What’s happening in Ocean City: Ocean City to launch new weekly entertainment series at 34th Street

Ocean City will bring a variety of family fun to the south end with the launch of the new 34th Street Sandcastle Park Summer Entertainment Series from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8.

The weekly series will continue with a new theme each Wednesday through Aug. 19 at Sandcastle Park (3400 block between West Avenue and Asbury Avenue). July 8 will be a “Mummers Strut Kickoff” featuring the Pennsport String Band. The event will also include face-painters, balloon artists, a DJ, the Bookmobile and more.

All are invited to this free family event. Uncle Bill’s Pancake House (with locations at 21^st Street and Asbury Avenue, and 40^th Street and West Avenue) is the presenting sponsor. Additional sponsors include the Vanderslice Group (formerly Grace Realty), Goldcoast Sotheby’s International  Realty, Randazzo’s Pizza, Broadley’s Plumbing, Heating and Air-Conditioning, Johnny B. Goode Ice Cream Parlor, and the Ocean City Free Public Library.

Ocean City has a full calendar of other special events lined up for the week, including:

Tuesday, July 7

• Bike Auction: The Ocean City Bike Auction is scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 10 a.m. with registration starting at 9:15 a.m. Come join us down at the Shelter Road Compound off of Tennessee Avenue and put your bid on a wide variety of bicycles and other items that have been deemed by the Ocean City Police Department as abandoned or unclaimed. We have approximately 70 bicycles ready to be auctioned off. ocnj.us/news/post/21327.
• Winnie the Pooh — The Musical Presented by OCTC: The Ocean City Theatre Company Summer Children’s Series opens with a musical adaptation of the classic children’s stories. The show is at 10:30 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Advance tickets are available at oceancitytheatrecompany.com.

Wednesday, July 8  

• Beach Exercise — Pilates Yoga: Free program (no registration needed) on the beach at Sixth Street starts at 8 a.m. Bring a towel and a friend.
• Farmers Market: Local farmers sell seasonal fruits, vegetables, baked goods and specialty foods on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle (Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue) from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Crafters set up in the adjacent street.
• Wacky Wednesday: Use your creativity to shape Shriver’s Salt Water Taffy into your own masterpiece. The contest is free and open to all ages, but limited to the first 200 participants. Starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. This is part of a series of weekly family-friendly contests throughout the summer.

• The Duprees Performing With the Ocean City Pops: The Pops will be joined by the Duprees, who are known the world over for their romantic interpretations of some of the most beautiful love songs ever written. They have made a career out of giving new life to the big band standards and contemporary hits. The show is at 7:30 p.m. at the Music Pier, and tickets are available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.

• Beach Walks: Free guided beach walk explores Ocean City’s coastal environment. Meet near the beach at 6:30 p.m. at 59^th Street and Central Avenue.

• Family Night on the Boardwalk: A variety of family-friendly entertainers — including magicians, musicians, characters and more — will be stationed on the Boardwalk between Sixth Street and 14^th Street.

Thursday, July 9

• Market Days: Ocean City’s downtown shopping district along Asbury Avenue features entertainment, face-painters, balloon-sculptors and more from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Mummers Night: String bands strut the Boardwalk between Sixth Street and 14^th Street between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Friday, July 10

• Beach Exercise — Low Impact: Free program (no registration needed) on the beach at Sixth Street starts at 8 a.m. Bring a towel and a friend.
• Walking Club: Ocean City’s Walking Club invites people of all ages and fitness levels to join them to walk the length (or any portion) of the Boardwalk. Meet at the Ocean City Music Pier at 8 a.m.

• Joe Stefano and His Jazz Ensemble Band: Local resident and Navy veteran Joe Stefano and his pop and jazz ensemble will perform a free concert for veterans and guests at 7 p.m. at the Music Pier. The group will perform classical, jazz, big band and Broadway hits. No advance registration is required for the public to attend this free show.

Sunday, July 12

• Ocean City Theater Company All-Stars Performing with the Ocean City Pops: Join Maestro Vince Lee as some of the biggest talents from the Greater Ocean City Theatre Company perform Broadway’s biggest hits and beloved favorites. 7:30 p.m. at the Music Pier.  Tickets available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.
• 46th Annual T. John Carey Master’s Swim: The Masters Swim has been one of the premier open-water swimming events on the Jersey Shore since 1979. The one-mile ocean race follows a point-to-point course that runs parallel to the beach. The 2026 race will have an evening start time with a finish at 12th Street. For more information, ocnj.us/MastersSwim.
  
  

Monday, July 13

• TUSK: The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute: TUSK has been performing a high-energy tribute to Fleetwood Mac for 17 years. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets available at etix.com.