Tracy J. Chappelle 
OCEAN CITY, NJ – A full schedule of activities has been announced for Ocean City’s First Night celebrations.
Ocean City’s popular New Years Eve event returns for the 29th time this year, and families across the region are ready to celebrate. First Night offers more than 70 entertainment programs in 20 different locations across the city.
After a series of entertainment and activities, a fireworks display will ring the New Year at midnight. The fun continues on New Years Day with a 5 kilometer run on the boardwalk and the first dip in the Atlantic Ocean.
The headliner of First Night 2022 is the Grammy-winning group Tavares. Tavares’ top hits include “It Only Takes A Minute”, “Heaven Must Miss An Angel”, “Don’t Take The Music With You” and “More Than A Woman”. Grammy-winning children’s artist Tim Kubart will be joined on stage for an interactive performance by his band, the Space Cadets.
Rides at Wonderland Pier will return this year, and other returning favorites include the ice rink, inflatables, Harlem Wizards, a karaoke night, magician Chad Juros, a Country Line Dance Experience, and the Legacy Band.
The Ocean City Arts Center will join in the fun this year with a social music listening activity called “Hear Here!”
Here’s a guide to first night and day one activities in Ocean City.
When: The First Night events run from 4:00 p.m. to midnight on Friday, December 31, 2021. The First Day 5K begins at 1:00 p.m. and the First Plunge takes place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 1, 2022.
Admission buttons: Buttons ($ 20) are good for all events. Children under 2 are free. The buttons are on sale now.
- Online: visit firstnightocnj.com.
- By phone: Dial 609-399-6111.
- At our Town Hall Visitor Center at 861 Asbury Avenue (9th Street entrance): 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (except 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christmas Eve, closed on Christmas Day. Christmas and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve).
- At the Roy Gillian Visitor Center (9th Street Pier): 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Thursday; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Christmas Eve, closed on Christmas Day; and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on New Year’s Day.
- At the 46th Street Visitor Center (4500 block from West Avenue): 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve. new Year’s Day.
Unlimited pickup will be available daily at the City Hall Visitor Center (Ninth Street Entrance). Badges sales and call pickup will take place at the Town Hall Visitor Center from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the day of the event (December 31).
Full schedule: The full schedule of events and activities and a printable grid are available at firstnightocnj.com. Descriptions of all entertainment programs are also available at firstnightocnj.com.
Parking and transportation: All municipal parking lots and parking spaces with parking meters are free. Jitneys will provide complimentary 5:00 PM – 12:30 AM transportation for button holders, operating continuously between all locations from the Ocean City Transportation Hub (Ninth Street and Haven Avenue) and Seventh Street Parking Lot (Seventh Street and Central Ave.). For a route map and full information, visit firstnightocnj.com.
Catering and shopping: Food and beverages will be on sale at Ocean City High School (Sack O ‘Subs), Wonderland Pier (6th Street Pizza and Grill), and the Ocean City Community Center (at the cafe) with snack stands at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church.
To start up: Everyone is invited to the Ocean City Music Pier at 3:45 p.m. for the official opening of the 2022 festivities.
Other fun activities: Stop at Music Pier to see the First Night ice sculpture. Interactive photo booths will be installed in the Ocean City High School cafeteria, community center and civic center.
FIRST DAY AT THE BEACH
Running on the promenade: A 5-kilometer race begins at 1 p.m. in front of the Ocean City Music Pier. Race day registration begins at 11 a.m. at the Music Pier in Moorlyn Terrace. Winter hats will be offered to all who pre-register and while supplies last. The race day registration fee is $ 35 ($ 25 if you register before December 24 and $ 30 if you register before December 30). For complete information, links to online registration and printable forms, visit www.ocnj.us/race-events.
First dive: The Ocean Plunge begins at 2 p.m. on the beach adjacent to the Music Pier (on the Eighth Street side). Participants must register inside the Music Pier before heading to the beach. Registration is free, but all participants must sign a waiver. The First Day At The Beach shirts will be on sale at Music Pier.
Extravagant shopping: There will be an all-day shopping extravaganza with discounts at Asbury Avenue stores and the 5th-14th Street promenade. Free horse-drawn carriage rides through downtown Asbury Avenue will be available from noon to 3 p.m. on January 1. Get on at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.
According to the latest CDC and state guidelines, face masks are highly recommended for both vaccinated and unvaccinated indoors. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available at all sites.
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