Ocean City 2024 Festivals and Events
July
Gardens Civic Association Bike Parade
Thursday July 4, 2024 9:00 am
Longport Bridge parking lot, Ocean City
Registration for this parade is at 9:00 am and the parade begins at 10:00 am.
South OC Improvement Association Bike Parade
Thursday July 4, 2024 9:00 am
40th & Asbury Avenue, Ocean City
This parade is sponsored by the South OC Improvement Association, City of Ocean City & the Chamber of Commerce. Registration is at 9:00 am and the parade begins at 10:00 am.
Riviera Neighborhood Bike Parade
Thursday July 4, 2024 11:00 am
Rosemar Lane Park, Ocean City
Registration is at 11:00 am and the parade begins at 12:00 noon.
Ocean City Fourth of July Celebration Thursday July 4, 2024 7:00 pm
Ocean City Boardwalk
Celebrate the 4th with fun activities! A kite flying competition will begin at 7:00 pm and at 8:00 pm the Ocean City Pops will offer a free concert at Carey Stadium, 6th & Boardwalk. A spectacular boardwalk fireworks display tops off the evening at 9:00 pm.
Freckle Contest
Wednesday July 10, 2024 5:30 pm
Music Pier, Ocean City
Registration is free and begins at 5:30 pm. Contest starts at 6:00 pm.
Sand Sculpting Contest
Thursday July 11, 2024 9:00 am
6th Street Beach, Ocean City
This contest is open to kids, teens, adults and families. Registration is free and begins at 9:00 am at the 6th Street Beach. Judging takes place by 11:00 am.
Night in Venice
Saturday July 20, 2024 6:30 pm
Longport Bridge to Tennessee Avenue along the bay, Ocean City
The City’s annual boat parade is one of the largest in the world. Starts at the Longport Bridge to Tennessee Avenue along the bay. Fireworks display follows parade.
August
Sand Sculpting Contest
Thursday August 1, 2024 9:00 am registration; contest begins at 11:00 am
6th Street Beach, Ocean City
This contest is open to kids, teens, adults and families.
Annual Art of Surfing
Thursday August 1 – Saturday August 3, 2024
Ocean City Music Pier
This free event features original art from surfing’s biggest names, live music, and a chance to meet artists from across the country.
Annual Boardwalk Art Show
Friday August 2 and Saturday August 3, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm; Sunday August 4 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Ocean City Boardwalk
Leading artists from throughout the East Coast exhibit and sell their work.
114th Annual Baby Parade
Thursday August 8, 2024 10:30 am
Ocean City Boardwalk
Come enjoy one of the oldest baby parades in the country. Registration begins June 2024. For more information, visit ocnj.us/babyparade
Boys and Girls Fishing Tournament
Saturday August 10, 2024 9:00 am registration
North-End beach by the Longport Bridge, Ocean City
Free entry for all ages 8-16. All participants receive a prize. Sponsored by Ocean City Fishing Club and City of Ocean City.
Miss Ocean City Pageant
Saturday August 10, 2024 7:00 pm
Music Pier, Ocean City
Contestants compete in interview, talent, swimsuit, evening gown and onstage question.
Miss Crustacean Hermit Crab Beauty Pageant
Wednesday August 14, 2024 5:30 pm; contest begins at 6:00 pm
6th Street Beach, Ocean City
This event is the original beauty contest for crustaceans. Families, kids, businesses and organizations are invited to enter their crustacean in this annual contest. The winner receives the Coveted Cucumber Rind Cup and gets to walk down a flowery runway. Registration is free and contest is open to all ages.
Hermit Crab Races
Wednesday August 14, 2024 5:30 pm; contest begins at 6:00 pm
6th Street Beach, Ocean City
Watch as some of the fastest crabs in the universe compete in this world famous race immediately following Miss Crustacean at the 6th Street Beach. Registration is free and starts at 5:30 pm
Ocean City Green Fair
Friday August 16, 2024 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Music Pier, Ocean City
The communitywide event is designed to educate and encourage people of all ages to adopt a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Sponsored by the Environmental Commission.
September
Street Rod Show
Saturday September 7, 2024 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm
Ocean City Boardwalk
This event features classic cars on display.
