Every June, lodges of the New Jersey State Elks Association gather at the Wildwoods Convention Center for their annual convention, which the Elks call the Wildwood Reunion, with a parade on the Boardwalk on Saturday. In 2026 it ran June 4-6; 2027 dates have not been announced yet (check njelks.org).

What Makes NJ Elks Convention Special

• The NJ State Elks Convention & Parade brings members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks from lodges across New Jersey to Wildwood each June, at the start of the summer season.
• The centerpiece is the Saturday parade. In 2026 it stepped off just before noon on June 6 and ran along the Boardwalk from Juniper Avenue south to the Convention Center, with lodges marching by district behind bands, floats and lodge vehicles. The 2026 parade theme was “New Jersey Elks a Beacon of Hope.”
• The convention itself is held at the Wildwoods Convention Center. The 2026 program included an Inaugural Banquet, and parade trophies for floats, bands and marching units were awarded Saturday evening.

What to Expect at NJ Elks Convention

• Convention sessions at the Wildwoods Convention Center
• A judged Saturday parade: lodge floats, bands and marching units compete for trophies
• Road closures on Ocean Avenue and 26th Street around parade time (about 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in 2026), so plan your drive around them

Pack comfortable walking shoes for boardwalk strolling and lightweight layers for ocean breezes.

Where to Stay for NJ State Elks Convention & Parade

The five Coastal Collection hotels are family-owned, motel-style properties within a few blocks of the beach and the Boardwalk. See walk times from each hotel to the Boardwalk, or compare all five Wildwood hotels and book direct on each hotel’s page. Only Coastal Sands Inn stays open from mid-October through March; Beachside Resort, Sunrise Inn, Paradise Inn and Sunset Beach Hotel reopen in April, so check dates when you book.

The Coastal Collection