This is the first weekend of December and it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Ocean City, Maryland. It’s a great time to come: the beaches are quiet, the weather is nice, a chill is definitely in the air, but that works for some of the weekend’s activities.
Ocean City Christmas Parade– Dec 2
The 40th annual Ocean City Christmas Parade gets started 11 a.m. on Old Landing Road and marches northbound in the southbound lanes of Coastal Highway to the judges’ stand at 120th Street. The event will feature high school bands, antique cars, colorful holiday floats and more, so dress warmly, bring a blanket to sit on and enjoy!
Let’s Get Lit Shore Craft Beer (&Fun) Fest – Dec 2
The Let’s Get Lit Shore Craft Beer Fest is the place to be after the Ocean City Christmas parade. You will have time to get back to your house or hotel, warm up, and change into a well-lit outfit. The festival runs from 3-7 for VIPs – and the gifts are amazing! Dogfish Head sponsored the event so all VIPs get a special Dogfish Head stainless steel flask, a Dogfish Canned Cocktail koozie, and Dogfish Head bottle opener, and a ticket to Winterfest!
Pre-Party – Dec 1
General Admission tickets are also available. Both should be available at the door or at the pre-party at the View inside the Cambria Hotel. Buy tickets from 4 – 7 and get the wristband that lets you get discounts all over town all weekend, All ticket holders will get a tasting cup – commemorative stainless steel pint, the wristband, and all you care to drink beverages:
- Local Craft Beer
- Dogfish Head Canned Cocktails
- Twisted Tea
- Angry Orchard Hard Cider
- Mead/selter hybrid by Buzz Meadery,
- and more!
The cost at the door is $65 for VIPs and $40 for GAs, but you can save $10 with the code: “save10”. This coupon only works online, so get your tickets before you arrive for the party! There is a costume contest for the most “lit” and the first place winner will take home a 2 night stay at the Cambria and 2 tickets to the Shore Craft Beer Fest – Love on Tap festival at Seacrets on February 24. More details can be found online at https://www.shorecraftbeerfest.com/lets-get-lit.html
Winterfest OC – Until 12/31
This year, not only can you take a walk through the Winterfest of Lights, Ocean City is bringing back the Winterfest Express tram ride with multiple “trolly” stops to assist in making your way around the 58 acre Northside Park. This walking and tram event will take you through thousands of sparkling holiday lights and many animated light displays located along a paved path in Northside Park. Watch for photo opportunities– including several interactive displays. Come see the 50-foot Christmas tree put on a show for you and soak up all of the holiday spirit at Winterfest of Lights. And don’t worry, Santa will be still be here so you can say hello to him!
Holiday Open House at the Ocean City Life Saving Museum – Dec 3
Join the Ocean City Life Saving Museum for their annual Holiday Open House on Sunday, December 3rd, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Families and friends can tour the museum with FREE admission and take part in our lineup of festivities! Listen to Sea Shanties performed by the Jolly Tars from 11 – 5. You can get a mermaid signature on Tasha’s new book from 11:30 – 1:30, and you can “snack like a turfman.” There are even discounts in the museum store.
It’s a great weekend in Ocean City and what better place to get your holiday celebrations started?
