Ocean City October Events Guide: Porsches, Theater, Halloween Parades, and More Fill October Calendar

From classic cars and musical revues on the boardwalk to upcoming Halloween traditions and community celebrations, Ocean City is packed with exciting activities for residents and visitors throughout October.

Here is a look at what is happening around town this weekend and into the weeks ahead, courtesy of the City of Ocean City.

🚗 This Weekend: Porsches, The HERO Walk, and Rodgers & Hammerstein

Porsche Boardwalk Reunion

• When: Saturday, Oct. 17 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Where: Ocean City Boardwalk (Sixth Street to 14th Street) & Music Pier

• Details: More than 350 classic and modern Porsches—dating from 1954 to the present—will line the Boardwalk for this popular annual showcase. Free tech sessions on Porsche-related topics will also be hosted at the Music Pier.

• More Info: Visit www.boardwalkreunion.org.

The John R. Elliott HERO Walk & Fun Run

• When: Sunday, Oct. 18 (Registration at 9 a.m., Fun Run at 10 a.m., Ceremonies at 10:30 a.m., 5K Walk at 11 a.m.)

• Where: Sports and Civic Center (Sixth Street and Boardwalk)

• Details: This inspiring annual event raises awareness for the vital importance of sober designated drivers. Participants can take part in a 1-mile fun run or the 5K walk along the Boardwalk.

• More Info: Visit herocampaign.org.

OCTC Presents ‘A Grand Night for Singing’

• When: Thursday, Oct. 16 and Friday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 18 at 2 p.m.

• Where: Ocean City Music Pier

• Details: The Ocean City Theatre Company presents a fresh and inventive musical revue celebrating timeless favorites from Rodgers and Hammerstein classics like Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, and The Sound of Music. Conceived by Tony Award-winning director Walter Bobbie, the show brings together beloved songs in unexpected new ways.

• More Info & Tickets: Visit oceancitytheatrecompany.com.

🐶 Coming Up: Howl-O-Ween Parade and Dog Days (Oct. 24–25)

Paws, costumes, and the Boardwalk come together for the sixth annual Howl-O-Ween Parade on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 3 p.m.

• The Event: Leashed dogs and their owners are invited to dress in costume for a festive procession down the Boardwalk from Sixth Street to 14th Street. Saturday will also feature dog-specific vendors, photo-op stations, and the Humane Society of Ocean City’s announcement of Ocean City’s “Pet of the Year.” All parade proceeds benefit the Humane Society.

• Dog Days: Leashed dogs are permitted to walk the Boardwalk during special weekend hours: Saturday, Oct. 24 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday, Oct. 25 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

• Registration & Vendors: Sign up your pup for the parade or apply to be a vendor at ocnj.us/dogday.

🎃 Halloween Events and Registration Deadlines

Ocean City’s spooky season calendar is loaded with community fun, contests, and trick-or-treating:

• Halloween House Decorating Contest: Sign-ups close at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Homes and businesses compete for gift certificate prizes across multiple categories, with judging on the evenings of October 22 and 23. A map of participants will be posted so everyone can tour the decorated properties. Sign up at ocnj.us/halloweenhouse.

• Halloween Costume Skate: Skateboarders can hit the Ocean City Skate Park (Fifth Street and Asbury Avenue) in costume on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 4 p.m. to dusk. Prizes will be awarded for best costume and best trick, alongside candy for participants.

• Library Halloween Fest: The Ocean City Free Public Library (1735 Simpson Avenue) hosts a free family celebration for witches, wizards, and sorcerers of all ages on Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., featuring games, crafts, music, stories, a dry-ice station, and more.

• 78th Annual Halloween Parade: Organized by the Exchange Club of Ocean City in partnership with the city, this beloved community tradition steps off at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, October 29 along Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 11th Street. Divisions include children, families, pets, organizations, dance teams, and floats. To register, email oceancity_halloween@yahoo.com with your contact info, division, and description. For more details, visit Ocean City Halloween Parade Blog or www.ocxc.org.

• Traditional Trick-or-Treating: Scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

🗓️ More Family Fun Later in October

• Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep (Oct. 24): Volunteers are invited to help clean local beaches from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register at cleanoceanaction.org, check in at the Ocean City Music Pier, and bring your own bucket and gloves. (Note: Press release lists date as Oct. 14; please verify via their website for the correct sweep date).

• OC Chamber of Commerce Annual Welcome Night (Oct. 28): Meet local groups, businesses, and organizations from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Sports & Civic Center. This is a free event.