Enjoy all the events, festivals and family fun the Wildwoods have to offer during the 2023 Holiday Season! Event details are subject to change. Check individual event websites for the most up to date details.
Island Wide Holiday Fun!
Check out these 2023 events that the entire family will enjoy…
Holiday Jumpstart Makers Market – New!
Nov. 18-19
Wildwoods Convention Center, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday & Sunday, Come visit over 30 of the best artisan vendors of the Jersey Shore for two days of holiday fun! Enjoy FREE face painting on Saturday! Pictures with Santa are available on Sunday! This is the perfect weekend to get the holidays started and get that holiday shopping underway! For more information malloryseats.com
Family Holiday Beach Bonfire
Nov. 24
1st & Surf Ave., North Wildwood. 5 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Enjoy family fun including music and free photo ops with Santa and other winter wonderland characters from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Donation: $10 adults, $2 children 12 & under. Hosted by North Wildwood Volunteer Fire Company #1. Rain date November 25.
Christmas in North Wildwood – FREE
Nov. 24 – 26
Olde New Jersey Ave., 200 block of West 10th Ave., 100 block of East 17th Ave., & more! Friday & Saturday from 2:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon November 24 – 26, 2023. Enjoy a scavenger hunt with prizes, free jitney on Saturday, outdoor firepits, strolling Santa, hot chocolate, festive lights, decorations, and music while enjoying the holidays in North Wildwood!! More information regarding weekend activities will be posted here.
Wildwoods Holiday Shopping Village/Small Business Saturday – FREE
Nov. 25
Byrne Plaza and Downtown Wildwood. 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce presents the 4th Annual Wildwoods Holiday Shopping Village… a completely outdoor shopping experience. Experience Small Business Saturday like never before. Local small business vendors will be on hand for you to purchase the perfect holiday gift! Local artisans, jewelry, specialty shops, handcrafted items, holiday decorations, baked goods, boutique shops, gifts, holiday music, & more. This event will also serve as a gift drop location for The Lynch Who Stole Christmas From The GrYnch Program. For more information 609.729.4000 or follow us on Facebook @Wildwoods Holiday Shopping Village
Elks Window Decorating Contest – FREE
Nov 27. – Jan. 1
4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood. Walk or bike by the Wildwoods Convention Center windows to view the creative and festive holiday designs painted by local students.
Wildwood Crest Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony – FREE
Dec. 1
Sunset Lake, Wildwood Crest. 5:00 p.m. Tree lighting ceremony to kick off the Christmas season in the borough. Music, light refreshments, visit from Santa Claus, and more! For more information 609.523.0202 or wildwoodcrest.org
Greater Wildwood Jaycees Christmas Parade – FREE Cancelled
Dec. 1
Parade registration/check-in begins at 5 p.m. at the North Wildwood Recreation Center, 10th and Central Avenues. Parade lines up along Central Avenue and steps off 16th Avenue at 6:30 p.m. proceeding along Central Avenue, then Pacific Avenue to Spicer Avenue where the parade will turn and proceed to Byrne Plaza. Awards will be announced for floats and decorated business lighting contest at approximately 7:30 p.m. in Byrne Plaza. (Rain date December 3 line-up at 4 p.m. step off at 5 p.m. NO RAIN DATE) For more information 609.729.5501.
Wildwood Business Improvement District Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony – FREE Cancelled
Dec. 1
Byrne Plaza, Downtown Wildwood. Approximately 8:00 p.m. For more information 609.729.5501.
Greater Wildwood Jaycees Downtown Wildwood Christmas in the Plaza – FREE
Dec. 1 – 2
Due to the weather forecast, the Greater Wildwood Jaycees Christmas Parade, awards, tree lighting, and Christmas in the Plaza event have been canceled for December 1. Join us tomorrow, Saturday, December 2, for Christmas in the Plaza as planned.
Byrne Plaza, Downtown Wildwood. Enjoy free carnival rides and vendors from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Friday and from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Live music by the John Walter Band and don’t miss story time with Mrs. Claus! For more information 609.729.5501.
North Wildwood Tree Lighting Ceremony – FREE
Dec. 2
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Courtyard, North Wildwood. 4:30 p.m. Christmas tree lighting event includes music, refreshments, self-guided tour of the lighthouse, and Santa Claus! For more information 609.522.2955 or NorthWildwood.com
Holidays at HenVille: Shopping Village – FREE
Dec. 3
127 W. Rio Grande Ave., Wildwood. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Come wrap up your holiday shopping with a bow at our annual Shopping Village at MudHen Brewing Company. Enjoy entertainment for the entire family! Make sure to visit all of our wonderful vendors in the parking lot and finish that list! Live music by Ed McLaughlin 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. For more information 609.522.0159 x110 or mudhenbrew.com
Wildwood’s Winter Wonderland at Holly Beach Park – FREE
Dec. 8 – 9
123 E. Andrews Avenue, Wildwood. Enjoy Wildwood’s very own Winter Wonderland at Holly Beach Park. The special light shows will run every twenty minutes from 5-9 p.m. on December 8-9 and December 15-16. Bring the family and enjoy the light show with complimentary hot chocolate, popcorn, letter writing to Santa, and a visit from Mr. & Mrs. Claus. Light show and decorations will be on display nightly from 6:30–7 p.m. December 10 – 14, and December 17 through January 1. For more information about this event please call 609.522.5837 or click here.
