Stay Close To Wildwood’s Biggest Events • Book Direct

Month: October 2026

Cape May-Lewes Ferry: A Day Trip to Lewes, Delaware from Wildwood

The Cape May-Lewes Ferry turns a Wildwood stay into a two-state trip. The terminal in North Cape May is a short drive from our hotels, the crossing takes about 85 minutes across the mouth of Delaware Bay, and you step off in Lewes, Delaware, a small, walkable harbor town with a state park next door. Here is how to do it as a day trip.

Sunset Beach Hotel exterior, 4300 Ocean Ave, Wildwood NJ
Sunset Beach Hotel, 4300 Ocean Ave, Wildwood. One of the five Coastal Collection hotels.

Ferry basics

New Jersey terminal 1200 Lincoln Blvd, North Cape May, NJ 08204
Delaware terminal 43 Cape Henlopen Dr, Lewes, DE 19958
Crossing About 85 minutes, 17 miles each way
Walk-on passengers Welcome; reservations not required but recommended
Bikes Free with a walk-on ticket
Dogs Leashed or crated, on the outside decks
Fall 2026 note A temporary fuel surcharge of $7 per one-way crossing applies from October 12 through December 31, 2026

Fares, the current sailing schedule and reservations are on cmlf.com. Sailing times change by season, so check the schedule for your date and book your return before you leave.

Car or walk on?

For a day trip, walking on is the simple option: park at the North Cape May terminal, ride over, and explore Lewes on foot or by bike. Bring a bike and it rides free, which makes the flat streets of Lewes and the trails at Cape Henlopen State Park easy to cover. Need a bike? Our Wildwood bike rentals guide lists shops near each of our hotels. Taking the car over makes sense if you want to continue to Rehoboth Beach or further south.

Arrive early. The ferry asks walk-on passengers and cyclists to be there at least 30 minutes before departure, and recommends 45.

A sample day

  • Morning: leave your hotel in Wildwood and drive to the North Cape May terminal. Catch a morning sailing and spend the crossing on the outer deck.
  • Midday: walk or ride into downtown Lewes for lunch and a look around the shops.
  • Afternoon: Cape Henlopen State Park is on the same road as the ferry terminal: beaches, dunes and trails. Check the park’s own site for fall hours and fees.
  • Evening: ride the ferry back for sunset over the bay and be in Wildwood for dinner.

Where to stay

All five Coastal Collection hotels are in Wildwood, about 8 miles from the ferry terminal as the crow flies, so plan on roughly 20 minutes by car. Sunset Beach Hotel at 4300 Ocean Ave is on the south side of town, the side closest to Cape May. Check Sunset Beach Hotel dates. Coastal Sands Inn at 4110 Atlantic Ave is nearby. Check Coastal Sands Inn dates. From mid-October through April, Coastal Sands Inn is the one that is open; Beachside Resort, Sunrise Inn and Paradise Inn reopen around April 1, and Sunset Beach Hotel may open earlier in the winter. See all five on the hotels in Wildwood page, or our hotels near Cape May page if you want to see Cape May the same weekend.

More day trips from Wildwood

Staying on the New Jersey side? Try the Cape May Lighthouse, a Cape May County winery loop or whale and dolphin watching from Cape May.

Quick answers

How long is the Cape May-Lewes Ferry ride?

About 85 minutes each way, across 17 miles of Delaware Bay.

Can I take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry as a walk-on passenger?

Yes. Reservations aren’t required for walk-on passengers but are recommended, and bikes ride free with a walk-on ticket. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

How far is the ferry from Wildwood?

The North Cape May terminal, 1200 Lincoln Blvd, is about 8 miles from our Wildwood hotels in a straight line, roughly a 20-minute drive.

Christmas in the Wildwoods 2026: Tree Lightings, Parade & Where to Stay

The Wildwoods don’t go dark after Halloween. From Thanksgiving weekend to mid-December, the island lights trees, runs a Christmas parade and turns a few blocks into holiday shopping villages. Here is the 2026 schedule from the Wildwoods tourism calendar, in date order, with the Coastal Collection hotel closest to each spot.

