December 2016

OC Christmas Parade - Saturday, December 3, 2016

Tis the Season!  The 34th Annual Ocean City Christmas Parade marches along Coastal Hwy. on Saturday, December 3.  The holiday parade starts at 11am on Old Landing Rd. and marches northbound in the southbound lanes of Coastal Hwy. to the judges' stand at 120th St.  The event will feature more than 50 units, including high school bands, horses, antique cars, colorful holiday floats, and more.

Professional judges will review bands and other units in nine categories, with trophies being awarded inside the Carousel Hotel following the parade.  The awards presentation is part of a post-parade reception hosted by the Carousel Hotel, bringing additional family fun for participants and patrons alike.  Festivities at the hotel will begin immediately after the parade conclusion and sill include half-priced ice skating, a DJ playing continuous holiday music and fee photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  In addition, complementary winter refreshments will be available.

To participate in the Ocean City Christmas Parade, which is coordinated by the Town of Ocean City, registrants should contact the Special Events Dept. at 410-250-0125.  There is no charge to participate.  For those wishing to view the parade, planty of seating will be available along the west side of the half-mile parade route, including the Food Lion parking lot and judging area.

Spectators will not be permitted to watch the parade from the median area of Coastal Hwy.  Motorists are reminded that traffic pattern changes will begin approximately 8am and traffic congestion and delays should be expected.  Also, due to the high volume of pedestrian traffic, everyone is reminded to Walk Smart by using cross walks and crossing with the traffic control signal.

For more information, contact Brenda Moore at 410-250-0125 or bmoore@oceancitymd.gov.

Enjoy this award-winning holiday paradise created for the whole family!  More than one million holiday lights sparkle throughout your favorite beach resort.  Northside Park will have hundreds of animated, lighted displays.  Relax and sip hot chocolate in the heated Winterfest Village pavilion.  Browse Yukon Cornelius' gift shop for a special gift and have a photo taken with Santa.  Board the Winterfest Express to tour the lights, including the themed exhibits of your favorite fairy tales.  Admission.  For more information, call 800-626-2326 or 410-250-0125.

Sunday - Thursday 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 5:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m.

The Avenue of Trees

Spreading holiday cheer!  Be sure to drive along Baltimore Avenue in Downtown Ocean City to see the dazzling display of lighted Christmas trees - "The Avenue of Trees".  In 2014, the Town of Ocean City initiated an effort to add new Christmas trees, replacing aging displays, on Baltimore Avenue.  As done in the past, the Town will once again offer the opportunity for local organizations, businesses, and residents to sponsor one of these new trees through "The Avenue of Trees" project.  The sponsorship fee is $2,000, only 36% of the actual cost to purchase and maintain each tree annually during the 5-year sponsorship duration.  Persons or businesses interested in participating in "The Avenue of Trees" sponsorship program should fill out a Sponsorship Application no later than October 31.  Signs will be created following application acceptance and receipt of initial payment.  Additional information is available by calling 410-250-0125.

New Year's Eve Fireworks

The Town of Ocean City will be hosting a New Year's Eve Fireworks Show at Northside Park to celebrate the beginning of 2017 and the 24th Annual Winterfest of Lights.  The fireworks display, which will begin promptly at midnight, will be accompanied by live entertainment, warm hot chocolate, and the opportunity to ride through the Winterfest of Lights.

Hours for the Winterfest of Lights, which was recently named a prestigious Top 100 Event by American Bus Association and voted "Maryland's Finest Holiday Tradition" by Maryland Life Magazine, will be extended until midnight.  This family-friendly event will allow visitors to travel through the winter paradise of lights and then listen to music by a local DJ as they wait for the countdown to midnight.

With more than one million holiday lights sparkling throughout Northside Park, the Winterfest of Lights New Year's Eve Fireworks Show will be a great way to ring in the New Year.