Ocean City Happenings: October Brings a Full Slate of Special Events

The days are getting shorter with the arrival of fall, but there’s still plenty of great weather left to enjoy a full calendar of family events in October.

From the Fall Block Party all the way through to Halloween, there’s a little bit of fun for everyone.

Here are a few of the highlights:

Boardwalk & Downtown Merchant “Discount Days” (Oct. 4-5): Sixth Street to 14th Street on the Boardwalk and Asbury Avenue.

    Crowds gather outside the Ocean City Fire Department headquarters for the open house in 2024.
  

Ocean City Fire Department Open House (Oct. 9): OCFD hosts the annual open house for Fire Prevention Week at the OCFD headquarters at 550 Asbury Avenue, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Rain date is October 10.

“Ring of Fire” (Oct. 10-12): A multi-talented cast performs the music of Johnny Cash in this Ocean City Theatre Company production. Shows are 7 p.m. October 10 and 11 and 2 p.m. October 12 at the Music Pier. All tickets $20. Tickets are available at www.oceancitytheatrecompany.com.

Fall Block Party and Drone Show (Oct. 11): Ocean City’s Fall Block Party will return from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, with hundreds of craft and food vendors, and entertainers lining Asbury Avenue from Fifth Street to 14th Street.

For this year’s Block Party celebration, a new drone show will cap off a day of family fun at 8 p.m. that evening. Hundreds of drones will create dazzling images synchronized to music over the beach and Boardwalk.

The best viewing for the drone show will be south of Sixth Street. The Fall Block Party is one of Ocean City’s most popular events of the year, with the drone show giving families a chance to extend the fun. Parking will be free at all municipal lots and metered spaces in the city.

    A colorful, nighttime drone show will cap off the Fall Block Party celebration. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)
  

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of OCNJ (Oct. 12): Join over 5,000 walkers for the 18th annual OCNJ Making Strides – a celebration of courage and hope to end breast cancer as we know it, for everyone. Learn more at www.MakingStridesWalk.org/OceanCityNJ. Walk starts at 10 a.m. at the Civic Center, Sixth Street and the Boardwalk.

Spooks N’ Kooks Costume Surf Contest (Oct. 12): Open groms, open adults, tandem, sign in at 10 a.m. on the Seventh Street beach. Entry fee is a $20 gift card to ShopRite or Acme, with all proceeds benefiting the Ocean City Food Cupboard. No wave date: October 13.

Porsche Boardwalk Reunion (Oct. 18): Porsches will be displayed from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Boardwalk from Sixth Street to 14th Street.

“Hadestown” (Oct. 18-19): Presented by the OCTC Junior Company, this intriguing and beautiful folk opera delivers a resonant and hopeful theatrical experience. Show times are October 18 at 7:30 p.m. and October 19 at 2 p.m. at the Music Pier. Tickets are available at www.oceancitytheatrecompany.com.

John R. Elliott HERO Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run (Oct. 19): Register today at www.herowalkrun.org.

    Dogs dressed in colorful costumes will take over the Boardwalk during the Howl-O-Ween Parade on Oct. 15. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)
  

Dog Days (Oct. 25-26): Leashed dogs will be permitted on the Boardwalk from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. All are welcome and encouraged to bring their favorite furry canine friend. Activities for Saturday include dog-specific vendors along the Boardwalk, photo-op stations on the Boardwalk, and the Humane Society of Ocean City’s “Pet of the Year” announcement.

HSOC “Howl-O-Ween” Parade (Oct. 25): Hosted by the Humane Society of Ocean City. Contestants are encouraged to dress themselves and their pooch in zany Halloween costumes in the spirit of the season. Registration begins at 2 p.m. at the Civic Center, Sixth Street and the Boardwalk. The parade begins at 3 p.m. and will proceed from Sixth to 14th Street on the Boardwalk

Halloween Costume Skate (Oct. 25): The Ocean City Skate Park at Fifth Street and Asbury Avenue will celebrate Halloween 4 p.m. to dusk. Skateboarders are invited to come dressed for the holiday. There will be prizes for best costume and best trick, and candy for the participants.

O.C. Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Welcome Night (Oct. 29): 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Civic Center. Meet Ocean City groups, businesses and organizations. It is a free event.

Halloween Parade (Oct. 30): 7:15 p.m. on Asbury Ave. from Sixth to 11th streets. It is sponsored by the Ocean City Exchange Club. For more information, visit ochp.blogspot.com.

    The Halloween Parade on Oct. 30 promises to be monstrously fun. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)