Celebrate Christmas in July…Down the Shore!
Celebrate Christmas in July…Down the Shore!
Who’s ready for a little Christmas in July?
Judging by the events scheduled down the shore this weekend, it looks like most of the southern coastal towns are!
If you’re wondering why some people celebrate this summer holiday in July (instead of June, which would be 6 months away from the real deal), it’s because that’s when the first one was hosted. This festive event dates back to 1933 when Fannie Holt, co-founder of Keystone Camp in Brevard, North Carolina, decided to bring Christmas cheer to her summer camp with activities like a gift exchange, a Christmas tree, and a visit from Santa. The concept gained further popularity with the 1940 movie “Christmas in July”.
Today, many towns make a big deal of this summer holiday, often with celebrations, parades, bike and boat decorating, and family-friendly events. Santa makes appearances, usually wearing swim trunks and a Hawaiian shirt. Holiday revelers can be found in bars along the coast wearing festive garb, ranging from Santa hats to ugly sweaters, and everything in between.
For a comprehensive list off festivities happening this weekend, read on!
Cape May
Washington Street’s Christmas in July Celebration
Friday July 24, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Washington Street Mall, Cape May
Enjoy a Cape May Christmas in July on Washington Street Mall! Join Santa for his Cape May vacation. He’ll be bringing his elf, Mistletoe, for all kinds of holiday events! Whale’s Tale is hosting an author book signing with Suzanne Simonetti (“A Cape May Christmas Story”) and Kimberly Brighton (“Cape May Christmas in July”). Family-friendly events include free face painting, candy canes, and photos with Santa. Live music from the Mill Creek Pickers and John King will delight your senses as you shop along Washington Street, where businesses will be offering coastal Christmas décor, festive merchandise and seasonal specials to help you jumpstart your holiday shopping. Donations for the West Cape May Community Christmas Parade will be collected.
Christmas in July at the Cape May Lighthouse
Saturday July 25, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Cape May Lighthouse
Enjoy family-friendly activities at the lighthouse in a joyful summer celebration!
Captain Kidd Treasure Hunt
Sunday July 26, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
238 Beach Avenue, Cape May
Join Captain Kidd for the 62 annual treasure hunt! Receive a sword and help find treasures. This event is open to kids 3-10.
Wildwood
Surfing Santas
Saturday July 25, 8:00 am
15th Avenue Beach, North Wildwood
Surfing, paddleboarding, and boogie-boarding Santas celebrate Christmas in July at the North Wildwood Beach Patrol Headquarters at 15th Avenue beach. Registration starts at 8:00 am and the water activities begin at 9:00 am. Participants and spectators are encouraged to dress festive and get in the holiday spirit because prizes will be awarded for best costumes!
North Wildwood Christmas in July with Santa Claus
Saturday July 25, All day event
North Wildwood beaches
Celebrate “Christmas in July” along North Wildwood Beaches! Take a photo with Santa, enjoy a candy cane, and sing along with live holiday music. Don’t forget to decorate your beach blanket, wear festive beach attire, and create your own reindeer games. Presented by the North Wildwood Beach Patrol. Approximate times and locations of Santa’s stops will be posted that morning
Wildwood Boardwalk Craft Show
Saturday July 25, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; Sunday July 26, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Wildwood Boardwalk (southern end)
This event, held various weekends throughout the summer, showcases an array of talented artisans and crafters, offering everything from handcrafted jewelry and home décor to unique artwork and beach-inspired treasures. Rain or shine. Other dates:, August 1/2, August 8/9, September 5/6.
Wildwood’s Christmas in July Golf Cart Parade
Saturday July 25, 10:00 am
Wildwoods Convention Center
Get ready to jingle all the way down the boardwalk—Wildwood’s 5th Annual Christmas in July celebration is set for Saturday, July 25, 2026, and it’s bringing festive summer fun to the shore once again! This quirky community favorite invites residents and visitors to deck out their golf carts in holiday cheer and join the morning parade along the iconic Wildwoods Boardwalk. Participants are encouraged to go all out with twinkling lights, inflatable Santas, beach balls in Santa hats, and tropical elves. It’s the perfect blend of holiday magic and seaside summer vibes. The fun begins with check-in and judging at the Wildwoods Convention Center semi-circle, followed by the parade kick-off at 10 am. Golf carts will be judged on creativity, holiday spirit, and overall presentation, with trophies awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
Wildwood Crest Christmas in July Festival & Boat Parade
Saturday July 25, 6:00 pm
Sunset Lake in Wildwood Crest
Celebrate the Christmas season in the summertime with the Wildwood Crest Christmas in July Festival and Boat Parade along Sunset Lake, near Atlanta and New Jersey avenues in Wildwood Crest. This event includes live music, magic and variety shows, face painting, photos with Santa and more. Food vendors will also be on hand for the event. The event concludes with the ever-popular Christmas in July Boat Parade in Sunset Lake at 8:45 pm. Prizes will be awarded to the best-decorated boats.
