Christmas Comes To Ocean City: Check Out November Events

OCEAN CITY, NJ — November has begun, but Ocean City already has its eyes on Christmas. The island has started its holiday decorating and there's a slate of fun events in store this month.

Before the holiday celebration starts, the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, postponed from its October date, is set for 10 a.m. Nov. 9, inside the Ocean City Civic Center at Sixth Street and Boardwalk. The schedule will include music, dancing, an inspiring stage program, a powerful survivor speaker and the signature “Survivor & Thriver Celebration,” along with an informal walk on the Boardwalk. Learn more at MakingStridesWalk.org/OceanCityNJ.

Ocean City’s traditional Veterans Day program will be at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 inside the Ocean City Tabernacle.

Community Care Day, sponsored by the Cape May County Department of Health, is set for 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 13. The event offers an opportunity to check your cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure. There will be a variety of other health screenings and community organizations. For more information, click here or call (609) 463-6521.

Christmas season official kicks off Nov. 15 with the fifth annual Winterfest By The Sea Holiday Shopping Extravaganza from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ocean City Civic Center. This will include craft vendors, food vendors and a strolling Santa. The “Earlier than the Bird” Downtown Shopping Extravaganza from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Nov. 22 invites everyone to shop in their pajamas for early bird shopping specials along downtown Asbury Avenue on the weekend before Thanksgiving.

The popular and free horse-drawn carriage rides will start from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. 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.

The Ocean City Humane Society’s annual Fast & Furriest 5K Turkey Trot 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

Enjoy Christmas in the Downtown – “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue” 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. 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.

The annual Ocean City Pops Holiday Show 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.

Another popular annual event, Santa Claus 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 in a lifeguard boat from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Mark your calendars for the annual Christmas Parade on Asbury Avenue at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. Registration information for participants is available at ocnj.us/christmas-parade.