Ocean City Plans a Small-Town Version of Black Friday

Downtown Ocean City will offer an alternative to the mayhem of the big box stores on "Black Friday" as it celebrates an  on Asbury Avenue between Sixth and 11th streets.

The festivities begin at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, and include Christmas caroling, free horse-and-carriage rides (from outside City Hall), music and entertainment, shopping and dining specials.

Santa Claus will pose for free photos with shoppers in an Ocean City Beach Patrol surfboat from 2 to 4 p.m. The Phillie Phanatic will visit from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

At 5 p.m, the Christmas tree at City Hall will be lit, and Santa will arrive the same way he will on Dec. 25 — appearing on the roof of City Hall and descending with the assistance of a Fire Department ladder truck.

Downtown shopkeepers will feature specials and restaurants will be open, some offering free refreshments.

The event is sponsored by the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Ocean City Retail Merchants Association, Main Street Ocean City and the City of Ocean City. For information, call the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce at 609-399-1412 or Ocean City Public Relation at 609-525-9300.

The Old-Fashioned Christmas continues a series of holiday events that also include:

: The annual parade starts 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, and runs down Asbury Avenue from Sixth to 11th streets. It will include floats, bands and, of course, Santa Claus.

Every Weekend through Dec. 18: Free horse and carriage rides (noon to 3 p.m. at Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue) and free photos with Santa in an OCBP surfboat (noon to 3 p.m. at the). Free face-painting and balloon artists will be available along Asbury Avenue noon to 3 p.m. every Saturday through Dec. 17.

Hospitality Nights: New this year, the downtown will offer Friday evening Hospitality Nights 5 to 8 p.m. from Dec. 2 through Dec. 23. The evenings include shopping specials, entertainment, free horse and carriage rides, Santa and more.

Breakfast with Santa: Santa will travel to different downtown restaurants 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. weekends through Dec. 24. Call 609-398-4662 or visit the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce's events calendar for a schedule.

First Night New Year's Eve Celebration: Ocean City's annual family celebration includes more than 70 entertainment shows at 16 different venues on Dec. 31. The evening ends with fireworks at midnight. .