Downtown Christmas Celebration Set for Friday in Ocean City

dbergen

Ocean City will play host to its annual “Old Fashioned Family Christmas” celebration on Friday (Nov. 27) — an event that involved neither malls nor mobs of bargain-hunters. Ocean City's Downtown Christmas concludes with the illumination of City Hall on Friday, Nov. 27. The event takes place from 2 p.m. into the evening on Asbury Avenue between Sixth Street and 11th Street. The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Merchants Association, Ocean City Tourism Commission and the City of Ocean City sponsor the annual celebration. Entertainers on the Avenue add to the holiday shopping experience starting at 2 p.m. The Christmas tree at City Hall (Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue) will be lit at 5 p.m. Then Santa will arrive in Ocean City and descend from the roof of City Hall with the assistance of an Ocean City Fire Department ladder truck. This dramatic entrance is a tradition that began in the 1960s. The festivities include:

Show Stoppers (carolers and string band) strolling the Avenue from Sixth Street to Ninth Street from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Fox Production Singers strolling from Eighth to 11th streets from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Michael Hartman, Ocean City Theatre Co., 4 to 5 p.m. at City Hall
Keith Hickman, performing on City Hall Steps, 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m.
Dean Duncan, Stilt Walker, strolling from 6-11th St., 2-5 p.m.
Free Horse and Carriage Rides, 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. from in front of City Hall
Santa, Gazebo Park, across from City Hall, 2-3 p.m., 5:15-5:45 p.m. (bring your camera)
The Phillie Phanatic, 4-6 p.m. at City Hall.

The downtown celebration continues with Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28. Downtown and Boardwalk merchants will celebrate the season by offering day-long specials. This is a national event sponsored by American Express and promoted by the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce for the day after “Black Friday.” For information, call (609) 399-1412. Other holiday events include:

Nov. 28-29 — Breakfast With Santa: 8 a.m. till 11:30 a.m., Sat., 11/28, Jon and Patty’s Coffee Bar and Bistro, 637 Asbury Ave., Sun.11/29, Sunrise Café 1200 Asbury.
Dec. 4 — Christmas Parade: This parade brings Santa to town, horse-and-buggy style. Route is from 6^th to 11^th St. on Asbury Ave. Parade starts 6:30 p.m. Afterwards, Santa will be located at the Park across from City Hall, 9^th and Asbury Ave. He will pose for photos (bring your camera) and hand out treats. Downtown merchants, as the parade sponsors, invite bands, groups with floats, holiday-themed costumed marchers, local organizations, etc. to join the fun. This is an ideal opportunity to get exposure for your group or business before an appreciative crowd. For information, call (609) 399-6111 ext. 9283. Register at www.ocnj.us and click on events.
Dec. 5 — Christmas Trolley Tour and Sing-Along: Join the Ocean City Historical Museum for a Christmas History Trolley Tour led by John Loeper with songs led by Dr. Richard Stanislaw. There will be a stop at the historic Snodgrass home on Central Ave. The tour ends at the Museum, 17^th and Simpson Ave., where visitors will see a new exhibit, “Home for the Holidays: Christmas 1945” and be treated to holiday fare. Tickets are $20 for members, $25 for non members. Call (609)399-1801 for information.
Dec. 5-6 — Breakfast With Santa: In the Downtown, 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 12/5 Yianni’s Café, 841 Asbury Ave. 12/6 Arlene’s on Asbury, 624 Asbury Ave.
Dec. 5-6 — Jay Eggly / Ocean City Train Show: Features large Garden Railroad Display on Music Pier Stage, 30 ft. Lionel display with working accessories in Solarium of Pier and vendors exhibiting and selling trains, train parts, holiday decorations, memorabilia and more. Repairs made on site by technician Dick Yard. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sun. Admission: $3 for adults, $1 children 12 and under.
Dec. 5-6 — Free Horse and Carriage Rides: Noon to 3 p.m., in front of City Hall, 9^th and Asbury Ave. For information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.
Dec. 6 — Joy to the World: The Ocean City Pops presents an orchestral and choral celebration of the glorious sounds of Christmas. Maestro Scheible and the Pops are joined by Heraldic Trumpets, Glorious Choirs, Dazzling Bells, featuring tenor Cody Austin. Showtime: 3 p.m. at the Ocean City High School Hughes Performing Arts Center, 6^th and Atlantic Ave. Tickets $20, available at www.ocnj.us/boxoffice. For more information call (609) 399-6111.
Dec. 11-13 — Swingin’ to the Holidays: 2015 Spectacular at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. Presented by the Greater Ocean City Theater Co. An enchanting cast of professional singers and dancers will present a high energy, family-oriented, song and dance tribute to the holidays directed and choreographed by Michael Hartman. Through dazzling costumes, familiar songs and special effects, the show will kindle the holiday spirit as the magic of the season comes to life in a brand new musical journey through seasonal favorites. Tickets $18 general admission, $15 children 12 and under. Show times Dec. 11&12-7:30 p.m., Dec.13-2 p.m. Call (609) 399-6111 or visit www.ocnj.us/boxoffice.
Dec. 12-13 — Breakfast With Santa: 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Sat. 12/12, Sunrise Café, 1200 Asbury Ave., Sun., 12/13 Jon & Patty’s Coffee Bar & Bistro, 637 Asbury.
Dec. 12-13 — Free Horse & Carriage Rides: Noon to 3 p.m. in front of City Hall, 9^th and Asbury Ave. For more information call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.
Dec. 12-13 — Photos With Santa: Noon to 3 p.m. in front of the Music Pier. There will be a $10 charge per photo. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.
Dec. 13 — Angelus Chorus: The 65-voice Angelus Chorus will be featured in a program of traditional Christmas music and scriptures at the Ocean City Tabernacle, 5^th and Wesley Ave. at 3 p.m. The chorus will be directed by Richard Stanislaw and feature tenor, John Taylor and the Tapestry String Quartet. Admission is free, offering received.
Dec. 18 — Swingin’ to the Holidays: A Christmas spectacular by the Ocean City Theatre Company will be repeated at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier.
Dec. 31 — First Night New Year’s Eve Celebration: REMINDER: Get your FIRST NIGHT ADMISSION BUTTONS NOW! for Ocean City’s Gala New Year’s Eve Celebration that provides continuous family entertainment from 4 p.m. until midnight capped by a fireworks display. Buttons are now available for $15 from www.firstnightocnj.com or by calling 1-800-BEACH-NJ. Buttons are also available at the City Hall Welcome Center, 9^th and Asbury Ave. After December 15, buttons will be priced at $20.