Children & family
Ocean City Christmas Parade
Free 43rd annual Christmas Parade—floats, bands, Santa; curbside viewing only; traffic controls from early morning; post-parade family activity at Carousel.
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Dates and prices change—confirm with official sources before you book travel. Status uses US Eastern calendar dates for “today.”
Plan your trip
Tickets, parking, lodging pacing, tips, and official links for this event window.
FAQs
Practical visitor questions—kids, weather, parking, tickets, and local logistics.
About this event
The Ocean City Christmas Parade is set for Saturday, December 5, 2026, 11 AM–1 PM. The route runs from Old Landing Road north to 120th Street via southbound Coastal Highway lanes. Expect floats, marching bands, local groups, vehicles, and Santa.
Admission is free. Town guidance prohibits median viewing—stay curbside. Traffic changes can begin around 8 AM. Post-parade family activity/awards have been hosted at the Carousel Hotel in recent years—confirm the year’s after-party note.
Bring chairs/blankets, dress for December wind, and use marked crossings only. Pair with Winterfest of Lights the same trip if you want evening lights at Northside Park.
Quick planning tips
- Arrive before 10:30 AM for curb space.
- Stay off the median—enforcement is real.
- Bundle kids for December wind.
Map (approximate)
Top FAQs
- When does the parade start?
- 11 AM on Saturday, December 5, 2026 (ends about 1 PM).
- Where should I watch?
- Curbside along the published Coastal Highway route—not the median. Arrive early for chair space.
- Will roads be closed early?
- Traffic controls often begin mid-morning (Town notes around 8 AM)—build extra travel time.
Sources we used
OCEANCITY.MD does not operate these events. Organizer websites, OceanCity.com, the Town of Ocean City (OC Ocean), OC Visitor, and regional tourism calendars are starting points—verify every time-sensitive detail directly.
