Get the Red, White, and Christmas Lights Ready: Ocean City Announces Night in Venice 2026 Theme and New Pageants

There is nothing quite like the energy in Ocean City when late July rolls around. For generations of locals and regular visitors, Night in Venice isn’t just a highlight on the calendar; it is the event of the summer. It’s the night Ocean City’s bayfront transforms into a glowing, floating theater, fueled by hometown pride and unmatched community spirit.

This week, City Hall gave us our first official look at what to expect for the 71st anniversary of the beloved boat parade, and it is shaping up to be one of the brightest and most unique celebrations yet.

Night in Venice Committee Chairman Dave Winslow and Mayor Jay Gillian officially announced that the theme for the July 25, 2026, extravaganza will be “Stars, Stripes and Christmas Lights.”

A Double Dose of Celebration

This year’s theme pulls double duty, offering local boaters and bayfront homeowners a massive canvas for creativity. First, it honors a monumental milestone for the country: the 250th anniversary of the United States. Second, because the parade falls on July 25, exactly six months before Christmas, it doubles as a massive “Christmas in July” celebration.

Expect to see the entire route from the Ocean City-Longport Bridge down to Tennessee Avenue lit up like December, but with a heavy dose of patriotic red, white, and blue.

“We want this year’s celebration to be bright and beautiful,” Mayor Gillian said in the city’s announcement. “Combining two great themes will really give our participants more flexibility and more reasons to celebrate.”

New Traditions: Little Miss and Junior Miss NIV

In addition to the theme, the city is introducing a brand-new tradition to the Night in Venice festivities. This year will mark the debut of two youth pageants: Little Miss Night in Venice (for ages 8 to 11) and Junior Miss Night in Venice (for ages 12 to 15).

The new pageants will take place at the historic Ocean City Music Pier on Wednesday, July 15. Contestants will participate in interview portions, evening gown and “boat wear” categories, and on-stage questions. The newly crowned queens and their courts will then have the distinct honor of presiding over the main boat parade on July 25.

For local families looking to get involved, registration is officially open now at ocnj.recdesk.com.

The city also shared a few more exciting updates for this year’s event:

• Sponsorships: ACME and OCNJ Watersports have stepped up as the official presenting sponsors for 2026.

• The Poster & Grand Marshal: Keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming reveal of the 4th edition commemorative Night in Venice poster, once again designed by talented local artist Aaron “Bogy” Bogushefsky. The announcement regarding this year’s celebrity Grand Marshal is also expected shortly.

• The Grand Finale: As always, the evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display over the bayfront immediately following the boat parade.

Join the Parade!

Whether you’ve lived here for decades or look forward to this weekend all year, the true magic of Night in Venice comes from the people who participate. You don’t need a massive yacht to join the fun. The standard boats, jet skis, and beautifully decorated back decks are what make this night uniquely Ocean City. As a reminder to participants, following the theme is always completely optional.

If you want to enter your boat or register your bayfront home for the decorating contest, sign up online at www.ocnj.us/NIV or call the city at 609-399-6111.

Dust off the holiday string lights, get o the American flags, and let’s get ready to show the Jersey Shore how Ocean City celebrates summer.