Ocean City Lights Up the Weekend with Holiday Cheer!
Ocean City continues to spread the holiday cheer this weekend, December 5th through 7th, with a festive lineup of events, highlighted by the annual Christmas Parade, a popular Train Show, and a fun-filled Holiday Festival.
The weekend begins with the much-anticipated Christmas Parade on Friday, December 5th, at 6 p.m. Floats, bands, and holiday cheer will travel down Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 11th Street. The parade will feature the Ocean City High School Marching Band, the Interboro High School Marching Band, and the Absegami High School Marching Braves. Spectators can look forward to seeing floats with beloved characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Buddy the Elf, and Frosty the Snowman, plus a cold-air balloon of The Grinch. The event culminates with a visit from Santa Claus in a traditional horse-drawn carriage.
Immediately following the parade, a special holiday drone show will light up the skies over Asbury Avenue, near Sixth Street. This display was originally postponed due to high winds and is now set to cap off the parade night. Before and after the event, attendees are encouraged to enjoy holiday shopping and dining along downtown Asbury Avenue.
Model train enthusiasts will want to mark their calendars for the annual Train Show, which will be held at the Ocean City Music Pier on Saturday, December 6th, and Sunday, December 7th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. The show features running model train displays of all gauges and vendors offering trains for sale. Admission to this popular event is free to the public.
The weekend wraps up with a lively family celebration at the Ocean City Free Public Library and Community Center (1735 Simpson Avenue). The annual Holiday Festival takes place on Sunday, December 7th, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The festivities include holiday crafts, a balloon sculptor, refreshments, and an appearance by Santa Claus. Live music will be provided by the Package Goods Orchestra.
As part of the festival, the Ocean City Historical Museum will be open for tours, featuring a complete train platform in its winter exhibit, and the Ocean City Arts Center will hold its annual winter pottery and gift shop sale.
Weekend Extras and Seasonal Favorites
The festive atmosphere continues throughout the weekend with additional activities. Santa Claus will be available for photos and visits from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Music Pier on both Saturday and Sunday. In addition, free horse-drawn carriage rides are offered on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue from noon to 3 p.m. Finally, the Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library will hold their Winter Book Sale on Friday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Saturday (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) in the library atrium.
This weekend offers a variety of festive activities for all ages, centered around the downtown and boardwalk areas, ensuring a memorable start to the holiday season.