CHRISTMAS AT THE JERSEY CAPE:
Dreaming of a coastal Christmas? It’s never too early to plan your holiday escape to the magical Jersey Cape! Starting November 21, the festive spirit arrives in full swing across your favorite seaside towns—from Cape May, the nation’s oldest beach resort, to Ocean City’s iconic First Night celebration. Even Santa himself squeezes in a getaway to enjoy the season’s charm in Cape May, The Wildwoods, Stone Harbor, Avalon, Sea Isle City, and Ocean City. Each town sparkles with unique holiday events, lights, and traditions that bring the warmth of the holidays right to the shoreline. Browse the festive lineup and make your plans now for a coastal holiday celebration you won’t forget!
CAPE MAY’S HOLIDAY SEASON: Cape May. Six weeks (Nov. 21-Jan. 1, 2026). The holidays arrive early in the seaside town of Cape May, where gingerbread trim, glowing gaslights, and warm Victorian charm set the scene for six weeks of festive magic. From the first frosty sip of wassail to the last twinkle of candlelight tours, the town transforms into a nostalgic winter wonderland. Step inside history at the lavishly adorned Emlen Physick Estate, resplendent with 1890s Victorian holiday décor. Ride on themed Holiday Trolley Tours, including Santa Trolley Rides, Holiday Lights Trolley Rides, Ghosts of Christmas Past Rides, Lamplighter Christmas Tours. Celebrate literature and tradition with a Dickens Christmas Extravaganza, Sip tea with Mrs. Claus, or explore dozens of dazzling homes during the beloved Christmas Candlelight House Tours (Dec. 6, 13, and 20). Browse seasonal craft fairs, indulge in food and wine events, and discover how Victorians celebrated the season. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278. www.capemaymac.org
EARLIER THAN THE BIRD” DOWNTOWN SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA: Nov. 22: Ocean City. Why wait for the turkey to gobble when the bargains are already sizzling? Get a jump on the season’s cheer and hit the shops before the Thanksgiving rush. Rise and shop even before the birds chirp. Pajama power: Slip into something cozy and score exclusive early bird specials. Find gifts, treats, and surprises for everyone on your list without the hectic holiday crowds. Whether you're a deal seeker or just love shopping in fuzzy slippers, this weekend is all about festive finds and feel-good vibes. 8am to Noon. www.oceancityvacation.com
FREE HORSE AND CARRIAGE RIDES THROUGH DOWNTOWN: Nov. 22, 28-30, Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21: Ocean City. Noon to 3 p.m. 6th & Asbury Ave. The Asbury shopping district becomes a “Miracle on Asbury Avenue.” Experience the enchantment of the season in the heart of the Asbury shopping district, where holiday magic comes to life! Stroll through charming, festively decorated shops offering special holiday promotions and unique gifts. Enjoy the timeless delight of free horse and carriage rides through the sparkling downtown streets. Capture the joy of the season with photos with Santa Claus. Discover even more seasonal surprises and celebrations designed to warm hearts and fill shopping bags.For more information call 800-BEACH-NJ. www.oceancityvacation.com
ISLAND HOLIDAY WEEKEND & CHRISTMAS PARADE: Nov. 28-29: Stone Harbor. Holiday Market & Carousel, Water Tower Lot 11 am – 5 pm. On Friday – Pet Parade, 200 block 96th Street, 1 pm. Tree Lighting, 200 block 96th Street, 6pm. Hospitality Night, business district, 6 pm – 9 pm. On Saturday – Downtown Dash, 96th Street 10 am and Christmas Parade. 6:30pm. www.SHNJ.org or www.StoneHarborChamber.com
FESTIVE FRIDAY: Nov. 28: Avalon. Thanksgiving is over, now it’s time to get festive! Stroll Dune Drive while shopping in the many stores and boutiques and enjoy live music and children’s performances throughout the day. www.visitavalonnj.com
SNOWFEST SATURDAY: Nov. 29: Avalon. Throughout the shopping district in Avalon. Make plans to return to Avalon through Saturday for great shopping specials and more live music, performances, and children’s activities throughout town. www.visitavalonnj.com
MAYOR’S TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY & SANTA’s ARRIVAL: Nov. 29: Sea Isle City. Santa Claus is coming to town! Kick-off the holiday season with the tree lighting ceremony and holiday festivities and Santa’s arrival at Excursion Park at 41st St. in Sea Isle City beginning at 6:30pm. Holiday events in December in Sea Isle City include Santa’s Calling, a House Lighting Contest and New Year’s Eve fireworks. www.visitsicnj.com
WILDWOODS HOLIDAY SHOPPING VILLAGE: Nov. 29: Wildwood. 10:30 - 3:30pm. A completely outdoor shopping experience. Byrne Plaza at 3400 Pacific Ave. will be transformed into a holiday shopping village with live entertainment and music, raffles and more. Dozens of local small business vendors will be on hand for you to purchase the perfect holiday gift. Start a new tradition and bring the family to this unique outdoor shopping event featuring local artisans specializing in jewelry, handcrafted items, holiday decorations, baked goods, boutique shops, gifts and more. Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce at 609-729-4000. www.wildwoods.com
CHRISTMAS AT THE HANGAR: Nov. 29. Naval Air Station Wildwood. Cape May County Airport. 10am - 4pm. A free community event open to all. Enjoy free cookies and hot chocolate and get pictures taken with Santa Clause, enjoy Live Music, Face Painting, and explore a festive Historic Hangar #1. www.usnasw.org
FAMILY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION & TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY: Dec. 13. Wildwood. Enjoy a family-friendly event at the Wildwoods Convention Center from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. featuring FREE admission to holiday-themed crafters and movies, photos with Santa, choir performances, a children’s craft making table, a magician, face painting, dance performances, Story Time with Mrs. Claus and much more! At 4:30pm there will be a tree lighting ceremony. For more information call 609-729-9000 or www.WildwoodHoliday.com for a detailed schedule of events.
