'Earlier Than The Bird' Shopping Event This Weekend In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The holiday season kicks off this weekend in Ocean City with the return of the popular "Earlier Than the Bird" celebration.

Put your pajamas on and head downtown Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for early-bird shopping specials at stores on Asbury Avenue between Sixth Street and 14th Street.

Free turkeys will be awarded to the best-dressed, and shoppers can text in to win gift certificates and prizes from downtown merchants. Free coffee will be available at Jon & Patty’s (637 Asbury Ave.) and Ocean City Coffee Company (917 Asbury Ave.). Downtown Asbury Avenue will be decorated for the season.

Additionally, free horse and carriage rides will be available from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. that day. Ride downtown with boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.

Holiday fun continues on Nov. 28 with Ocean City’s traditional Christmas in the Downtown – “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue.” This Black Friday event includes shopping, horse-and-carriage rides, street entertainment and carolers.

The event will culminate around 5 p.m. when Santa Claus will emerge on the rooftop of City Hall. With the help of an Ocean City Fire Department ladder truck, Santa will descend and help light the Christmas Tree and illuminate City Hall.

A holiday drone show will then light the skies over Asbury Avenue to cap off the holiday event.

The family fun will continue on Dec. 5 with the annual Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. on Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 11th Street.

Registration is now open for the annual Ocean City Holiday House Decorating Contest. The contest awards prizes based on creativity, special effects, lighting, theme and overall appearance. A list of all contest participants will be posted, so everybody can enjoy the holiday displays. For more information and to register, visit ocnj.us/HolidayHouse.

Registration is also open for the annual Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. Anybody who would like to enter a walking unit, float, musical act, car or dance/cheer team, can register by Nov. 28 at ocnj.us/christmas-parade.

Free horse-drawn carriage rides are available Nov. 22, 28, 29, 30 and Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21.

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 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.