Corvette Show
Sunday September 8, 2024 11:30 am – 4:00 pm
Ocean City Boardwalk, 6th Street – 14th Street
One of the largest shows of its kind in the East, over 350 models from every year Corvettes were manufactured will be on display.
Ocean City Airport Festival Annual festival
Saturday September 14, 2024 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Ocean City Municipal Airport, 26th and Bay Avenue
Enjoy a ground display of unusual airplanes ranging from World War II Planes to Classics and Warbirds. The event will feature a parachute jump from Team Fastrax.
Parachute Pyrotechnic Show
Saturday September 14, 2024
Ocean City Boardwalk
This show consists of several highly trained and specially licensed Team Fastrax™ demonstrators exiting the aircraft 6,000 feet above Ocean City’s Beach & Boardwalk. Brilliant white or multi-colored projectile pyrotechnics are then ignited and flown in formation, creating a dazzling display for spectators on the ground. Witness an 8:00 pm jump with a landing on the 7th St Beach. Viewable along the entire Boardwalk.
Boardwalk Aerobatic Airshow
Sunday September 15, 2024 1:00 pm
Ocean City Boardwalk, 6th – 14th Streets
Thrill to some of the best stunt pilots and aerobatic champions in the world plus military demonstrations over the ocean.
NJ Jeep Invasion
Saturday September 21, 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm
Boardwalk, between 5th Street –14th Streets, Ocean City
Jeeps will be on display along the boardwalk.
October
Ocean City Boardwalk & Downtown Merchant Table Sales
Saturday October 5 – Sunday October 6, 2024
Asbury Avenue and 6th Street– 14th Street on the boardwalk
Enjoy end-of-summer sales at this annual event.
Fall Block Party and Fireworks Spectacular
Saturday October 12, 2024 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Asbury Avenue from 5th – 14th Streets, Ocean City
Over 400 crafters, food vendors, music and more. In the evening, fireworks over the boardwalk will display at 9:00 pm.
Ocean City Boardwalk & Downtown Merchant Table Sales
Saturday October 12 – Monday October 14, 2024
Asbury Avenue and Boardwalk between 6th Street – 14th Streets
Find good bargains at this annual fall event.
Porsche Boardwalk Reunion- Porsches
Saturday October 19, 2024 11:am – 4:00 pm
Ocean City Boardwalk from 6th Street to 14th Streets
Over 350 Porsches of all models and years between 1954 and 2021 are expected. Free Tech Sessions on Porsche related topics open to all at the Music Pier.
Ocean City Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Welcome Night
Wednesday October 23, 2024 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Ocean City Sports & Civic Center
Meet OC groups, businesses & organizations! Free event!
Ocean City Halloween Parade
Thursday October 24, 2024 7:15 pm
Asbury Ave. from 6th – 11th Streets
This annual parade is sponsored by the Ocean City Exchange Club.
Dog Days
Saturday October 26 9:00 am – 5:00 pm and Sunday October 27, 2024 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Ocean City Boardwalk
Leashed dogs will be permitted on the boardwalk. All are welcome and encouraged to bring their favorite furry canine friend. Activities for Saturday include dog-specific vendors along the boardwalk, photo-op stations on the boardwalk, and the Humane Society of Ocean City’s “Pet of the Year” Announcement.
Humane Society of Ocean City “Howl-O-Ween” Parade
Saturday October 26, 2024 3:00 pm
Ocean City Boardwalk between 6th – 14th Streets
Hosted by the Humane Society of Ocean City. Contestants are encouraged to dress themselves and their pooch in zany, fun Halloween costumes in the spirit of the season. Registration begins at 2:00 pm at the Sports & Civic Center. The parade begins at 3:00 pm and the procession is from 6th to 14th Street on the Boardwalk.
November
Veterans Day Program
Monday November 11, 2024 11:00 am
Ocean City Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Avenue
Pay tribute to Veterans at this annual program.
Winterfest by the Sea
Saturday November 16, 2024 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Ocean City Civic Center
The Chamber of Commerce presents their Fifth Annual Winterfest By The Sea Holiday Shopping Extravaganza. The event takes place inside the Civic Center. Craft vendors, food vendors and strolling Santa will be present.
“Earlier than the Bird” Downtown Shopping Extravaganza
Saturday November 23, 2024 8:00 am – 12:00 noon
Asbury Avenue, Ocean City
Get out earlier than the bird and jump start your holiday shopping the weekend before Thanksgiving. Shop in your pajamas for early bird shopping specials.
