Summer Is Around The Corner: Here's What's In Store For Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — There's less than two weeks to go until Memorial Day, and Ocean City is gearing up for the unofficial start to the summer season, according to the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce.

Summer will begin with the official "Unlocking of the Ocean" at 12 p.m. on May 23 on the beach at Ninth Street. That opens the gates for the Business Persons Plunge, which immediately follows. Everybody is invited to participate, and more information is available at ocnj.us/bizplunge.

As you prepare for sunny, summer days, beach tags are still available at their preseason discount through May 31. Learn more at ocnj.us/beachtags.

You can register for summer recreation programs via ocnj.us/summer-recreation-programs and find the full schedule and ticket information for the 2025 Ocean City Pops season at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.

The 2025 Summer Concert Series at the Music Pier kicks off with four shows by the Beach Boys on June 23 and 24. More information and ticket sales are available at ocnj.us/SummerConcertSeries.

A printable version of the full calendar of summer events is available here and the most updated online calendar is available at oceancityvacation.com.

Here's what else is ahead, according to the Chamber of Commerce:

• MAY 17 – Southern New Jersey Heart Walk: Support the American Heart Association. Festival starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Civic Center (500 Boardwalk). Program starts at 10:15 a.m., and the walk starts at 10:30 a.m. More information is available here.
• MAY 17 – Walk SONJ: The third annual Special Olympics New Jersey Walk will be held at 13 locations in the state, including the Boardwalk (starting at the Ocean City Music Pier) from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 17. More information is available at sonj.org/events/walk-sonj.
• MAY 18 – Chica de Mayo: The Ocean City Skate Park at Fifth Street and Asbury Avenue will mark the 10th anniversary of its Chica de Mayo event at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 18. The event celebrates women skaters and features music, prizes, lessons, snacks and more.
• MAY 23 – Unlocking of the Ocean and Business Persons Plunge: Participants dress in business suits, carry brief cases and march into the ocean to the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” to welcome the new season. Noon at 9th Street Beach.
• MAY 24 – Memorial Beach Challenge for 31 Heroes: The obstacle course challenge is a soft sand adventure race followed by a kids’ fun run. Staging at 9th Street Beach. For registration information, visit memorialbeachchallenge.com or call 856-905-0583.
• MAY 26 – Memorial Day Service: 11 a.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Park, between 5th Street and 6th Street on Wesley Avenue.
• MAY 27 – National Moment of Remembrance: Americans, wherever they are at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, pause in an act of national unity for a duration of one minute. The moment of remembrance will take place on the Boardwalk