First Night in Ocean City, New Jersey: A Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Tradition

Ocean City, New Jersey, hosts one of the region’s most celebrated and enduring New Year’s Eve events: First Night OCNJ. Modeled after an alcohol-free celebration that originated in Boston, Ocean City’s First Night is a safe, family-friendly way to ring in the New Year, a tradition it has maintained for over 30 years since its inception in 1992.

First Night OCNJ transforms the city into a vibrant festival on December 31st, with activities running from 4:00 PM until midnight. The event is known for its massive scale, featuring:

• Over 70 distinct events

• More than 20 venues

While the full, printable schedule is available for download on the event’s website, attendees can expect a diverse array of entertainment spanning various locations across Ocean City. The core philosophy is to provide a wide range of activities suitable for all ages, ensuring a lively and memorable New Year’s Eve that everyone can enjoy.

Admission to First Night is granted through the purchase of admission buttons. Given the event’s popularity—attendance is capped at 10,000, and buttons have historically sold out—it is strongly recommended to purchase them in advance.

Ticket Pricing (Admission Buttons):

• Advance Price: $20 per person (inclusive of service fee) when purchased before December 1st.

• Standard Price: $25 per person (inclusive of service fee) starting December 1st, continuing until sold out.

Where to Buy and Pick Up:

• Online Purchase: Buttons are available for immediate purchase via the “Click to Purchase!” button on the website.

• Mail Orders: Mail orders typically begin shipping in the latter half of November.

• Will-Call & In-Person Sales: Buttons can be picked up or purchased at the City Hall Welcome Center (Ninth Street entrance). Sales and will-call pick-up continue on the day of the event (December 31st) from 9:00 AM until 8:00 PM, or until supplies are depleted.

The celebration doesn’t end when the clock strikes midnight. First Night extends into New Year’s Day with complementary activities known as “First Day at the Beach!” These events often include:

• The annual First Day 5K run.

• The exhilarating First Dip in the ocean.

• A First Day Shopping Extravaganza.

For complete details on the schedule, to purchase admission buttons, or to learn more about the annual tradition, please visit the official First Night Ocean City, NJ website at https://www.firstnightocnj.com/.