By MediaWize, OCNJDAILY

Heading into the holidays, Ocean City will host a full calendar of special family events through the end of the year.

The celebrations begin along downtown Asbury Avenue on Saturday, Nov. 18, for the Earlier Than the Bird extravaganza. The annual event features shoppers dressed in pajamas. It will take place 8 a.m. to noon on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Anybody (pajama-clad or not) can take advantage of early-bird shopping specials at stores on Asbury Avenue between Sixth Street and 14th Street and win special gifts and prizes.

Free horse-and-carriage rides will be available that day from noon to 3 p.m.  The same free service will then be available noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 25 through Dec. 23. It’s a chance to ride the downtown the old-fashioned. Riders board the carriages at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.

In a new event this year, the downtown will be celebrating “Festive Fridays.” The fun will start on Nov. 24 with Ocean City’s traditional Christmas in the Downtown – “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue.” This Black Friday event includes shopping, horse-and-carriage rides, street entertainment, carolers, and visits with Santa. The event will culminate around 5 p.m. when Santa Claus will emerge on the rooftop of City Hall. With the help of an Ocean City Fire Department ladder truck, Santa will descend and help light the Christmas Tree and illuminate City Hall.

Festive Fridays will continue on Dec. 1 with the annual Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. on Asbury Avenue from 6th Street to 11th Street. Festive Fridays will then continue on Dec. 8, 15 and 22 with shopping, carolers, and free horse-and-carriage rides from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Old-fashioned carriage rides will add to the festive spirit of the holiday season.

Here is a list of other upcoming events:

The “First Dip” celebration in the chilly ocean is one of the wackiest New Year’s Day rituals at the Jersey Shore.

Source: www.ocnjdaily.com