It’s not too early to plan your holiday getaway to the Jersey Cape! The spirit of Christmas comes early to your favorite beach towns beginning in the nation’s oldest seaside resort of Cape May and ending in Ocean City with a First Night celebration. Santa plans a quick getaway to the Jersey Cape to enjoy holiday season activities in Cape May, The Wildwoods, Stone Harbor, Avalon, Sea Isle City, and Ocean City, beginning Nov. 15. Check out the holiday activities below and mark your calendars for a holiday getaway to the Jersey Cape.


CAPE MAY’S HOLIDAY SEASON: Nov.15 - Jan. 1, 2025
Christmas In Cape May: For six weeks, the holidays always come early to this seaside town famous for gingerbread, gaslights and Victorian hospitality. Sip wassail, hop aboard a holiday themed trolley tour, take tea with Mrs. Claus or stop by the Physick Estate, lavishly decorated in true Victorian style. Learn more about the holiday traditions of the Victorian era of the 1890s, experience a Dickens Christmas extravaganza, a Lamplighter Christmas Tours, Santa Trolley Rides, Holiday Lights Trolley Rides, Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Rides or the annual Christmas Candlelight House Tours (Dec. 7, 14, 21) Enjoy food and wine events, craft fairs and so much more for the merriest of holiday seasons. Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts. 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278. www.capemaymac.org

OCEAN CITY’S HOLIDAY SEASON: NOV. 23 – JAN. 1, 2025
Earlier Than The Bird” Downtown Shopping Extravaganza: Nov. 23: 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. 8am to Noon. www.oceancityvacation.com

Free Horse And Carriage Rides Through Downtown: Nov. 23, 29-30, Dec. 1, 7-8, 14-15, 21-22: The Asbury shopping district in Ocean City becomes a “Miracle on Asbury Avenue” celebrating the holiday with beautifully decorated shops and special holiday offers, free horse and carriage rides throughout the downtown, photos with Santa Claus and much more. For more information call 800-BEACH-NJ. www.oceancityvacation.com

Fast & Furriest 5k Turkey Trot: Nov. 28. It takes place on the Ocean City Boardwalk. Sponsored by the Humane Society of Ocean City. For more information call 609-398-9500 ext. 4 or www.hsocnj.org

Photos with Santa: Nov.30, Dec. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. www.oceancityvacation.com

Christmas in Ocean City’s Downtown: “Our Miracle on Asbury Ave.” Nov. 29. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Join the merchants & Chamber in kicking off an old-fashioned Downtown Christmas. www.oceancityvacation.com

Ocean City Christmas Parade: Dec. 6. 6 p.m. on Asbury Avenue from 6th Street to 11th Street. Registration information at www.ocnj.us/christmas-parade

Train Show: Dec. 7-8 at the Ocean City Music Pier. 10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday. Admission free. www.oceancityvacation.com

Santa in Downtown Ocean City: Dec. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22. 9:00am to 11am at Soifer Park. www.oceancityvacation.com

Festive Fridays Along Downtown Asbury Avenue: Dec. 13 and 20. Join Downtown Ocean City Merchants as they celebrate the holiday season with shopping specials. Enjoy Horse and Carriage Rides from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. departing at 6th & Asbury through the downtown adorned with thousands of Christmas lights and shopping for some for the best gifts this holiday season! www.oceancityvacation.com

First Night New Year’s Eve Celebration in Ocean City: Dec. 31. A complete schedule of entertainment leading up to fireworks at midnight. More details at www.FirstNightOCNJ.com

First Day Shopping Extravaganza: Jan. 1, 2025. Welcome the New Year by shopping for tremendous bargains in Downtown Ocean City, Asbury Avenue from 6th Street to 14th Street. www.oceancityvacation.com

First Day 5k Boardwalk Run: Jan. 1, 2025. Pre-register at ocnj.us/race-events or race day 11:00am - 12:30 pm at the Ocean City Music Pier. Race begins at 1pm. www.oceancityvacation.com

First Day at The Beach: Jan. 1, 2025. 2pm at the Music Pier. Join us for Ocean City’s first dip in the ocean for the New Year. www.oceancityvacation.com

STONE HARBOR, AVALON AND SEA ISLE CITY
Island Holiday Weekend & Christmas Parade: Nov. 29-30: Stone Harbor. Holiday Market & Carousel, Water Tower Lot 11 am – 5 pm. On Friday – Pet Parade, 200 block 96th Street, 1 pm. Tree Lighting, 200 block 96th Street, 6 pm. Hospitality Night, business district, 6 pm – 9 pm. On Saturday – Downtown Dash, 96th Street 10am and Christmas Parade, 6:30pm. www.SHNJ.org or www.StoneHarborChamber.com

Festive Friday: Nov. 29: Avalon. Thanksgiving is over, now it’s time to get festive! Stroll Dune Drive while shopping in the many stores and boutiques and enjoy live music and children’s performances throughout the day. www.visitavalonnj.com

Snowfest Saturday: Nov. 30: Avalon. Throughout the shopping district in Avalon. Make plans to return to Avalon through Saturday for great shopping specials and more live music, performances, and children’s activities throughout town. www.visitavalonnj.com

Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony & Santa’s Arrival: Nov. 29: Sea Isle City. Santa Claus is coming to town! Kick-off the holiday season with the tree lighting ceremony and holiday festivities and Santa’s arrival at Excursion Park at 41st St. in Sea Isle City beginning at 6:30 p.m. Holiday events in December in Sea Isle City include Santa’s Calling, a House Lighting Contest and New Year’s Eve fireworks. www.visitsicnj.com

Winter Village At Excursion Park: Nov. 29-30. Sea Isle City. Let’s celebrate the season as we transform Excursion Park into a Winter Wonderland. Shop local and find unique gift ideas at the charming shopping village. Sample food prepared by fantastic local restaurants and Boy Scout Troop 76.  Enjoy holiday music and performances that will have you dancing and singing along. Holiday Quizzo with Angelo. Holiday-themed crafts, bounce houses, a visit by Santa and more! Fri. 2pm – 9pm and Sat. 11am – 6pm. Sponsored by the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization. www.seaislechamber.com


THE WILDWOODS HOLIDAY SEASON: Nov. 29 -Dec. 16
Family Holiday Celebration: Nov. 29 - Dec. 16. Enjoy five weekends of family fun in the Wildwoods. Friends, family, and holiday cheer, make Christmas the most wonderful time of the year! Celebrate in the Wildwoods this winter season and experience the magic of the holidays. There is plenty of entertainment and activities to help create family memories including a Shopping Village, a bonfire, parades, light shows, craft fairs, tree lightings, visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus and so much more. www.Wildwoodholiday.com

Wildwoods Holiday Shopping Village: Nov. 30: Wildwood. 10:30am - 3:30pm. A completely outdoor shopping experience. Join the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce on Small Business Saturday at Byrne Plaza at 3400 Pacific Ave. as downtown Wildwood is transformed into a holiday shopping village with homemade craft and food vendors, a beer garden and more. With over 80 local small business vendors on hand, you are sure to find the perfect holiday gift. Start a new tradition and bring the family to this unique outdoor shopping event. 609-729-4000. www.gwcoc.org