Ocean City New Year's 2019: A Guide To First Night And Day

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City is getting ready to ring in the new year. As many as 10,000 are expected to attend First Night, the family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration.

Here's a guide for First Night and First Day.

When: First Night runs 4 p.m. to midnight Dec. 31. The First Day 5K begins at 1 p.m. Jan. 1, and the First Plunge starts at 2 p.m.

Admission buttons: The $20 buttons are good for all events. Children 2 and under are free. Here's how to purchase:

• Online: Visit firstnightocnj.com.
• Call 609-399-6111.
• In person: Buttons can be purchased at the Welcome Center on the Route 52 causeway, at City Hall (861 Asbury Avenue) and at the Ocean City Music Pier Welcome Center (Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace).

Pickup at will-call will be available daily at the City Hall Welcome Center (Ninth Street entrance). Button sales and will-call pickup will be at the City Hall Welcome Center until 9 p.m. Dec. 31. Button sales and will-call pickup will move to the Music Pier Welcome Center from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 31.

FIRST NIGHT

Highlights: New entertainment for this year’s lineup includes:

• The Trammps (the Philadelphia-based band who made it big with “Disco Inferno” and other dance hits)
• Disney’s Imagination Movers (an Emmy-winning group performing an interactive, family-friendly rock concert)
• a stunt basketball show from the Harlem Wizards
• the Duprees performing with the Ocean City Pops
• a country line dancing experience with professionals teaching everyone the latest dances
• the Legacy Band performing party classics leading up to a confetti countdown at midnight

Traditional favorites include the return of rides at Wonderland Pier, ice-skating on a synthetic rink, open swim at the Aquatic and Fitness Center pool, the Franklin Institute interactive science show, string bands, magic shows, trivia, karaoke, and more. The evening is capped off with midnight fireworks launched from the beach between Fifth Street and Sixth Street.

Full schedule: The full schedule of events and activities and a printable grid is available at firstnightocnj.com.

Parking and transportation: All municipal parking lots and metered parking spots are free. Jitneys will provide free transportation from 5 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. for button-holders, operating continuously between sites starting at the Ocean City Transportation Center (Ninth Street and Haven Avenue) and Seventh Street Parking Lot (Seventh Street and Central Ave.). For a route map and complete information, visit firstnightocnj.com.

Dining and shopping: For a full list of Ocean City dining and shopping outlets open on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, visit firstnightocnj.com.

FIRST DAY AT THE BEACH

Boardwalk Run: A 5-kilometer run starts at 1 p.m. in front of the Ocean City Music Pier. Race-day registration begins 11 a.m. at the Music Pier at Moorlyn Terrace. Shirts for all who pre-register and while supplies last. Refreshments are available after the race. Entry fee is $30 (or $25 if you register before Christmas).

First Plunge: The ocean plunge starts at 2 p.m. on the beach adjacent to the Music Pier. Participants should register inside the Music Pier before heading to the beach. Registration is free, but all participants must sign a waiver. First Day At The Beach shirts will be on sale at the Music Pier for $20.

Shopping: There will be an all-day shopping extravaganza with discounts at stores on Asbury Avenue and the boardwalk from 5th to 14th Streets. Free horse-drawn carriage rides on downtown Asbury Avenue will be available noon to 3 p.m. on Jan. 1. Board in front of City Hall at Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue.

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