Ocean City Sets Fall Block Party, More In October

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City is lining up a full October calendar, led by the Fall Block Party from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, along a mile of downtown Asbury Avenue.

More than 400 crafters, food vendors and entertainers will line Asbury Avenue between Fifth Street and 14th Street for the annual event, according to the city’s event announcement.

The city said the celebration helps draw tens of thousands of people to Ocean City in the fall. Entertainers and bands will perform at spots along the avenue between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., including the Robert Boney Band at 7th Street, the Pennsport String Band at 13th Street and Big Daddy at 14th Street. Pony rides for children will be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ocean City Tabernacle at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.

Parking will be free at all municipal lots and metered spaces in the city during the event. The weekend also includes table sales by downtown and boardwalk merchants with discounted merchandise between Sixth Street and 14th Street on the boardwalk and Asbury Avenue throughout the weekend.

The October schedule continues Sunday, Oct. 11, with the 19th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of OCNJ. The event starts at 8:30 a.m., and the walk begins at 10:30 a.m. Organizers expect more than 5,000 walkers, according to the announcement.

Also on Sunday, the Spooks N’ Kooks Costume Surf Contest is set for 10 a.m. at Seventh Street Beach. The event includes categories for groms, open adults and tandem. The entry fee is a $20 gift card to ShopRite, ACME or Aldi, and proceeds benefit the Ocean City Food Cupboard. The no-wave date is Tuesday, Oct. 13.

The Ocean City Theatre Company also is presenting “A Grand Night for Singing” at the Ocean City Music Pier. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 9, 10, 16 and 17, and 2 p.m. Oct. 11 and 18. The revue features songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals including “Oklahoma!,” “Carousel,” “South Pacific,” “The King and I” and “The Sound of Music.”

Before the weekend, the Ocean City Fire Department and IAFF Local 4032 will host their annual open house from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, at 550 Asbury Avenue. The free event will include fire safety demonstrations, a helicopter landing, an Atlantic City Electric demonstration, face-painting, food, drinks and educational handouts.

Other events later in the month include the Porsche Boardwalk Reunion on Oct. 17, the John R. Elliott HERO Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run on Oct. 18, Dog Days on Oct. 24 and 25, the HSOC “Howl-O-Ween” Parade and Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep on Oct. 24, a Halloween Costume Skate that same day, the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce’s Welcome Night on Oct. 28 and the Halloween Parade on Oct. 29.