The holiday season at the Shore hits differently and this year, The Wildwoods is expanding its roster of fun winter events, and many are free.
The Holiday Kickoff takes place on November 23 at MudHen Brewing Company. The party will have music, a Crafts Corner for kids, a Gratitude Wall, face painting and a food drive (you get a free beer if you donate).
Start Thanksgiving at the TJ Hunt Memorial 5K Turkey Trot for a morning run. The weekend continues with the Family Holiday Beach Bonfire in North Wildwood. Christmas in North Wildwood has Santa himself taking part in photos, face painting, a scavenger hunt and more. The Wildwoods Holiday Shopping Village brings dozens of vendors to Byrne Plaza on November 30 to start your holiday shopping. On the night of December 1, visit Sunset Lake in Wildwood Crest for the holiday tree lighting ceremony.
The following weekend, both the Greater Wildwood Jaycees Christmas Parade and Santa Paws pet parade bring floats and marchers to North Wildwood. The Holidays at HenVille: Shopping Village takes place December 1, 8, 15 and 22 at MudHen Brewing Company. Each Sunday includes hot cocoa, s’mores stations, caricatures, face painting, and live music in the Biergarten. Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit on December 8, 15 and 22.
The Downtown Wildwood Christmas in the Plaza entertainment event fills Byrne Plaza, while Christmas tree lightings are planned in Byrne Plaza and at the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse.
December 6 is the MudHen White Christmas Party at The Station House, with live music by Don’t Call Me Francis, circus performances, special adult face painting, and exclusive White Christmas cocktails. December 7 is the Wildwood Holiday Spectacular Concert featuring The Skyliners, The Tymes, Tommy Cono and Wildwood’s own Joey M; plus a separate event called Santa Paws where your dressed up, 4-legged friends can get treats and photo ops at participating locations along a planned doggie walk route.
December 13-15 weekend features the Wildwood Winter Wonderland at Holly Beach Park, which includes a holiday lights show (which also takes place December 20-21); and the Family Holiday Celebration at the Wildwoods Convention Center, with family-friendly activities, entertainment and shopping. December 14 is the 12 Pubs of Christmas, with happy hour pricing at certain bars around town (free jitney shuttle service will be available.
If you like to take your time strolling, plan for the Wildwood Crest Holiday Lights Walk; if you prefer a faster pace, sign up for the Pinch the “GrYnch” Boardwalk 5K Run (note: there is a registration fee, plus it’s a toy drive).
Another tradition to round out the holiday season is The Boardwalk Basketball Classic from December 26 to 31. The largest holiday co-ed basketball tournament in the country has a lineup of high school boys’ and girls’ basketball teams from the South Jersey and Delaware Valley areas – about 1,000 athletes!
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