Santa makes a grand appearance on the roof of City Hall each year for the "Christmas in the Downtown" celebration. (Courtesy of Ocean City)
Ocean City’s small-town version of “Black Friday” takes place on Friday, Nov. 29.
Christmas in the Downtown – “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue” – will be celebrated from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature carolers and performers along downtown Asbury Avenue between Sixth Street and 14th 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 noon to 3 p.m. with boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.
Santa will visit with children 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Mark Soifer Park (Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue). Entertainment and Christmas carols will begin at 4 p.m. on the steps of City Hall at Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue.
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 Christmas tree and illuminate City Hall.
The shopping discounts will continue on Nov. 30 as downtown merchants celebrate Small Business Saturday.
Children can visit with Santa from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mark Soifer Park (Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue) or take a photo with Santa in a lifeguard boat from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. outside the Ocean City Music Pier.
Free horse and carriage rides will be available 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. with boarding at Sixth and Asbury.
Horse and carriage rides will add to the old-fashioned holiday atmosphere in the downtown. (Courtesy of Ocean City)Music lovers can enjoy a special holiday performance of the Ocean City Pops Orchestra on Saturday, Nov. 30. Led by conductor Vince Lee, the Pops will perform classic holiday favorites and modern hits. For tickets, visit OceanCityVacation.com/BoxOffice.
COMING UP IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER:
Horse and Carriage Rides (Nov. 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.
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.
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, 22): 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Mark Soifer Park (Ninth 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 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.
The stage of the Music Pier is the setting for several large displays of model trains for the Train Show.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-ca rriage 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 is 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.).
