1. First Night Celebration
Saturday, Dec. 31 at 4 p.m.
Throughout Ocean City
The event offers 70 entertainment programs from 4 p.m. until midnight on New Year’s Eve, plus an impressive display of fireworks at midnight. Buttons for admission to First Night are $20. This is the best entertainment value at the Jersey Shore. Welcome 2017 in a safe, non-alcoholic environment. For information, call 1 (800) BEACH-NJ, or visit www.firstnightocnj.com where you can find the entire entertainment schedule and order buttons online.
2. New Year’s Eve Celebration
Saturday, Dec. 31 at 5:30 p.m.
Sea Isle City Gymnasium, 4501 Park Rd., Sea Isle City
Pre-registration required.
The celebration allows kids to ring-in the New Year at a reasonable hour. The event features food, dancing, family activities, entertainment and an early countdown to midnight at 7 p.m. Pre-registration required. For more information and to reserve a spot, call (609) 263-0050.
3. New Year’s Day Shopping Extravaganza
Sunday, Jan. 1
Asbury Avenue from 5th to 14th streets, Ocean City
Take advantage of tremendous bargains all day long along Asbury Avenue from 5th to 14th streets! For more information, call 1 (800) BEACH-NJ or visit www.oceancityvacation.com.
4. 5K Boardwalk Run
Sunday, Jan. 1 at 1 p.m.
Ocean City Boardwalk, Ocean City
Start your New Year’s Day with Ocean City’s 5K Boardwalk Run. The race starts at 1 p.m., travels north and extends beyond the boardwalk due to a boardwalk reconstruction project. Pre-register for $20 through Dec. 30 at 9 p.m. at jbsportstiming.com. Race day registration is from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Civic Center, just off the boardwalk at Sixth Street, and is $30. This year’s event includes chip timing. For more information, call 1 (800) BEACH-NJ or visit www.oceancityvacation.com.
5. HERO Campaign Pledge & Plunge/First Day at the Beach
Sunday, Jan. 1 at 2 p.m.
Beach at Ocean City Music Pier, Boardwalk & Moorlyn Terrace, Ocean City
Splashing their way into the New Year, more than 1,000 participants are expected to take the HERO Pledge and rush into the Ocean City surf at the Music Pier on Sunday, Jan. 1 at 2 p.m. The plunge is paired with a pledge to the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers, a national non-profit organization dedicated to preventing drunk driving by promoting the use of safe and sober designated drivers. Plungers are asked to take the HERO Pledge to be a designated driver for friends and family whenever alcohol is served, and those who donate $25 to the campaign will receive a commemorative long-sleeved T-shirt. Event-day registration begins at noon. To register, donate or learn more, visit HEROCampaign.org.
To see all the ways you can Do The Shore this weekend, visit our events calendar at www.capemaycountyherald.com/calendar.