Horse & Carriage Rides
Saturday November 23, 2024 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm
6th & Asbury Avenues, Ocean City
Enjoy a holiday stroll down Asbury in a horse drawn carriage.
Annual Fast & Furriest 5k Turkey Trot
Thursday November 28, 2024
Ocean City Boardwalk
This event is sponsored by the Humane Society of Ocean City. For more information call 609-398-9500 ext. 4.
Christmas in the Downtown – “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue”
Friday November 29, 2024 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Downtown Ocean City
Join the merchants & the Ocean City Chamber in kicking off an old-fashioned Downtown Christmas.
Horse & Carriage Rides
Saturday November 30 and Sunday December 1, 2024 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm
6th & Asbury Avenues, Ocean City
Enjoy a holiday stroll down Asbury in a horse drawn carriage.
Photos with Santa
Saturday November 30 and Sunday December 1, 2024 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Ocean City Music Pier
Take a festive holiday photo with Santa.
December
Ocean City’s Christmas Parade
Friday December 6, 2024 6:00 pm
Asbury Avenue from 6th Street to 11th Streets.
Enjoy this festive parade down Asbury Avenue.
Santa in the Downtown
Saturday December 7 and Sunday December 8, 2024 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Soifer Park, Ocean City
Meet the man himself and tell him all your wishes.
Train Show at the Music Pier
Saturday December 7 and Sunday December 8, 2024 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Music Pier, Ocean City
Train show is free to the public.
Horse & Carriage Rides
Saturday December 7 and Sunday December 8, 2024 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm
6th & Asbury Avenues, Ocean City
Enjoy a holiday stroll down Asbury in a horse drawn carriage.
Photos with Santa
Saturday December 7 and Sunday December 8, 2024 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Ocean City Music Pier
Take a festive holiday photo with Santa.
Festive Fridays
Friday December 13, 2024 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Asbury Avenue, Ocean City
Join Downtown Ocean City Merchants as they celebrate the holiday season with shopping specials. Enjoy Horse and Carriage Rides departing at 6th & Asbury through the downtown adorned with thousands of Christmas lights and shop for some for the best gifts this holiday season.
Santa in the Downtown
Saturday December 14 and Sunday December 15, 2024 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Soifer Park, Ocean City
Meet the man himself and tell him all your wishes.
Horse & Carriage Rides
Saturday December 14 and Sunday December 15, 2024 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm
6th & Asbury Avenues, Ocean City
Enjoy a holiday stroll down Asbury in a horse drawn carriage.
Photos with Santa
Saturday December 14 and Sunday December 15, 2024 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Ocean City Music Pier
Take a festive holiday photo with Santa.
Festive Fridays
Friday December 20, 2024 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Asbury Avenue, Ocean City
Join Downtown Ocean City Merchants as they celebrate the holiday season with shopping specials. Enjoy Horse and Carriage Rides departing at 6th & Asbury through the downtown adorned with thousands of Christmas lights and shop for some for the best gifts this holiday season.
Santa in the Downtown
Saturday December 21 and Sunday December 22, 2024 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Soifer Park, Ocean City
Meet the man himself and tell him all your wishes.
Horse & Carriage Rides
Saturday December 21 and Sunday December 22, 2024 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm
6th & Asbury Avenues, Ocean City
Enjoy a holiday stroll down Asbury in a horse drawn carriage.
Photos with Santa
Saturday December 21 and Sunday December 22, 2024 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Ocean City Music Pier
Take a festive holiday photo with Santa.
Ocean City’s First Night New Year’s Eve Celebration
Tuesday December 31, 2024
Various times and locations
Give 2024 a proper send-off at this annual event and get ready to ring in 2025. A complete schedule of entertainment leading up to fireworks at midnight. More details at http://www.FirstNightOCNJ.com
Ocean City’s First Day Events
Wednesday January 1, 2025
Enjoy a Shopping Extravaganza to welcome in the New Year with tremendous bargains in Downtown Ocean City, Asbury Avenue from 6th Street to 14th Street. There will also be a 5k Boardwalk run beginning at 1:00 pm. At 2:00 pm, join others for Ocean City’s first dip in the ocean for the New Year at the Music Pier beach.
