Ocean City’s holiday season officially begins this week as two longtime favorites return to Asbury Avenue and the Music Pier. The annual Christmas Parade steps off Friday, December 5 at 6:00 PM, bringing floats, music, community groups, and Santa Claus to the downtown district. The celebration continues through the weekend with the free Train Show on December 6–7 at the Ocean City Music Pier from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. These events mark the opening stretch of what’s traditionally one of the town’s most festive—and family-friendly—weeks of the year.

A Classic Parade Along Asbury Avenue

The Christmas Parade has become one of the most recognizable winter traditions in Ocean City, drawing families, longtime residents, and second homeowners back into the downtown area at the start of December. The route travels down Asbury Avenue, creating a lively corridor between 6th Street and the center of downtown’s shopping district.

According to the event updates, parade-goers can expect:

• Community floats decorated for the season

• Marching groups and performers

• Local organizations and youth groups

• Santa’s arrival to wrap up the event

Because the parade occurs at dusk, Asbury Avenue’s holiday lights create a warm backdrop for spectators lining the sidewalks.

Free Train Show at the Music Pier

The holiday spirit continues Saturday and Sunday with the annual Train Show at the Ocean City Music Pier, a favorite among kids, hobbyists, and nostalgia lovers. The show runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM both days and features multiple model train displays set up throughout the hall.

Families often plan their weekend around this event because it offers:

• Intricate model layouts

• Vintage-style displays

• Hands-on viewing for younger ki

• Free admission for all attendees

With the Music Pier positioned right off Moorlyn Terrace and the Boardwalk, parking and access are generally manageable during early December.

What to Expect Downtown

Asbury Avenue becomes especially lively on parade night, with many shops staying open later as part of the month’s “Festive Friday” spirit. While the larger Festive Friday events occur later in the season, several stores often take advantage of parade traffic to welcome visitors with window displays and early seasonal offers.

Expect:

• Heavier foot traffic near 8th–10th Street

• Occasional parking congestion around the downtown corridor

• Crowds forming along curb lines and intersections before 6:00 PM

For families planning to watch, arriving 20–30 minutes early is usually enough to find a comfortable viewing spot.

Where to Watch the Parade

Some of the best viewing areas tend to be near:

• 9th Street & Asbury Avenue, where the crowd is lively but not overly dense

• Between 7th and 8th Streets, close to shops and coffee spots

• Near City Hall, where Santa’s arrival often attracts families with young children

Choosing a spot near cross streets makes it easier to move between the parade route and nearby stores, restrooms, or warm indoor spaces.

OCNJ Traditions

There’s something familiar about early December in Ocean City: lights strung along Asbury Avenue, families bundled up in scarves, kids holding hot chocolate cups as the first float comes down the street. The parade and Train Show aren’t just events—they’re part of the rhythm that marks the transition into the town’s holiday season.

These small traditions help anchor the community, offering moments that feel the same year after year even as the crowds, floats, or displays change. Whether you live in Ocean City full-time or come down for winter weekends, the first week of December always seems to signal the start of something special.

FAQ: Ocean City Holiday Events

Is parking available along Asbury Avenue during the parade?
Some street parking remains open, but it fills quickly. Nearby lots around 8th Street offer alternative options.

Is the Train Show suitable for young children?
Yes. The layout designs and hands-on displays are family-friendly and highly popular with kids.

Do shops stay open late during parade night?
Many do, especially those centered between 7th–10th Street.

Final Thoughts

With the Christmas Parade on Friday and the Train Show throughout the weekend, Ocean City’s early December traditions offer residents and visitors a chance to enjoy the town’s most cheerful stretch of the season. These two events continue to anchor the holiday calendar along the island and bring people together downtown.

Sources: Patch, Ocean City event updates