Thousands Flock to First Night in Ocean City

Ocean City's annual First Night celebration attracted thousands of visitors on a cold Tuesday night.

Families packed 18 different venues to take in more than 60 different entertainment programs during Ocean City's 22nd annual First Night, a nonalcoholic New Year's Eve celebration.

Event organizers had sold more than 8,000 all-inclusive admission buttons by Tuesday afternoon, according to Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michele Gillian. But sales continued into the evening.

Check out the video above for a sampling of the First Night entertainment, which started at 4 p.m. and continued through fireworks at midnight. See the complete First Night schedule. 

Gillian said she was pleased with the success of new attractions — including an ice-skating rink set up near the Ocean City Sports and Civic Center on Sixth Street, inflatables and rides on the nearby football field at Ocean City High School and movies at the new Moorlyn Family Theatre on the boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace. 

Traditional favorites such as the "Lucky Guess Game Show" at the Ocean City Free Public Library and the Ocean City Pops performing at the Ocean City Tabernacle returned to the First Night lineup. Headline entertainment at the Ocean City Music Pier included the Original Blue Notes and the Trammps.

Ocean City's New Year's celebration continues on Tuesday with First Day festivities, including a 5K boardwalk run and the annual First Plunge polar bear swim. See our Guide to First Night and First Day in Ocean City.