Coastal Sands Inn, Wildwood NJ
A balcony at Coastal Sands Inn, 4110 Atlantic Ave, Wildwood. Open mid-October through April.

The 2026 holiday calendar

Date Event Where
Fri, Nov 27, 5 to 9 p.m. Family Holiday Beach Bonfire 2nd Ave and Surf Ave, North Wildwood
Nov 27 to 29 Christmas in North Wildwood: fire pits, hot chocolate, lights North Wildwood
Sat, Nov 28, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wildwoods Holiday Shopping Village Byrne Plaza and downtown Wildwood
Nov 29; Dec 5 and 6, 13, 19 and 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Holidays at HenVille shopping village, with visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus MudHen Brewing Company
Tue, Dec 1, 5 p.m. Wildwood Crest Holiday Tree Lighting Sunset Lake, Wildwood Crest
Fri, Dec 4, 6 p.m. Greater Wildwood Jaycees Christmas Parade North Wildwood and Wildwood
Fri, Dec 4, about 7:30 p.m. Downtown Wildwood Christmas Tree Lighting Byrne Plaza
Sat, Dec 5, 5 p.m. North Wildwood Tree Lighting Hereford Inlet Lighthouse courtyard
Sat, Dec 12, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Family Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting Wildwoods Convention Center

Dates and times are from the Wildwoods holiday events listing (wildwoodsnj.com). Outdoor events can move for weather, so check the organizer’s page the week of.

Thanksgiving weekend: bonfire and shopping village

Friday night’s beach bonfire in North Wildwood is the easy family outing after a big Thursday dinner. Saturday morning, the Holiday Shopping Village sets up in Byrne Plaza and downtown Wildwood, and on Sunday MudHen Brewing opens the first of its HenVille market days.

Where to stay: Coastal Sands Inn, 4110 Atlantic Ave, is the Coastal Collection hotel open from mid-October through April, a short drive from Byrne Plaza and from the North Wildwood bonfire. Book Coastal Sands

Parade night: Friday, December 4

The Jaycees Christmas Parade starts at 6 p.m. and runs through North Wildwood and Wildwood. Downtown Wildwood lights its tree in Byrne Plaza at about 7:30 p.m. the same night, so you can catch both the same night.

Three tree lightings in five days

Wildwood Crest lights its tree at Sunset Lake on Tuesday, December 1. Downtown Wildwood follows on Friday the 4th, and North Wildwood lights the tree at the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse on Saturday the 5th, with music, refreshments and Santa. If you can only make one, the lighthouse makes the most memorable backdrop.

A holiday day at the Convention Center

On Saturday, December 12, the Wildwoods Convention Center hosts a Family Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., indoors, so it works in any weather.

Where to stay: Coastal Sands Inn at 4110 Atlantic Ave is a short walk from the Convention Center. Book Coastal Sands

Are the hotels open in December?

Yes, one is. Coastal Sands Inn at 4110 Atlantic Ave is the Coastal Collection hotel open from mid-October through April, including Thanksgiving weekend and all of December. Book Coastal Sands

Planning summer 2027? Beachside Resort, Sunrise Inn and Paradise Inn reopen around April 1, and Sunset Beach Hotel may open earlier in the winter. All four are taking summer 2027 bookings now.

Quick answers

When is the Wildwood Christmas parade in 2026?

The Greater Wildwood Jaycees Christmas Parade is Friday, December 4, 2026, at 6 p.m., through North Wildwood and Wildwood.

When are the tree lightings in the Wildwoods?

Wildwood Crest on Tuesday, December 1 at 5 p.m. at Sunset Lake; downtown Wildwood on Friday, December 4 at about 7:30 p.m. in Byrne Plaza; North Wildwood on Saturday, December 5 at 5 p.m. at the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse; and the Convention Center celebration on Saturday, December 12.

Is there anything to do in Wildwood on Thanksgiving weekend?

Yes: a beach bonfire in North Wildwood on Friday, November 27, the Holiday Shopping Village downtown on Saturday, November 28, and the first HenVille market at MudHen Brewing on Sunday, November 29.