Family Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting Ceremony – FREE
Dec. 9
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood. Enjoy a family-friendly event at the Wildwoods Convention Center from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. featuring FREE admission to holiday-themed crafters and movies, photos with Santa, children’s craft making table, a magician, face painting, entertainment, performances by the Avalon String Band and much more! At 4:30 pm there will be a tree lighting ceremony. 609.729.9000 or Wildwoodsnj.com
Pinch the ‘GrYnch’ Boardwalk 5K Run
Dec. 9
This holiday boardwalk 5K run and 1 mile walk is fun for all ages! Event starts at 10 a.m. – rain or shine. Participants are asked to register on-line for $30 or $20 if you donate a new, unwrapped toy for local children in need. Participants are encouraged to dress in festive holiday outfits! The race will start at the Wildwoods Convention Center and proceed North on the Boardwalk. Runners will turn around before the construction area and continue on the bike path and loop back to the Convention Center. 609.849.8887 or runsignup.com/pinchthegrynch
Holidays at HenVille: Shopping Village – FREE
Dec. 10
127 W. Rio Grande Ave., Wildwood. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Come wrap up your holiday shopping with a bow at our annual Shopping Village at MudHen Brewing Company. Enjoy entertainment for the entire family! Make sure to visit all of our wonderful vendors in the parking lot and finish that list! Live music by Brian & Mindy 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. For more information 609.522.0159 x110 or mudhenbrew.com
Holiday Tree Jubilee – New!
Dec. 10
Crest Arts Pavilion, 6301 Ocean Ave., Wildwood Crest, 12 noon-2 p.m. View and vote on a mini holiday tree-decorating contest! Decorate ornaments for the Crest beach tree! Don’t miss a visit from Santa! Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies! Bring a unwrapped gift for Lunch With Lynch Toy Drive and meet with featured artist Dorothy Kulisek! $15 to enter mini holiday-tree decorating contest! For more information click here, 609.522.0221 or [email protected]
Wildwood’s Winter Wonderland at Holly Beach Park – FREE
Dec. 15 – 16
123 E. Andrews Avenue, Wildwood. Enjoy Wildwood’s very own Winter Wonderland at Holly Beach Park. The special light shows will run every twenty minutes from 5-9 p.m. on December 8-9 and December 15-16. Bring the family and enjoy the light show with complimentary hot chocolate, popcorn, letter writing to Santa, and a visit from Mr. & Mrs. Claus. Light show and decorations will be on display nightly from 6:30–7 p.m. December 10 – 14, and December 17 through January 1. For more information call 609.522.5837 or click here.
Santa Paws – FREE
Dec. 16
North Wildwood Entertainment District, Olde New Jersey Avenue. The North Wildwood Business Owners Association presents Santa Paws on December 16, 2023! Come out and enjoy doggie treats and photo ops at participating establishments along the route. The walk begins at 1 p.m. at The Surfing Pig, and then proceeds to Anglesea Pub, Keenan’s Irish Pub, and finishes at the Inlet On Olde. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes! For more information visit NWBOA.
Holidays at HenVille: Shopping Village – FREE
Dec. 16
127 W. Rio Grande Ave., Wildwood. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Come wrap up your holiday shopping with a bow at our annual Shopping Village at MudHen Brewing Company. Enjoy entertainment for the entire family! Make sure to visit all of our wonderful vendors in the parking lot and finish that list! For more information 609.522.0159 x110 or mudhenbrew.com
Holiday Lights Walk – FREE
Dec. 19 – Rescheduled
Sunset Lake, Wildwood Crest 5:30 pm. Sponsored by the Wildwood Crest Mayor’s Wellness Campaign and the Wildwood Crest Recreation Department. Walkers will meet at the corner of Rambler Road and New Jersey Avenue and will take an approximately 30-minute walk along Sunset Lake and the surrounding neighborhood to view the various holiday and Christmas light displays. The Holiday Lights Walk is free but registration is encouraged. Those interested are asked to send an email to [email protected]. Walkers should wear warm clothes and bring a flashlight. All participants will receive a small holiday gift. Rain/inclement weather date for the event is Tuesday, December 19, at 5:30 p.m. For more information 609.523.0202.