Ocean city Kicks Off Holiday Season with Earlier Than the Bird & More
The early forecast calls for mild temperatures on Saturday – ideal conditions to kick off the holiday season along downtown Asbury Avenue. In Ocean City, that means shopping in your pajamas during the annual Earlier Than the Bird celebration.
The downtown shopping extravaganza takes place 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 22 – the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Anybody (pajama-clad or not) can take advantage of early-bird shopping specials at stores on Asbury Avenue between Sixth Street and 14th Street. But free turkeys will be awarded to the best-dressed, and shoppers can text in to win gift certificates and prizes from downtown merchants. Free coffee will be available at Jon & patty’s (637 Asbury Avenue) and Ocean City Coffee company (917 Asbury Avenue).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 the downtown the old-fashioned way with boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.
The downtown will be celebrating the holidays throughout the rest of the year. The fun will continue on Nov. 28 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. A holiday drone show will then light the skies over Asbury Avenue to cap off the holiday event.
The family fun will continue on Dec. 5 with the annual Christmas parade at 6 p.m. on Asbury avenue from 6th Street to 11th street.
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. 5. anybody who would like to enter a walking unit, float, musical act, car or dance/cheer team, can register by Nov. 28 at ocnj.us/christmas-parade.
COMING UP IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
NOV. 22, 28, 29, 30 and DEC. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 – Free Horse-Drawn Carriage rides: These will start for the season from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, with boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue. They will continue during the same hours on Nov. 28, 29 and 30, then on weekends in December.
NOV. 25 – Community Thanksgiving Service: st. Frances Cabrini Church will host the annual Ocean City Ecumenical Council Community Thanksgiving Service at 12 p.m. tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. The service – sponsored by the Ocean City Ministerium and the Ecumenical Council – will include Thanksgiving hymns of praise and gratitude, thanksgiving reflections and the Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamation.
Ocean City, NJ, Announces Holiday Events Lineup
Ocean City, New Jersey, has announced a diverse schedule of events to celebrate the holiday season and New Year. Here’s a rundown of what’s happening:
DEC. 5 – Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Shopping: The annual Christmas Tree Lighting will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, at City Hall (861 Asbury Avenue). following the tree lighting, enjoy holiday shopping opportunities from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. near the Music Pier.
DEC. 5 – Christmas Parade: The annual Christmas Parade will step off at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, traveling along Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 11th Street. Those interested in participating can find registration information at the official Ocean City website: https://www.ocnj.us/christmas-parade.
DEC. 5-6 – Winter Book sale: The Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library will host a Winter Book Sale at the library atrium (1735 Simpson Avenue) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, dec. 6.A large collection of audiobooks will be available. Attendees are encouraged to bring a tote bag for their purchases.
DEC. 6-7 – Train Show: A free model train show will be held at the Ocean city Music Pier from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 and 7.
DEC. 14-22 – Lighting of the Hanukkah Menorah: Each night of Hanukkah, a candle will be lit at nightfall on the menorah displayed on the front lawn of City Hall (861 Asbury Avenue) to celebrate the festival of Lights.
DEC. 31 – First Night: Ocean City’s family-friendly First Night New year’s Eve celebration will feature over 70 entertainment programs at 20 venues throughout town. All-inclusive admission buttons are available for purchase at https://www.firstnightocnj.com/, by calling 609-399-6111, or at welcome centers in town. The cost is $20 per button until December 1st, after which the price increases to $25.This year’s entertainment includes tributes to journey and Motown,outdoor ice-skating,a magic show,a mentalist,the Harlem wizards,and tributes to Elton John and Billy Joel at the Ocean City High School auditorium.
JAN. 1 – First Day: Start the new year with a 5K run on the Boardwalk (https://www.ocnj.us/race-events) and a traditional first dip in the Atlantic Ocean.
Note: The original text stated First Night was celebrating the arrival of 2026.This has been corrected to 2025.
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