Christmas Parade Is 'Rain Or Shine' In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Don't worry about the forecast, because Ocean City's annual Christmas Parade is on for Friday rain or shine.

The parade travels down Asbury Avenue on Dec. 1, starting at 6 p.m. Lights, garland, wreaths and bows adorn “The Avenue” for the season, and the parade will bring a variety of bands, floats and other entries to add a little warmth to the winter, the Ocean City Department of Community Services said.

The event gives spectators time to shop and dine on downtown Asbury Avenue before and after the 6 p.m. start time. It starts at Sixth Street and proceeds to 11th Street.

This year’s parade will feature entries including the Ocean City High School Marching Band, the Interboro High School Marching Band (of Prospect Park, Pa.), and the Absegami High School Marching Braves. Characters from “Frozen,” Frosty the Snowman, Buddy the Elf, Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be on floats. Cold-air balloons – including the Grinch – will be part of the fun. Two string bands, Martin and Mollie Mollusk and a variety of floats also will participate.

The finale features Santa Claus himself, greeting boys and girls from a horse-drawn carriage.