Holiday Events in the Wildwoods
Press Release
Escape the hustle and bustle of the season and head to the Wildwoods for the holidays. With shopping, hotel deals and holiday events, the Wildwoods are the perfect destination to make your season even brighter.
Enjoy the Friday, December 11 annual holiday parade from the window seat of one of the restaurants along Pacific Avenue; or come any day to explore the beautifully lit downtown businesses competing in the sixth annual Downtown Business Holiday Decorating Contest, presented by the Greater Wildwood Jaycees and the Wildwood Business Improvement District.
Many shops selling unique gift and food items – some of which can only be found in the Wildwoods – will be open through the holiday shopping season to help you find that one-of-a-kind gift. And no holiday is complete without fudge and salt water taffy from one of our many delicious fudge shops; purchase a gift package that can be shipped anywhere in the country where such shore treasures are hard to find.
A number of hotels and motels are offering their lowest rates of the year; why not head to the Wildwoods to enjoy the serenity of winter sunsets and wistful waves along the shore?
The Wildwoods are also hosting plenty of fun holiday events that are perfect for the whole family:
Partners in Preservation Holiday Tour – Friday, December 2
Partners in Preservation presents a holiday tour consisting of local bed and breakfasts, churches, homes, and the Wildwood Historical Museum. A $10 donation will be collected at the first establishment visited. The tour is self-guided from 6:30 – 9 p.m. and entry to the museum is FREE! For more information call 609-214-2253 or visit www.WildwoodNJHistory.com.
The Greater Wildwood Jaycees Christmas Parade – Friday, December 9
Watch a festive line-up of floats, fire trucks and other creatively decorated vehicles parade down the streets of the Wildwoods accompanied by Santa himself. Registration begins at 5 p.m. at the North Wildwood Recreation Center (10th & Central Avenues); lineup begins at 5:30 p.m.; and the parade steps off at 6 p.m. at 16th & Central Avenues then continues South on Pacific Avenue through Wildwood to Heather Road in Wildwood Crest, then North on Ocean Avenue ending at the Wildwoods Convention Center.
There will be a tree lighting ceremony in front of the Wildwoods Convention Center immediately following the Parade at 7:15 p.m. with parade awards presented inside the Wildwoods Convention Center at 7:30 p.m. Parade trophies will be awarded to the following categories: Commercial, Community Service, Marching Band and Public Service.
The rain date for the parade is Sunday, December 11 with lineup at 4:30 p.m. and the parade stepping off at 5 p.m. If weather is uncertain, listen to 98.7 The Coast. For the most up-to-date information on the parade – including a map, how to register your vehicle for the parade or to see a list of winners from last year’s parade – please visit www.WildwoodHoliday.com.
Wildwoods Convention Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Shopping Bazaar – Friday, December 9
The festivities at the Wildwoods Convention Center kick off at 6 p.m. with the opening of the Holiday Shopping Bazaar featuring holiday-themed crafters offering unique, one-of-a-kind gift items. The tree lighting ceremony will take place in front of the Convention Center at 7:15 p.m. with the Jaycees Christmas Parade Awards immediately following inside the Convention Center.
Wildwoods Family Holiday Celebration – Saturday, December 10
The Wildwoods Family Holiday Celebration will take place from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. inside the Wildwoods Convention Center featuring a full day of holiday shopping, children’s crafts and face painting, local school children’s choruses and band performances, music, gymnastics performances, a magician, FREE holiday movies and a special visit from Santa Claus.
Saturday’s exciting and fun-filled entertainment schedule for the Family Holiday Celebration is as follows:
9 a.m. – Margaret Mace Choir
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Face Painters
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Shopping Bazaar, Children’s Craft Making Table, Free Holiday Movies and Stocking Making Table
9:30 a.m. – Cape Trinity Catholic Choir
10 a.m. – Art of Gymnastics & Cheer
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Balloon Twisting
10:30 a.m. – Wildwood Catholic High School
11 a.m. – Santa Claus Arrives
11:30 a.m. – Magician Ken Northridge
12:30 p.m. – Glenwood Choir
12:50 p.m. – Wildwood Middle School Choir
1:10 p.m. – Wildwood High School Choir
1:30 p.m. – Avalon String Band
2:30 p.m. – Crest Memorial School
You can also grab a seat and enjoy FREE holiday movie classics! The movie schedule is as follows:
Meeting Room 3
9:30 a.m. – Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
10:30 a.m. – Frosty the Snowman
11:30 a.m. – Santa Claus is Coming to Town
12:30 p.m. – Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol
1:30 p.m. – How the Grinch Stole Christmas (cartoon version)
2 p.m. – A Charlie Brown Christmas
2:30 p.m. – Polar Express (G)
For more information about the Wildwoods Family Holiday Celebration, call 609-729-9000 or visit www.WildwoodHoliday.com.
‘Pinch the GrYnch’ Boardwalk 5K Run – Saturday, December 10
This holiday boardwalk 5K run and 1 mile walk is fun for all ages! Event starts at 10 a.m. – rain or shine – with registration at 9 a.m. inside the Wildwoods Convention Center. Participants are encouraged to dress in festive holiday outfits. The race route will run south on the Wildwoods Boardwalk to Cresse Avenue, make a turn around and head north to 21st Street. Another turn will lead runners back to the Convention Center where refreshments will be served and prizes awarded. Runners and walkers along with their cheering sections can then enjoy the Holiday Bazaar held inside the Convention Center. Registration is $30 per person or $15 if you donate a new, unwrapped toy for local children in need. For more information, call 609-849-8887 or visit www.LunchWithLynch.com/pinch.
Don’t miss your chance to take part in these fun-filled holiday events! Book your stay now and start a family tradition by sharing the holiday season with your loved ones in the Wildwoods.
For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.