nationwide in a Day of Service on Jan. 15 to honor Dr. King’s contributions. Citizens are asked to participate in a citywide cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon. Sign-up and supply distribution will take place at the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center, located in the Community Center, 18th Street and Simpson Avenue. To pre-register, please call 609-399-6111, ext. 9711.
