One Last 'Festive Friday' In Store For Ocean City This Season

OCEAN CITY, NJ — One last "Festive Friday" is in store for Ocean City, offering shoppers the chance to grab last-minute holiday gifts and enjoy some Christmassy fun.

Dec. 20 is the final Festive Friday of the year. Aside from extended shopping hours, there will be strolling carolers and free horse-and-carriage rides from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (with boarding at Sixth Street and 10th Street).

Your favorite downtown restaurants will also be serving breakfast dinner, so throw on your pajamas and join the fun. Santa Claus himself may even stop in.

Free horse-drawn carriage rides will also be available along decorated downtown Asbury Avenue from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 21 and 22) with boarding at Sixth Street.

Photos with Santa can be taken in an OCBP lifeguard boat from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Ocean City Music Pier. He’ll visit with children from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at Mark Soifer Park (9th Street and Asbury Avenue).

Ready for the new year? All-inclusive admission buttons for Ocean City’s family-friendly First Night New Year’s Eve celebration are on sale now.

Tickets are available:

• Online: firstnightocnj.com
• By phone: 609-399-6111.
• At the City Hall Welcome Center at 861 Asbury Avenue (9th Street entrance): 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
• At the Roy Gillian Welcome Center (9th Street causeway): 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
• At the 46th Street Welcome Center (4500 block of West Avenue): 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday.

First Night offers more than 70 entertain programs at 20 different venues throughout town on Dec. 31. One $25 button is good for all programs.