Community Band By The Sea Performance
Saturday July 25, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Byrne Plaza, Wildwood
Join us for the Community Band By The Sea Performance as we celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation and enjoy ‘Christmas in July.’ The concert will feature instrumentalists of all ages who will come together to support community band appreciation and engage in high quality music making opportunities by the Sea. Rain location Wildwood High School.
Stone Harbor/Avalon
Santa’s Stone Harbor Vacation
Wednesday July 22 through Saturday July 25
Throughout Stone Harbor
When Santa arrives for his summer getaway, the whole town rolls out the red carpet! Fun summer holiday events will be happening throughout town, including scheduled Santa visits, photo ops, a Christmas in July concert, and so much more! Sponsored by Stone Harbor Chamber. For more information about timing and locations, contact their website.
Icona Windrift’s Christmas Market
Friday July 24, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dune Bar, Icona Windrift
Come do early holiday shopping with local artisan vendors. Take photos with Santa and enjoy specialty cocktails and live entertainment.More festivities are planned for Saturday July 25!
Summer Celebration Cocktail Party
Saturday July 25, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
ICONA Avalon, 7849 Dune Drive, Avalon
Join the 12th Annual Summer Celebration Cocktail Party benefiting The Wetlands Institute at ICONA Avalon! Spend a memorable summer evening enjoying live music, exceptional food and cocktails, and browse auction packages available for bidding. Celebrate with friends, dance the night away, and support the important work of The Wetlands Institute.
Christmas in July Concert
Sunday July 26, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Stone Harbor
Get in the holiday spirit early at the Christmas in July Concert at Our Saviour Lutheran Church! In conjunction with Santa’s Stone Harbor vacation, enjoy an afternoon of joyful Christmas music, festive cheer, and warm fellowship following the concert. Bring your family and friends and celebrate the magic of the season, summer style!
Sea Isle City
Book Nook’s Christmas in July Celebration
Saturday July 25, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Book Nook, 3700 Boardwalk, Sea Isle
Come celebrate Christmas in July with Kimberly Brighton, author of Cape May Christmas in July. She will be signing copies of all five of her Jersey shore romcoms, including Sea Isle-set My Summer Bucket List. There will be refreshments and giveaways.
Beachy Keen’s Christmas in July Celebration
Saturday July 25, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
4601 Landis Avenue, Sea Isle
Join Beachy Keen as they celebrate Christmas in July with store-wide specials, refreshments, a visit from Santa, and more! From 2:00 – 4:00 pm, there will be a book signing withKimberly Brighton, author of Cape May Christmas in July. She will be signing copies of all five of her Jersey shore romcoms, including Sea Isle-set My Summer Bucket List.
Ocean City
Ocean City’s Christmas in July Celebration
Friday July 24 – Sunday July 26
Downtown Ocean City
Enjoy special deals with a festive holiday experience!
Ocean City’s Nights in Venice 5k Walk/Run
Saturday July 25, 8:00 am
19th and Haven Avenue, Ocean City
Races will Start and Finish on Haven Avenue at 19th Street on an out and back course. Race will travel south down the Bike Path. Race starts and finishes at the same place. Registration required.
Ocean City’s Nights in Venice Boat Parade
Saturday July 25, 6:30 pm
Ocean City/Longport Bridge to Tennessee Avenue
Ocean City will celebrate the 71st anniversary of Night in Venice at 6:30 p.m. July 25 this year, and the dual theme will invite more creativity as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States and “Christmas in July,” the day that falls exactly six months before the winter holiday. “Stars, Stripes and Christmas Lights” will invite all participants to decorate their boats and houses in festive colors and lights for the grand event. “Stars, Stripes and Christmas Lights” A spectacular fireworks display over the bayfront will be launched after the boat parade.
So basically every town has some sort of festive summer holiday event going on. Hope you can join us!
