This week is another big one for holiday events. Three big holiday parades take place this week, one on Wildwood, one in Ocean City, and the biggest one of the year in West Cape May. Congress Hall, in downtown Cape May, will host its annual lighting of the biggest Christmas tree in Cape May County this week. Two movies, Barbie and Groundhog Day, are screening for free this week too. Find something to do with the list below, in order by date – orange events are clickable.
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Wednesday, November 29 at 3 p.m.
Ocean City Library Room N110
Free snacks – bring a friend!
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Thursday, November 30 from 4 to 4:45
Avalon Free Public Library
Stop by the library at 4 p.m. for a kids’ interactive activity, presented by the Wetlands Institute. Suggested for ages 3-6.
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Every Friday through Christmas
Join Downtown Ocean City Merchants as they celebrate the holiday season with shopping specials. Enjoy Horse and Carriage Rides from 4 to 7 p.m. p.m. departing at 6th & Asbury through the downtown adorned with thousands of Christmas lights and shop for some for the best gifts this holiday season!
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Meet Santa in Ocean City
Santa will be in Ocean City every Friday through Christmas from 9 to 11 a.m. at Soifer Park and from noon to 3 p.m. at Music Pier.
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Wildwood’s Winter Wonderland at Holly Beach Park
Daily starting Dec. 8
123 E. Andrews Avenue, Wildwood
Enjoy Wildwood’s very own Winter Wonderland at Holly Beach Park. The light show will kick off on December 8-9 and run every half hour from 5-9 p.m. Bring the family and enjoy the light show with complimentary hot chocolate, popcorn, letter writing to Santa, and a visit from Mr. & Mrs. Claus. Light show and decorations will be on display nightly from 6:30–7 p.m. through mid-January.
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Wildwoods Jaycees Christmas Parade
Friday, Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m.
Registration begins at 5:00 p.m. at the North Wildwood Recreation Center (10th and Central Avenues). Lineup begins at 5:30 p.m. and the parade starts promptly at 6:30 p.m. with a new route and followed by a Tree Lighting Ceremony and parade awards at 7:30 p.m. at Byrne Plaza. Rain date is Sunday, Dec. 3.
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Friday, Dec. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Congress Hall, Cape May
The evening kicks off with live music from the Don Evans Trio at 6 p.m. and with a concert and sing-a-long featuring the Congress Hall Festive Choir at 7:30 p.m. After the singalong, at 8 p.m., everyone will count down together and light the switch.
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Friday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.
Wilbraham Park, at Myrtle Avenue and Perry Street
Visitors can enjoy music, holiday favorites sing along, and light refreshments.
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Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ocean City Public Library
Items sold include fiction, nonfiction and childrens books, and jigsaw puzzles. Cash only – come get great books for great prices.
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Friday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.
Rotary Park in Cape May
The festive family program will include caroling, remarks from dignitaries, and a special visit from Santa Claus!
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Friday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.
Asbury Avenue, Ocean City
6th Street to 11th Street. Registration information at ocnj.us/christmas-parade.
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Wildwood Crest Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, Dec. 1 at 5 p.m.
Sunset Lake at Atlanta and New Jersey Avenues
Tree lighting ceremony to kick off the Christmas season in the borough. Music, light refreshments, a visit from Santa Claus and more!
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“Holiday Pops” Concert in Middle Township
Saturday, Dec. 2 at 3 p.m.
Middle Township Performing Arts Center.
This concert will feature Music Director and international entertainer Linda Gentille, Violinist Susan Elsayed, soprano and Pops favorite Jacklyn Buckingham, and vocal impressionist Keith Hickman. This concert will feature treasured holiday classics and spiritual standards. Buy tickets here, and call 609-628-4544 for more info.
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Sea Isle Historic Museum Holiday Open House
Saturday, Dec. 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
4800 Central Avenue Sea Isle City
Come get into the Holiday Spirit. Take a “Stroll Through Time” while enjoying light refreshments and Holiday Music.
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Sheep Farm Holiday Craft Show
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2 and 3 from 19 a.m. to 4 p..m
551 Hands Mill Road, Belleplain
This annual craft show celebrates its 30th year – come out to find handmade wool sweaters, yarns, and gifts from over 18 different vendors. Breakfast, lunch, and baked goods are also available.
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Wassail Day at Historic Cold Spring Village
Saturday, Dec. 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
735 Seashore Road entrance only
Select buildings will be open where guests can enjoy live music, hot beverages, and holiday treats served by historical interpreters in period clothing. Visitors can meet Father Christmas in the Country Store.
