Santa Sighting in Ocean City

Ocean City Pops Orchestra Performs Special Holiday Show on Saturday

Ocean City’s small-town version of “Black Friday” takes place on Friday, Nov. 26. The Christmas in the Downtown – “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue” – goes from noon to 5 p.m. The event will feature carolers, Santa, 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 4 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 Ocean City Theatre Company Show Choir will perform.

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. This dramatic entrance is nostalgic of days past and continues a tradition that began in the 1960’s.

The shopping discounts will continue on Nov. 27 as downtown merchants celebrate Small Business Saturday.

Music lovers can enjoy a special holiday performance of the Ocean City Pops Orchestra on Saturday, Nov. 27. Conductor Vince Lee will lead the Pops as they perform classic favorites and modern holiday hits. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets are $15 and $20. Call 609-399-6111, visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, or stop by the Music Pier Box Office on the night of the show.

COMING UP

Free Horse and Carriage Rides (weekends through Dec. 18-19): Noon to 3 p.m. with boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.

Fast & Furriest 5k Turkey Trot (Nov. 25): The annual Thanksgiving morning 5-kilometer run begins at 8:30 a.m. and follows a coursedown the Ocean City Boardwalk. The event also includes a 5K walk and a one-mile fun run. Sponsored by the Humane Society of Ocean City. Online registration is a runsignup.com, and race-day registration opens at 7 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. For more information, call 609-398-9500 ext. 4 or visit hsocnj.org.

Visits With Santa (weekends Nov. 27-28 through Dec. 18-19): 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Mark Soifer Park (Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue). For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.

Photos With Santa in an OCBP Lifeguard Boat (weekends Nov. 27-28 through Dec. 18-19): Noon to 3 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.

Christmas Parade (Dec. 3): 6 p.m. Friday on Asbury Avenue from 6th Street to 11th Street. Registration information at ocnj.us/christmas-parade. For more information, call 609-399-6111. Floats, bands and of course Santa Claus will be present.

Train Show (Dec. 4-5): 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Ocean City Music Pier. Admission is free. For more information, call 609-399-6111.

Swingin’ Through the Holidays (Dec. 10-12): Ocean City Theatre Company’s annual Holiday Extravaganza is back. A cast of professional singers and dancers will present a high-energy, family–oriented song-and-dance tribute to the holidays. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday (Dec. 10); 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12 at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets are $15 and $18. Call 609-399-6111, visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, or stop by the Music Pier Box Office on the days of the shows.

Elf: The Musical Jr. (Dec. 17-18): The Ocean City Theatre Company Junior Company will perform a musical based on the beloved holiday comedy film. (Please be advised that cast members may be wearing transparent face coverings during the performance.)  Show times are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17, and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets are $15. Call 609-399-6111, visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, or stop by the Music Pier Box Office on the days of the shows.

First Night (Dec. 31): Celebrate New Year’s Eve with the family in Ocean City. The annual event features more than 70 shows and activities and venues throughout town. Fireworks ring in the new year at midnight. For admission buttons, schedules and more information, visit firstnightocnj.com or call 609-399-6111.

First Day Shopping Extravaganza (Jan. 1): Welcome the New Year by shopping for tremendous bargains in downtown Ocean City, Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 14th Street. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.

Free Horse & Carriage Rides (Jan. 1): Noon to 3 p.m. with boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.

First Day Boardwalk 5K (Jan. 1): Race starts at 1 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Pre-register at ocnj.us/race-events. Race-day registration opens at 11 a.m. at the Music Pier.

First Day at the Beach (Jan. 1):  Featuring Ocean City’s first dip in the ocean for the New Year at 2 p.m. On the beach adjacent to the Music Pier. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.