CAPE MAY’S HOLIDAY SEASON: Cape May. Six weeks (Nov. 21-Jan. 1, 2026). The holidays arrive early in the seaside town of Cape May, where gingerbread trim, glowing gaslights, and warm Victorian charm set the scene for six weeks of festive magic. From the first frosty sip of wassail to the last twinkle of candlelight tours, the town transforms into a nostalgic winter wonderland. Step inside history at the lavishly adorned Emlen Physick Estate, resplendent with 1890s Victorian holiday décor. Ride on themed Holiday Trolley Tours, including Santa Trolley Rides, Holiday Lights Trolley Rides, Ghosts of Christmas Past Rides, Lamplighter Christmas Tours. Celebrate literature and tradition with a Dickens Christmas Extravaganza, Sip tea with Mrs. Claus, or explore dozens of dazzling homes during the beloved Christmas Candlelight House Tours (Dec. 6, 13, and 20). Browse seasonal craft fairs, indulge in food and wine events, and discover how Victorians celebrated the season. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278. www.capemaymac.org
EARLIER THAN THE BIRD” DOWNTOWN SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA: Nov. 22: Ocean City. Why wait for the turkey to gobble when the bargains are already sizzling? Get a jump on the season’s cheer and hit the shops before the Thanksgiving rush. Rise and shop even before the birds chirp. Pajama power: Slip into something cozy and score exclusive early bird specials. Find gifts, treats, and surprises for everyone on your list without the hectic holiday crowds. Whether you're a deal seeker or just love shopping in fuzzy slippers, this weekend is all about festive finds and feel-good vibes. 8am to Noon. www.oceancityvacation.com
FREE HORSE AND CARRIAGE RIDES THROUGH DOWNTOWN: Nov. 22, 28-30, Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21: Ocean City. Noon to 3 p.m. 6th & Asbury Ave. The Asbury shopping district becomes a “Miracle on Asbury Avenue.” Experience the enchantment of the season in the heart of the Asbury shopping district, where holiday magic comes to life! Stroll through charming, festively decorated shops offering special holiday promotions and unique gifts. Enjoy the timeless delight of free horse and carriage rides through the sparkling downtown streets. Capture the joy of the season with photos with Santa Claus. Discover even more seasonal surprises and celebrations designed to warm hearts and fill shopping bags.For more information call 800-BEACH-NJ. www.oceancityvacation.com
ISLAND HOLIDAY WEEKEND & CHRISTMAS PARADE: Nov. 28-29: Stone Harbor. Holiday Market & Carousel, Water Tower Lot 11 am – 5 pm. On Friday – Pet Parade, 200 block 96th Street, 1 pm. Tree Lighting, 200 block 96th Street, 6pm. Hospitality Night, business district, 6 pm – 9 pm. On Saturday – Downtown Dash, 96th Street 10 am and Christmas Parade. 6:30pm. www.SHNJ.org or www.StoneHarborChamber.com
FESTIVE FRIDAY: Nov. 28: Avalon. Thanksgiving is over, now it’s time to get festive! Stroll Dune Drive while shopping in the many stores and boutiques and enjoy live music and children’s performances throughout the day. www.visitavalonnj.com
SNOWFEST SATURDAY: Nov. 29: Avalon. Throughout the shopping district in Avalon. Make plans to return to Avalon through Saturday for great shopping specials and more live music, performances, and children’s activities throughout town. www.visitavalonnj.com
MAYOR’S TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY & SANTA’s ARRIVAL: Nov. 29: Sea Isle City. Santa Claus is coming to town! Kick-off the holiday season with the tree lighting ceremony and holiday festivities and Santa’s arrival at Excursion Park at 41st St. in Sea Isle City beginning at 6:30pm. Holiday events in December in Sea Isle City include Santa’s Calling, a House Lighting Contest and New Year’s Eve fireworks. www.visitsicnj.com
WILDWOODS HOLIDAY SHOPPING VILLAGE: Nov. 29: Wildwood. 10:30 - 3:30pm. A completely outdoor shopping experience. Byrne Plaza at 3400 Pacific Ave. will be transformed into a holiday shopping village with live entertainment and music, raffles and more. Dozens of local small business vendors will be on hand for you to purchase the perfect holiday gift. Start a new tradition and bring the family to this unique outdoor shopping event featuring local artisans specializing in jewelry, handcrafted items, holiday decorations, baked goods, boutique shops, gifts and more. Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce at 609-729-4000. www.wildwoods.com
CHRISTMAS AT THE HANGAR: Nov. 29. Naval Air Station Wildwood. Cape May County Airport. 10am - 4pm. A free community event open to all. Enjoy free cookies and hot chocolate and get pictures taken with Santa Clause, enjoy Live Music, Face Painting, and explore a festive Historic Hangar #1. www.usnasw.org
FAMILY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION & TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY: Dec. 13. Wildwood. Enjoy a family-friendly event at the Wildwoods Convention Center from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. featuring FREE admission to holiday-themed crafters and movies, photos with Santa, choir performances, a children’s craft making table, a magician, face painting, dance performances, Story Time with Mrs. Claus and much more! At 4:30pm there will be a tree lighting ceremony. For more information call 609-729-9000 or www.WildwoodHoliday.com for a detailed schedule of events.
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800-227-2297
Interested in advertising with us?
Find out why advertising in the Vacationer is so different from your other choices.
Rate Card here
Contact our sales staff here