Ocean City’s small-town version of “Black Friday” takes place on Friday, Nov. 23. The Christmas in the Downtown – “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue” – goes from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event will be a warm and entertaining time featuring carolers and performers throughout downtown Asbury Avenue between Sixth Street and 11th Street.
Downtown stores will offer discount shopping for gifts, and many Asbury Avenue restaurants will be open.
Free horse-and-carriage rides will be available. Entertainment and Christmas carols will begin at 4 p.m. on the steps of City Hall at Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue.
Singer Jackie Evancho will perform a song as a preview of her Christmas show on Saturday, Nov. 24.
The event culminates 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 City Hall Christmas Tree and illuminate City Hall.
The shopping discounts will continue on Nov. 24 as downtown merchants celebrate Small Business Saturday.
Platinum-selling, 18-year-old vocal sensation Jackie Evancho returns to the Ocean City Music Pier for a Christmas show 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24. Evancho will perform a selection of songs from her critically acclaimed “Someday at Christmas” album. Her Christmas show is filled with classic Christmas and popular holiday songs.
She will join musicians from the Ocean City Pops Orchestra to celebrate the holiday season in America’s Greatest Family Resort. Tickets are $45 and $35, and they can be purchased at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.
People can also purchase tickets at the Roy Gillian Welcome Center on the Ninth Street causeway or City Hall’s Welcome Center at 861 Asbury Avenue.
Also coming up:
Thanksgiving 5K Run (Nov. 22): The 11th annual Fast and Furriest 5K Turkey Trot goes off at 8 a.m. Thanksgiving morning on Nov. 22. The course for this 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) race is on the Ocean City Boardwalk, and proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Ocean City. For more information, call 609-398-9500 (ext. 4) or visit www.hsocnj.org/events.
Cape Shore Chorale Concert (Nov. 25): The Cape Shore Chorale, under the direction of Scott J. Breiner, will perform “Messe de Minuit pour Noel” by Marc-Antoine Charpentier and “Fantasia on Christmas Carols” by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
The concert features flutist Pamela Whitman, and a string ensemble will accompany the Chorale. The show is at 3 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church (Shore Road and Dawes Avenue in Somers Point).
Horse & Carriage Rides: Free horse-drawn carriage rides will be available noon to 3 p.m. on downtown Asbury Avenue on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 23.
Breakfast with Santa: Santa will travel to different Ocean City restaurants to visit with children 8 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 24 to Dec. 23. See www.oceancityvacation.com for the full schedule and locations.
Photos with Santa: Santa will be available for photos in an Ocean City Beach Patrol lifeguard boat noon to 3 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 23. Cost is $10 per photo.
Train Show (Dec. 1 and 2): Model trains will be on display 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Ocean City Music Pier. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children. For more information call 609-399-6111.
Trim-a-Tree with Santa (Dec. 1): The Ocean City Gardens Civic Association will welcome Santa – 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Ocean City-Longport Bridge flag area. Attendees will decorate a new Christmas tree, and Santa will be available for pictures with the little ones.
The OCGCA is inviting children of veterans and those currently serving, and the event is open to all. Refreshments will be served and Santa will have a small gift for each child. Registration is required.
To register, please send an email to LJWATTS4@aol.com and please include child’s name and age. Rain date is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 2. For more information, call 609 485-5043.
Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival (Dec. 2): The Ocean City Free Public Library and Community Center will host a free party with refreshments, crafts, games, a balloon sculptor, a holiday movie and a visit from Santa himself.
Children can visit Mrs. Claus at the Ocean City Historical Museum for a holiday craft. The Garden Club of Ocean City will light the Christmas tree it decorated.
Visitors also can browse the Ocean City Arts Center’s gift shop stocked with hand-made pottery, jewelry, paintings and more. All events are in the Community Center at 1735 Simpson Avenue.
Cape Shore Chorale Concert (Dec. 2): The Cape Shore Chorale, under the direction of Scott J. Breiner, will perform an old-fashioned Christmas show of seasonal music.
The show is at 3 p.m. at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (2998 Bay Ave. in Ocean City). The concert will include a free will offering and refreshments.
Christmas Parade (Dec. 7): Ocean City’s annual Christmas Parade starts at 6 p.m. and travels downtown Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 11th Street.
Book Sale at Ocean City Free Public Library (Dec. 7 and 8): Shop for used books, audio items and more for holiday gifts. Hours are 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday (Dec. 7) and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 8) in the atrium outside the Ocean City Free Public Library (1735 Simpson Avenue). Hosted by Friends and Volunteers of Ocean City Free Public Library. For information, visit www.friendsvolunteersocfpl.com.
Christmas Concert (Dec. 8): A traditional Christmas concert starts at 4 p.m. and features the 60-voice Angelus Chorus with tenor John Taylor and the Tapestry String Quartet, directed by Richard Stanislaw. The concert is at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church (501 East 8th Street). For more information, please call 609-399-2988.
“Annie” (Dec. 8, 9, 14 and 15): The Ocean City Theatre Company will proudly present the beloved musical in five shows on the Ocean City Music Pier.
“Annie” has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8, 2 p.m. Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14, and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15. Tickets are $18 to $20. Call 609-399-6111 or visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.
First Night (Dec. 31): All-inclusive admission buttons for Ocean City’s family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration are on sale now. For complete information, visit firstnightocnj.com.
First Day (Jan. 1, 2019): Events include the First Day Shopping Extravaganza in downtown Ocean City on Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 14th Street. Registration for a 5-kilometer boardwalk run starts at 11 a.m. at the Music Pier, and the run starts at 1 p.m. (Pre-register at runsignup.com). The traditional First Dip in the ocean starts at 2 p.m. adjacent to the Music Pier.
