The holidays are just around the corner and local businesses are ready to spread holiday cheer! Light up the holidays with Christmas tree lightings or start your Christmas shopping early at one of these fun shopping events around Cape May County.
Free Horse & Carriage Rides in Ocean City
Starting Saturday, November 21 from 12-3 p.m.
In front of City Hall, 9th Asbury Park, Ocean City
Enjoy the annual free Horse and Carriage rides in Ocean City every Saturday and Sunday from Nov. 21 through December 20. The free rides will run from 12-3 p.m. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ or visit oceancityvacation.com.
Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Saturday, November 21 at 5 p.m.
Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, Cape May
Santa and his elves have decked out the Physick Estate with thousands of lights and holiday trimmings. Enjoy a free performance of holiday classics by the Atlantic Brass Band as we join Santa in lighting the tree! The grounds are limited to 500 people therefore you must reserve a spot at capemaymac.org. Masks are required on the grounds during this event. The band will start playing at 5 p.m. and Santa will light the tree at 7 p.m., so don’t be late! Donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted for the Cape May Community Food Closet. Donations can be dropped in front of the outdoor stage. For more information, visit capemaymac.org.
Thanksgiving Weekend in Avalon
Friday, November 20 through Saturday, November 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Avalon Shopping District, Avalon
This year, the need for festive fun and celebration is greater than ever! The Borough of Avalon, the 7 Mile Business Community Association, and various community organizations have come together to plan a safe and socially distanced Thanksgiving weekend. While the town’s traditional weekend activities will be slightly modified, there will still be plenty of entertainment and fun for all ages. This year, the Festival of Trees will be hosted by participating businesses and be held earlier than usual, starting Friday, Nov. 20. Shop your favorite Avalon stores while browsing a variety of trees and wreaths on display. On Friday, head to Dune Drive for carriage rides, live music, children’s performances, crafts, giveaways and more. And stick around: While Santa will not be able to meet with families this year, he is still heading to Avalon with a special lighting of Dune Drive at 4:30 p.m., with a variety of characters waving along the way. Gather safely along Dune Drive and watch as the island lights up for the holidays! Following the lighting, head east to the beach for drive-in movies at the 30th Street parking lot Friday and Saturday. Then do it all over again on Saturday with more live entertainment, fun crafts and performances and, of course, some holiday shopping at our retail stores and restaurants. For a full listing of scheduled activities and events, go to visitavalonnj.com.
Sea Isle City Shop Small Weekend
Friday, November 27 to Sunday, November 29 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Throughout Sea Isle City
Kick off the holiday season in Sea Isle City and celebrate our unique Small Businesses during Thanksgiving Weekend! Stroll from store to store and get some holiday shopping done! Our stores will be open and are stocked with new fall and winter arrivals that make for the perfect gift! While you are out take advantage of deals, discounts and hospitalities. Customers who spend $20 or more at participating businesses throughout the weekend will be entered to win a $250 Sea Isle City Gift Certificate from the Chamber of Commerce, good at any of the participating businesses listed on the back of the card. The winner will be announced on Monday, Nov. 30 on our Facebook page so be sure to Like the Page and Follow along! Take a break for lunch and dinner at one of your favorite restaurants and enjoy all the holiday season has to offer. Full list of participating businesses available at www.seaislechamber.com.
Avalon’s Drive-In Christmas Movies
Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28 at 6 p.m.
28th Street and Avalon Avenue Parking Lot
Enjoy two movies at Avalon’s 2020 Drive-In Christmas Movies on Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28: ELF on Nov. 27 and How The Grinch Stole Christmas on Nov. 28. The movies will start at 6 p.m. each night. Bring your own food and beverage and enjoy a family night at the drive-in. Cars can tune their car radio to FM 92.3 for audio. For more information, visit avalonrecreation.org.
Sea Isle City Christmas Parade
Friday, November 27 at 7 p.m.
Along Landis Avenue, Sea Isle City
Even though Sea Isle City has canceled the Holiday Extravaganza and the Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, they are delighted to report that Santa Claus will still be in Sea Isle City that same weekend, because they received word from the North Pole that Santa wouldn’t miss coming to our community “for all the candy canes in the world!” On Friday, November 27, starting at 7 p.m., the city will host a socially-distanced parade along Landis Avenue to welcome Santa and officially kick-off the 2020 Holiday Season. More information about the parade and other “holiday happenings,” visit visitsicnj.com.
