7 Things To Do In Ocean City This Thanksgiving Weekend

OCEAN CITY, NJ — It might be Ocean City's offseason, but there will be plenty to do this Thanksgiving weekend. Here are seven activities.

Fast and the Furriest 5K Turkey Trot

8 a.m. Thanksgiving

The 5-kilometer race on the Boardwalk benefits the Humane Society of Ocean City. For more information, call 609-398-9500 (ext. 4) or visit www.hsocnj.org/events.

The Christmas in the Downtown

2-5 p.m. Friday, Asbury Avenue between 6th and 11th streets

Ocean City's small-town "Black Friday," also known as "Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue." The event will feature carolers and performers along downtown Asbury Avenue between Sixth Street and 11th Street.

Downtown stores will offer discount shopping for gifts, and many Asbury Avenue restaurants will be open. Free horse-and-carriage rides will be available. Entertainment and Christmas carols will begin at 4 p.m. on the steps of City Hall at Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue. The Ocean City Theatre Company Show Choir will perform, and the Phillie Phanatic will be on hand to greet fans.

The event finishes at 5 p.m., when Santa Claus emerges from the City Hall rooftop. With the help of an Ocean City Fire Department ladder truck, Santa will descend and help light the Christmas Tree and illuminate City Hall. After the illumination, Santa will be available to meet with children at Mark Soifer Park (across Ninth Street from City Hall).

Small Business Saturday

The shopping discounts continue with downtown merchants.

Ocean City Pops Orchestra

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Music Pier

The Pops present "Holiday Pops: Musical Sounds of the Season." The performance will feature popular holiday and special performances by vocalist Scott Coulter and his cast of Broadway soloists. Children of all ages will enjoy the classic Christmas songs. Joining the show will be professional dancers from the Atlantic City Ballet's production of the “Nutcracker.”

Selections will include “O Holy Night,” “The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year,” “When You Believe,” “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Santa Baby,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” “White Christmas,” “The Glory of Christmas,” “Polar Express,” “Carol Sing-Along,” “Sleigh Ride” and “Pas de Deux” from “The Nutcracker.”

Tickets are $25 and $20. Call 609-399-6111 or visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.

Free Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

Nov. 30 to New Year's Day

Rides on downtown Asbury Avenue will be available noon to 3 p.m. on weekends through Dec. 22 and again on New Year’s Day. Board in front of City Hall at Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue.

Breakfast with Santa

Nov. 30 to Dec. 22

Santa Claus will meet with children 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at local restaurants. The schedule is as follows:

• Saturday, Nov. 30: Sunrise Café (1200 Asbury Avenue, 609-398-9300)
• Sunday, Dec. 1: Arlene’s on Asbury (624 Asbury Avenue, 609-399-3639)
• Saturday, Dec. 7: Jon & Patty’s Coffee Bar and Bistro (637 Asbury Avenue, 609-399-3377)
• Sunday, Dec. 8: Yianni’s Cafe (841 Asbury Avenue, 609-391-1113)
• Saturday, Dec. 14: Arlene’s on Asbury (624 Asbury Avenue, 609-399-3639)
• Sunday, Dec. 15: Sunrise Café (1200 Asbury Avenue, 609-398-9300)
• Saturday, Dec. 21: Yianni’s Cafe (841 Asbury Avenue, 609-391-1113)
• Sunday, Dec. 22: Jon & Patty’s Coffee Bar and Bistro (637 Asbury Avenue, 609-399-3377)

Photos with Santa

Nov. 30 to Dec. 22

Pose for holiday photos with Santa Claus in an Ocean City Beach Patrol lifeguard boat. Noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22 outside the Ocean City Music Pier (Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace). Photos are $10 each.

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