Cape May County Wineries: A Fall Day Trip from Wildwood

Cape May County has more wineries than most people expect, and fall is harvest season. From Wildwood, the closest tasting room is about ten minutes away, and most of the rest are a 15- to 30-minute drive. Here is a loop you can do in an afternoon, with addresses for the main stops.

Sunset Beach Hotel exterior, 4300 Ocean Ave, Wildwood NJ
Sunset Beach Hotel, 4300 Ocean Ave, Wildwood. One of the five Coastal Collection hotels.

The wineries, roughly by distance from Wildwood

Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery, Rio Grande

600 South Railroad Ave, Rio Grande. The closest to Wildwood: cross the bridge on Rio Grande Avenue and it is a few minutes further. A family farm turned vineyard, with a tasting room and outdoor seating among the vines.

Jessie Creek Winery, Cape May Court House

1 North Delsea Drive (Route 47), Cape May Court House. A short drive from Rio Grande, so it pairs well with Hawk Haven if you head north instead of south.

Cape May Winery & Vineyard, Town Bank

711 Town Bank Road, Cape May, in the Town Bank area on the bay side of the peninsula. One of the older vineyards in the county.

Willow Creek Winery, West Cape May

168 Stevens Street, West Cape May. A big working farm a few minutes from Cape May’s Victorian district, so it is easy to add to a Cape May afternoon.

Natali Vineyards and Turdo Vineyards

Two smaller producers round out the loop: Natali Vineyards in Goshen on the Delaware Bay side, and Turdo Vineyards in North Cape May. Check their sites for tasting days before you go.

A sample afternoon

  1. 1 p.m.: Leave Wildwood over the Rio Grande Avenue bridge. Hawk Haven first.
  2. 2:30 p.m.: Drive south toward Cape May, stop at Willow Creek or Cape May Winery. (Prefer to stay north? Swap in Jessie Creek.)
  3. 4:30 p.m.: Walk the Washington Street Mall in Cape May, or head to Cape May Point for the lighthouse and the sunset, which comes early in October. Our lighthouse day trip guide has the details.
  4. Evening: Back in Wildwood for dinner.

Pick a driver, or book a car. The whole loop is under an hour of driving, but tastings add up.

Tips for a fall winery trip

  • Reserve. Weekend tastings can fill up in the fall. Book a time slot on the winery’s site if it takes reservations.
  • Check hours. Many wineries shorten their hours as the season winds down; each winery’s website has current days and times.
  • Bring kids? Call the winery ahead to ask. The Cape May County Zoo is free and on the way if you head north to Jessie Creek.
  • Pack a cooler bag if you plan to bring bottles home.

Where to stay

Staying in Wildwood puts you in the middle of the loop, with free beaches in the morning and wine in the afternoon. All five Coastal Collection hotels are a short drive from the Rio Grande Avenue bridge; compare them on our Wildwood hotels page. Some of our hotels close for the season in the fall, and each booking calendar shows which have rooms on your dates. For a group trip, Paradise Inn has cottages and a private house. Check Paradise Inn dates.

Coming in mid-October? The 2026 Wildwoods Fall Festival is Saturday, October 17 at Fox Park; see our Fall Festival page.

Quick answers

How many wineries are in Cape May County?

Six are covered in this guide: Cape May Winery, Hawk Haven, Jessie Creek, Natali, Turdo and Willow Creek. The Cape May wine trail’s own site has the full, current list.

Do Cape May wineries need reservations?

Many take reservations for weekend tastings, especially in the fall. Check each winery’s website before you go.

October in Wildwood 2026: Festivals, Halloween Fun and Where to Stay

Summer crowds are gone, the beach is wide open, and October in Wildwood still has something on almost every weekend. Here is the 2026 calendar from the first weekend of October to the first weekend of November, in date order, with the Coastal Collection hotel closest to each event.

Guest room at Coastal Sands Inn, Wildwood NJ
A guest room at Coastal Sands Inn, Wildwood. Open mid-October through April.

