Ocean City Happenings: “Earlier Than the Bird” Celebration Set for Saturday

Shoppers dressed in their pajamas will kick off the holiday season along downtown Asbury Avenue this Saturday for the annual “Earlier Than the Bird” celebration.

The downtown shopping extravaganza takes place 8 a.m. to noon on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. It is tradition for shoppers to wear their PJs to add to the fun atmosphere.

Anyone, pajama-clad or not, can take advantage of early-bird shopping specials at stores on Asbury Avenue between Sixth Street and 14th Street.

Free turkeys will be awarded to the best-dressed shoppers. In addition, 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.

Free horse-and-carriage rides will be available later that day from noon to 3 p.m. It’s a chance to ride in the downtown the old-fashioned way. Boarding will be at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.

The downtown will be also celebrating “Festive Fridays” again this year. The fun will start on Nov. 29 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.

Festive Fridays will continue on Dec. 6 with the annual Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. on Asbury Avenue from 6th Street to 11th Street. Festive Fridays will then continue on Dec. 13 and 20 with shopping, carolers and free horse-and-carriage rides from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

    Old-fashioned carriage rides will add to the festive spirit of the holiday season.
  

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR HOLIDAY HOUSE DECORATING CONTEST AND CHRISTMAS PARADE:

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. 6. Anybody who would like to enter a walking unit, float, musical act, car or dance/cheer team, can register by Nov. 29 at ocnj.us/christmas-parade.

COMING UP IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER:

Horse and Carriage Rides (Nov. 23, 29, 30 and Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22): Free rides along decorated downtown Asbury Avenue from noon to 3 p.m., with boarding at Sixth Street.

Lucinda Williams and Her Band (Nov. 23): The concert begins at 8 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets are available at etix.com.

Fast & Furriest 5K Turkey Trot (Nov. 28): Annual 5K running race on the Ocean City Boardwalk benefits the Humane Society of Ocean City. For more information call 609-398-9500 ext. 4 or visit hsocnj.org.

Christmas in the Downtown – “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue” (Nov. 29): 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Join the merchants and Chamber of Commerce in kicking off an old-fashioned Downtown Christmas and tree-lighting. The Ocean City Fire Department will be ready in case Santa makes his usual landing on the roof of City Hall at 5 p.m.

    Santa Claus appears on the roof of City Hall to entertain the crowds at the downtown Christmas celebration. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)
  

Photos with Santa in a Lifeguard Boat (Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22): 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier.

Santa in the Downtown (Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22): 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Mark Soifer Park (9th Street and Asbury Avenue).

Ocean City Pops Holiday Show (Nov. 30): The annual holiday show at the Ocean City Music Pier will feature the Ocean City Pops orchestra performing classic Christmas song favorites and modern hits, led by conductor Vince Lee. The show starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.

Christmas Parade (Dec. 6): 6 p.m. on Asbury Avenue from 6th Street to 11th Street.

Train Show (Dec. 7 and 8): 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Ocean City Music Pier. Admission is free.

Festive Fridays Along Downtown Asbury Avenue (Dec. 13 and 20): Join downtown Ocean City merchants as they celebrate the holiday season with shopping specials. Enjoy horse-and-carriage rides from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. through the downtown adorned with thousands of Christmas lights and shop for some for the best gifts this holiday season. Two pickup locations include the Tabernacle (Sixth and Asbury) and OceanFirst Bank (10th and Asbury).

Anastasia: The Musical (Youth Edition) (Dec. 14 and 15): Presented by the Ocean City Theatre Company’s Junior Company, the musical is a 60-minute adaptation of the Broadway hit specially tailored for young actors. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets can be purchased at www.oceancitytheatrecompany.com.

First Night New Year’s Eve Celebration (Dec. 31): A complete schedule of entertainment and tickets for this family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration are available at www.FirstNightOCNJ.com.

First Day (Jan. 1, 2025): Celebrate New Year’s Day with a Shopping Extravaganza on downtown Asbury Avenue, a 5K run on the Boardwalk (1 p.m.) and the annual First Dip in the Atlantic Ocean (2 p.m.).

    Revelers enjoy a chilly dip on New Year's Day.