Events this Week: Dec. 13 – 20, 2023

If you missed out on holiday happenings, there are still a few great ones yet to take place. The Wildwood Crest Holiday Lights Walk is a great way to meet locals and see well-decorated homes. Several free holiday concerts take place this week at local churches and venues, and all of them bring together talented local musicians who are excited to spread holiday cheer. Orange links take you to the event’s site.

Belleplain Group Hike 

Thursday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. 

Meet at Belleplain Park Office 

Winter Wonderland Storytime 

Thursday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. 

Court House, and Wildwood Crest, Libraries 

Kids age 2-6 & their families are invited to come celebrate the season with a special winter-themed storytime. Wear your comfiest pajamas as we read snowy stories, sing songs, and decorate cookies. No registration is necessary – just show up! 

Concert: Reimagining the American Songbook 

Thursday, Dec. 14 from 6 to 7 p.m. 

Court House Library, 30 Mechanic St.

Concert performed by Abe Ovadia, Jazz Guitarist – As Musicvox Guitars describes, Abe Ovadia is a “jazz virtuoso, one of the most innovative guitarists of our time.”  

Grow Your Own Mushrooms at Home 

Friday, Dec. 15 from 1 to 2 p.m. 

Court House Library, 30 Mechanic St.

Lin Conover, owner of Wood Song Mushrooms, LLC, first began learning about mushrooms through a deep dive into soil health and composting methods. With an appreciation for the integral role fungus has for our living planet, she began the process of identifying wild species and growing cultivated mushrooms. 

Holidays at MudHen

Saturday, Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

127 W Rio Grande Ave, Wildwood

Mudhen will be decked out with holiday decorations, and lots of local vendors will be present to help you pick out the perfect last-minute holiday gift.

Holiday Live Music on the Cape May Mall 

Saturdays, December 16 through December 30 

Washington Street, Cape May

Live music featuring local musicians on the Washington Street Mall! 

Lower Township: Winter Crafts and Cards 

Saturday, Dec. 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. 

Lower Township Public Library, 2600 Bayshore Rd, Villas

It’s the most wonderful time of year to stop by the library. Children ages 2-12 are invited to make holiday cards for loved ones. We will also be creating simple winter crafts! This is a drop-in program, come anytime between 2 and 4. 

Live Nativity in Sea Isle 

Saturday, Dec. 16 from 4 to 6 p.m. 

Saint Joseph Church 126 44th Street 

There will be a mass at 4 p.m. – the nativity begins at 5 p.m.  

Avalon Concert: Six Centuries of Cello 

Saturday, Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. 

Avalon Tennis Building, 250 39th St.  

Cape May cellist Dr. Brenda Leonard will discuss the history of the cello and how music for the instrument has evolved from the 16th to the 21st centuries. As part of this lecture-recital, she will perform solo cello works composed during each of the six centuries the instrument has been in existence and answer questions about the cello and music history in general. 

Santa Paws Dog Walk 

Saturday, Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. 

North Wildwood Entertainment District 

The North Wildwood Business Owners Association presents Santa Paws on December 16, 2023! Come out and enjoy doggie treats and photo ops at participating establishments along the route. The walk begins at 1 p.m. at The Surfing Pig, then proceeds to the Anglesea Pub, Keenan’s Irish Pub, and finishes at the Inlet On Olde. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes! For more information visit wildwoodholiday.com 

Elf Dash Bar Crawl for Charity 

Saturday, Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. 

Bars across Cape May 

Participants in this fundraiser will race across four bars in Cape May and meet afterwards at 7:30 p.m. at Carney’s for an after-party that accepts holiday food donations. There will be games and lots of fun – be there for this annual bar crawl! Register online at www.elfdash.com 

Let It Snow Storytime 

Saturday, Dec. 16 at 10 a.m. 

Court House Library, 30 Mechanic St.

It’s almost time for snowmen! Join us for a warm and cozy storytime celebrating snow as we welcome the winter season! 

Santa at Cold Spring Brewery

Sunday, Dec. 17 from 12 to 3 p.m.

Historic Cold Spring Village, 735 Seashore Rd, Lower Township

Santa will be aboard the Village’s pirate ship, “The Villager,” in the parking lot to collect unwrapped toys for the Lower Township Toy Drive. Toys will be picked up from the Village on Dec. 18.

Church of the Assumption Holiday Concert 

Sunday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m 

Church of the Assumption, 7100 Seaview Ave., Wildwood Crest 

The church’s three parish choirs will be accompanied by brass, strings, woodwinds, percussion, piano, and organ players under the direction of Jonathan Delgado. Doors open 5:30 p.m. and a free-will offering will be collected. 

Cape May Jazz Vespers – The Cartoon Christmas Trio 

Sunday, Dec. 17 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.  

Cape May Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St. Cape May 

Come out for festive music from your favorite holiday cartoons performed live! 

Child of Hope: A Christmas Cantata 

Sunday, Dec. 17 at 10 a.m. 

Cape May Lutheran Church, 509 Pittsburgh Avenue 

Cape May Lutheran Church presents a Christmas cantata performance of “Child of Hope: A Christmas Message of Encouragement and Peace,” featuring the church’s choir with instrumental accompaniment. 

3 Tales from Christmases Past, a performance  

Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. 

Court House Library 

In this unique program, professional actress Michèle LaRue brings to life a trio of vintage holiday stories about love, joy, and giving: The Christmas Sing in Our Village, by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman (1898); Their Dear Little Ghost, by Elia W. Peattie (1898); The Gift of the Magi, O. Henry’s well-loved favorite (1906) . . . and a surprise from Louisa May Alcott. 

Wildwood Crest Holiday Lights Walk 

Monday, Dec. 18 at 5:30 p.m. 

Rambler Road and New Jersey Avenue, by Sunset Lake in Wildwood Crest 

Walkers will meet at the corner of Rambler Road and New Jersey Avenue and will take an approximately 30-minute walk along Sunset Lake and the surrounding neighborhood to view the various holiday and Christmas light displays. The Holiday Lights Walk is free but registration is encouraged. Participants will receive a small holiday gift.