The October 2026 calendar at a glance

Date Event Where Admission
Oct 1 to 4 The Race of Gentlemen: pre-1934 hot rods and motorcycles racing on the sand The beach by Morey’s Piers, 3501 Boardwalk See organizer
Oct 2 to 3 Olde Tyme Italian Festival Fox Park, Ocean Ave See organizer
Sat, Oct 10 Wildwood Days Festival (first year) Byrne Plaza, 3400 Pacific Ave Free
Sat, Oct 17 Wildwoods Fall Festival, from 11 a.m. Fox Park, 4500 Ocean Ave Free
Sat, Oct 24 North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Block Party, 2:30 to 5 p.m. Olde New Jersey Ave, North Wildwood Free
Sat, Oct 24 Greater Wildwood Elks Halloween Haunted House 109 W 1st Ave, North Wildwood Free
Oct 30 to 31 Haunted Gym Byrne Community Center, 406 W Youngs Ave See organizer
Sat, Nov 7 5 Mile Beach Half Marathon, 10K and 5K Starts at Rambler Road Park, Wildwood Crest Race registration

Dates come from the event organizers and the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce calendar. Check the organizer’s page the week of, since fall weather can move outdoor events.

The Race of Gentlemen, October 1 to 4

Pre-1934 cars and motorcycles, built the way they were then, drag race on the beach near Morey’s Piers. It is loud, it is dusty, and it is one of the most photographed weekends of the year. See our TROG page for the weekend schedule.

Where to stay: Coastal Sands Inn, 4110 Atlantic Ave, is the Coastal Collection hotel open from mid-October through April, a short walk from Morey’s Mariner’s Pier. Book Coastal Sands

Olde Tyme Italian Festival, October 2 and 3

Same weekend as TROG, at Fox Park on Ocean Avenue: Italian food, music and a crowd that comes back every year. Our Italian Festival page has more. Fox Park is the same venue as the Fall Festival two weeks later, so the hotels below work for both.

Wildwood Days, Saturday, October 10

A brand-new free festival in Byrne Plaza, the downtown square on Pacific Avenue.

Where to stay: Coastal Sands Inn, 4110 Atlantic Ave, is the Coastal Collection hotel open from mid-October through April, a short drive from Byrne Plaza. Book Coastal Sands

Wildwoods Fall Festival, Saturday, October 17

Fox Park, across from the Wildwoods Convention Center, fills with craft and food vendors, live bands and a beer garden starting at 11 a.m. Admission is free. Our Fall Festival page has the details.

Where to stay: Coastal Sands Inn at 4110 Atlantic Ave, open through April, is under ten minutes on foot from Fox Park. Book Coastal Sands

Halloween weekends with kids

Saturday, October 24 is the family day. North Wildwood’s Trunk-or-Treat runs 2:30 to 5 p.m. along Olde New Jersey Avenue, with music, magic and balloon twisting; decorated cars check in from 1:30 p.m. at 1st and New Jersey Avenues. The Elks Haunted House on West 1st Avenue is the same day. The following weekend, the Byrne Community Center turns its gym into a haunted house on October 30 and 31. North Wildwood is a short drive up the island from Coastal Sands Inn.

Why come in October

Rooms are usually easier to find after Labor Day, the beaches are still free, and the Boardwalk is calmer. Our post on why fall is underrated in Wildwood has more reasons, and the 5 Mile Beach Half Marathon page covers race weekend on November 7.

Quick answers

When is the Wildwoods Fall Festival 2026?

Saturday, October 17, 2026, starting at 11 a.m., at Fox Park, 4500 Ocean Ave, Wildwood. Admission is free.

Is there trick-or-treating in the Wildwoods?

Yes. North Wildwood’s Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Block Party is Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. on Olde New Jersey Avenue.

Are Coastal Collection hotels open in October?

Each hotel’s booking calendar shows the dates it has rooms. If a date shows nothing available, that property may be closed for the season; try another of our hotels or call ahead.


Thinking ahead to the holidays? Here is Christmas in the Wildwoods 2026, from the Thanksgiving bonfire to the tree lightings.

Planning summer 2027? Beachside Resort, Sunrise Inn and Paradise Inn reopen around April 1, and Sunset Beach Hotel may open earlier in the winter. All four are taking summer 2027 bookings now.

Your Wildwood Escape Starts Here.

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