Thanksgiving Weekend in OC: Turkey Trot, Santa, Pops

The Ocean City Boardwalk looking north at 9th St.

Photo: Dough4872, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A Boardwalk 5K, Santa's arrival downtown, carriage rides and the Ocean City Pops fill the long weekend from Nov. 26 to 29.

The short version

Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest of the off-season in Ocean City. Here's the lineup.

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Thursday, Nov. 26: Fast & Furriest 5K Turkey Trot

The Humane Society of Ocean City's annual race on the Boardwalk. There's a timed 5K run, an untimed 5K walk and a 1-mile kids fun run for ages 14 and under. All three start at 8:30 a.m., according to the race's registration page. The 5K costs $35 and the kids run $20, plus sign-up fees. Registration closes Nov. 22 at 11:59 p.m. at runsignup.com.

Friday, Nov. 27: Christmas in the Downtown

"Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue" runs from 2 to 5 p.m. Downtown merchants and the Chamber kick off an old-fashioned Christmas, and Santa arrives at 5 p.m.

Friday to Sunday, Nov. 27 to 29: Horse and Carriage Rides

Noon to 3 p.m., at 9th and Asbury, in front of City Hall.

Saturday, Nov. 28: Holidays with the Ocean City Pops

The orchestra plays classic Christmas songs and modern hits, led by conductor Vince Lee with the Ocean City Pops Festival Chorus. There are shows at 2 and 6 p.m. at the Music Pier. Tickets are sold at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, at any Welcome Center or by calling 609-399-6111. The city says to buy early.

Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 28 and 29: Santa

Santa in the Downtown, 9 to 11 a.m., at Soifer Park.
Photos with Santa, noon to 3 p.m., at the Music Pier.

Tips

Downtown parking fills up on Friday and Saturday afternoons, so plan to arrive early or walk. Pops tickets tend to go fast, so buy ahead if you want the evening show. Check the city's calendar for any updates before you head out.

It's a great weekend to show family around town.

Most of these events are free, so it's an easy way to keep everyone busy after the big meal.

SourcesCity of Ocean City 2026 Calendar of Events. Read the original.
Fast & Furriest 5K registration. Read the original.
OC Pops tickets. Read the original.
Details can change; check the source for official dates and decisions.

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Photo: Dough4872, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Ocean City Boardwalk looking north at 9th St.. Source; licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped. This post summarizes public information for convenience. It isn't official notice; please rely on the original source for dates, rules and decisions. Jim Murray, REALTOR® · Keller Williams Jersey Shore · Each office independently owned and operated.