Stone Harbor Holiday Celebration
Friday, November 27 to Saturday, November 28
Throughout Stone Harbor
Celebrate the Holidays in Stone Harbor! There will be a holiday market under the Water Tower, Hospitality Night in the business district on Friday night, a Winter Wonderland Festival of Trees at the Women’s Civic Club, socially distanced photo ops with Santa and Mrs. Claus, the annual Scavenger Hunt, and musical and dance performances throughout the business district on Friday and Saturday. Even though there will be no parade, make sure you keep an eye out for a surprise visit from Santa on Saturday evening! For more information, visit stoneharbornj.org.
Holly Shores Festival of Lights
November 27 through New Years – Friday through Sunday from 4:30 to 9 p.m.
Holly Shores Camping Resort, 491 Route 9, Cape May
Drive-thru Holly Shores Camping Resort this holiday season to enjoy a Festival of Lights: their Drive-Thru Winter Wonderland! Local businesses will set up light displays. A donation of $10 is request and all proceeds will go to Cape Regional Health System. Viewing dates will be Friday-Sunday, Nov. 27th thru New Year’s Day, January 1, 2021. It will be open from dusk until 9 p.m., rain or shine. For more information, call 609-886-1234 or email info@hollyshores.com.
Wildwood’s Holiday Shopping Village
Saturday, November 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 :30 p.m.
Byrne Plaza & Downtown Wildwood, 3400 Pacific Ave., Wildwood
Enjoy a completely outdoor shopping experience on Saturday, November 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.! In the event of inclement weather, the rain date is Sunday, November 29. Please remember social distancing and masks are encouraged. Over 80 local small business vendors will be on hand for you to purchase the perfect holiday gift, including local artisans, specialty shops, handcrafted items, jewelry, baked goods, boutique shops, gifts, food, and so much more. There will be a Mudhen Brewing Company beer tent, so come out and have some fun at Byrne Plaza! Along with shopping, there will also be a Holiday Basket Raffle, a Gingerbread House Contest, and Holiday Entertainment and performances by Art Gymnastics and Cheer, Wildwood High School, Joanne Reagen Dance Studios, and the Chamber of Commerce Holiday Band. Please consider bringing an unwrapped gift for the Lunch with Lynch Foundation. All gifts remain local. For more information and the event schedule, contact the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce at 609-729-4000 or follow along on Facebook at Wildwoods Holiday Shopping Village.
NASW Community Christmas Event
Saturday, November 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum, 500 Forrestal Rd, Cape May
Naval Air Station Wildwood (NASW) Aviation Museum is hosting a FREE Community Christmas event at historic Hangar #1 on Saturday, November 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas at the Hangar will include live music, socially distanced visits with Santa, hot cocoa, cookies and unique photo opportunities with professional photographer Natalie Giuffre. Additionally, the museum gift shop will help you with your holiday shopping by offering 20% off in-store purchases for the day of the event. Be sure to arrive before noon to witness Santa’s arrival on a FDNY fire truck. For further details and agenda, please visit www.usnasw.org or call 609-886-8787.
Cape May City Christmas Carol Karaoke CANCELLED
Starting Saturday, November 28 at 6 p.m.
Rotary Park, 400 Lafayette Street, Cape May
Have an olde fashioned Christmas celebration with Rocking Around The Christmas Tree: Christmas Carol Karaoke! The events will take place Saturdays – Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 12, and Dec. 19. Sing along to your favorite Christmas tunes and enjoy free fun with your family and friends, and possibly a new holiday tradition! Please observe social distancing and mask requirements. For more information, visit capemaystrong.com.
Cape May City Christmas Tree Lighting CANCELLED
Saturday, December 5 at 6 p.m.
Rotary Park, 400 Lafayette Street, Cape May
Join in on a night of olde fashioned family fun, including caroling, a tree lighting ceremony, an a special visit from Santa Claus! The festivities start at 6 p.m. Please observe social distancing and mask requirements. Rotary Park is located at 400 Lafayette Street. For more information and more events, visit Cape May, NJ (Facebook.com/CapeMayCity) on Facebook.
*Events are subject to change due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please check with each event organizer before attending.*
For more information and an updated list of events, visit DoTheShore.com!