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Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Music Pier, Ocean City
This annual event has lots of model train vendors and wonderful displays. Free admission!
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West Cape May Christmas Parade
Saturday, Dec. 2 from 5 to 8 p.m.
The West Cape May Community Christmas Parade, Cape May’s biggest event of the winter, steps off at 5 p.m. at the West Cape May Fire Hall. The parade can be expected to arrive in the Mall area sometime after 5 p.m., with a route that takes it on Perry Street and down Carpenters Lane.
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Saturday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m.
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse
Christmas tree lighting event includes music, refreshments, self-guided tour of the lighthouse and Santa Claus! Free admission.
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Avalon Historical Society Holiday Party
Saturday, Dec. 2 from 4 to 7 p.m.
History Center, 215 39th St, Avalon
Enjoy food & refreshments, music, good company, and good cheer at this open house!
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Holiday Marketplace at the Nature Center of Cape May
Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Nature Center of Cape May, 1600 Delaware Ave
Come support local artists at this fundraiser event. Stop by the hot chocolate station as you shop and stroll or take a break and warm up by the fire pit. Proceeds go directly to support artist and author friends of the Nature Center who have volunteered and donated.
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Santa and Co. at the Mall
Saturday, Dec. 2 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Santa, Mrs. Claus, Elves and Musicians will stroll the mall. Take pictures with these jolly visitors, who are collecting money for the Cape May Food Bank.
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Annual Crafts at Christmas Show
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2 and 3 from 9 to 4 p.m.
Cape May Convention Hall
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Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.
Wildwoods Convention Center
Have a little extra fun with some Holiday Cheer featuring all Drag Queens – this event helps local families in need through the Wildwood Chamber’s Foundation for a Better Community. Tickets can be purchased in advance through Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce Foundation
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John Walter Band’s Holiday Spectacular
Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m.
Middle Township Performing Arts Center, 212 Bayberry Dr., Court House
The John Walter Band, the Community Concert Band of Cape May County, presents its Annual free Holiday Concert spectacular – the band will perform a musical tribute titled “Splendor of the Holidays” to celebrate its 27th year serving Cape May County through Music and Community Service.
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Sunday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 10
MudHen Brewing Co. on Rio Grande Ave in Wildwood
Come wrap up your holiday shopping with a bow at our annual Shopping Village at MudHen Brewing Company. Enjoy entertainment for the entire family! Make sure to visit all of our wonderful vendors in the parking lot and finish that list! Live music from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
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Ocean City Library Holiday Festival
Sunday, Dec. 3 from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Ocean City Public Library
The event kicks off in the Atrium at 1 p.m. – there will be holiday crafts, a balloon sculptor, live music, refreshments, a visit from Santa (brings your letters!) and Mrs. Claus, and a reading from a children’s book author.
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Angelus Chorus Christmas Concert
Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m.
Middle Township PAC, 212 Bayberry Dr, Court House
This special performance from the community choir of Cape May County features accompaniment from the John Walter Band.
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Cape Choral Concert: “Bells of Christmas”
Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m.
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 30th and Bay, Ocean City
Come see Cape Choral’s festive Christmas concert! This concert includes guest musicians Red Shriver, tenor, Emily and Nicholl & Vera Bojco, violinists, William Shea, bassist. Light refreshments and free-will offering.
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Free Movie: Groundhog Day
Monday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m.
Ocean City Library Room N110
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Angelus Chorus Christmas Concert #2
Monday, December 4 at 7 p.m.
Cape May Methodist Church, 635 Washington Ave.
Come hear resounding voices sing with holiday cheer at this special performance from Cape May County’s community choir.
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Angelus Chorus Christmas Concert #3
Wednesday, December 6 at 7 p.m.
Cape May Convention Center, 714 Beach Drive
Come hear resounding voices sing with holiday cheer at this special performance from Cape May County’s community choir.
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Avalon Concert: Sounds of the Season
Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 4 p.m.
Avalon Free Public Library
Pianist and music Historian Jay Daniels will delight the audience with music for the holidays – from Christmas classics to Hanukkah favorites.
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Christmas on the Homefront
Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.
Virtual event by Naval Air Station Wildwood – sign up by clicking here
Historian Mary Rasa will transport you back to the World War II homefront and share the heartwarming stories of Christmas during wartime.