Ocean City Happenings: Celebrate an old-fashioned Christmas in the downtown

Ocean City’s small-town version of “Black Friday” takes place on Friday, Nov. 28.

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.

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 everyone will hope to see Santa Claus make his annual appearance on the rooftop of City Hall. An Ocean City Fire Department ladder truck will be on hand to help Santa get down, light the Christmas tree and illuminate City Hall.

A holiday drone show will then light the skies over Asbury Avenue to cap off the holiday event. The drone show is a new event this year. Spectators will be able to see the display as they look to the skies toward Sixth Street.

    Santa waves to the crowd from the roof of City Hall while preparing to climb down the steps of an Ocean City Fire Department ladder truck.
  

The shopping discounts will continue on Nov. 29 as downtown merchants celebrate Small Business Saturday.

Children can visit with Santa from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Mark Soifer Park (9th 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 6th and Asbury.

The annual Ocean City Pops Holiday Show at the Ocean City Music Pier, starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, will feature the 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.

COMING UP IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER:

NOV. 28, 29, 30 and DEC. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 — Free Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides: Boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.

NOV. 29, 30 and DEC. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 — Santa Claus: St. Nick will visit with children and be available for photos on weekends starting Nov. 29 and 30. He will be downtown at Mark Soifer Park (Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue) from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., then outside the Music Pier from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

DEC. 5 — Christmas Parade: 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 along Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 11th Street. Registration information for participants is available at ocnj.us/christmas-parade.

    The annual Christmas Parade on Asbury Avenue on Dec. 5 is part of the holiday celebration. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)
  

DEC. 5-6 — Winter Book Sale: The Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library announce will hold their Winter Book Sale in the atrium of the library (1735 Simpson Avenue) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday (Dec. 5) and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 6). There will be a large collection of audio books available at this sale. Please bring a tote bag for your purchases.

DEC. 6-7 — Train Show: Model trains will be on display at the Ocean City Music Pier during this free show 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 and 7.

DEC. 14-22 — Lighting of the Hanukkah Menorah: At nightfall on each night of Hanukkah, a candle will be lit on the on the menorah displayed on the front lawn of City Hall (861 Asbury Avenue) to celebrate the Festival of Lights.

DEC. 31 — First Night: Celebrate the arrival of 2026 at Ocean City’s family-friendly First Night New Year’s Eve celebration. All-inclusive admission buttons will be on sale at firstnightocnj.com, by calling 609-399-6111 or at welcome centers in town.

JAN. 1 — First Day: Start the new year with a 5K run on the Boardwalk (register now) and a first dip in the Atlantic Ocean.

    Plungers charge into the ocean for the traditional chilly dip on New Year's Day.