November is the quietest month on the island, and that’s the appeal: free beaches with nobody on them, an empty Boardwalk for long walks, and a short list of local events that are easy to plan a weekend around. Here is everything on the Wildwoods tourism calendar for November 2026, in date order, plus the one Coastal Collection hotel that’s open.
November 2026 at a glance
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sun, Nov 1, 15 and 22 | Spirit Brands cheer and dance competitions | Listed on the Wildwoods event calendar |
| Sat, Nov 7, from 8 a.m. | 5 Mile Beach Half Marathon, 10K & 5K | Rambler Road Park, Ocean Ave, Wildwood Crest |
| Wed, Nov 11, 10 a.m. | North Wildwood Veterans Day ceremony | Veterans’ Memorial Park, Spruce and New York Aves, North Wildwood |
| Sat, Nov 14, noon to 4 p.m. | Christmasween (new this year) | Wildwoods Convention Center |
| Sat, Nov 21, noon to 4 p.m. and 7 to 11 p.m. | Holiday Kickoff Party | MudHen Brewing Company |
| Thu, Nov 26, 9 a.m. | TJ Hunt Memorial 5K Turkey Trot | Starts at the Wildwood Crest Pier, 5800 Atlantic Ave |
| Nov 27 to 30 | Thanksgiving weekend: beach bonfire, Christmas in North Wildwood, shopping village, December Restaurant Week begins | Across the island |
Dates and times are from the Wildwoods event calendar (wildwoodsnj.com) and the organizers’ own pages as of October 18, 2026. Outdoor events can change with the weather, so check the organizer the week of.
November 7: the 5 Mile Beach races
The half marathon starts at 8 a.m., the 5K at 8:15 and the 10K at 9:15, all from Rambler Road Park on Ocean Avenue in Wildwood Crest. The half is two loops of a flat out-and-back course, and there’s a four-hour time limit. Packet pickup is Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the start area. Registration is through Elite Feats. Our 5 Mile Beach Half Marathon guide has the full race-day details.
Where to stay: Coastal Sands Inn, 4110 Atlantic Ave, is about a mile and a half from Rambler Road Park, an easy drive or warm-up jog on race morning. Book Coastal Sands
November 11: Veterans Day in North Wildwood
VFW Post 5491 holds its Veterans Day ceremony at 10 a.m. at Veterans’ Memorial Park, at the corner of Spruce and New York Avenues in North Wildwood. It’s short, free and open to everyone.
November 14: Christmasween
New for 2026: a family event where Halloween meets Christmas, inside the Wildwoods Convention Center from noon to 4 p.m. Take photos with the monsters and the holiday sets; check christmasweenparty.com for the costume policy before you dress up. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children 13 and under, per the event listing; details at christmasweenparty.com.
Where to stay: Coastal Sands Inn is about a quarter mile from the Convention Center, so you can walk over and back. Book Coastal Sands
November 21: Holiday Kickoff at MudHen
MudHen Brewing Company kicks off the holiday season with dueling pianos, crafts, a Gratitude Wall and free face painting from noon to 4 p.m., then live music from Shot of Southern at The Station House from 7 to 11 p.m. Bring canned goods for their Thanksgiving can drive. More about the brewery in our MudHen Brewing guide.
Thanksgiving morning: the Turkey Trot
The TJ Hunt Memorial 5K Turkey Trot starts at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day from the Wildwood Crest Pier at 5800 Atlantic Avenue and runs to the Wildwood Boardwalk; there’s also a one-mile walk on the Wildwood Crest bike path. Registration opens at 8 a.m. and costs $30 for adults and $10 for under-18s, with a T-shirt and a drink ticket for the after-party at MudHen Brewing on Rio Grande Avenue. Proceeds go to the TJ Hunt Memorial Foundation’s scholarships and family support; register at tjhuntmemorialfoundation.com.
Thanksgiving weekend and beyond
From Friday, November 27, the holiday season takes over: a family beach bonfire in North Wildwood, Christmas in North Wildwood, the Holiday Shopping Village downtown, and the start of Wildwoods December Restaurant Week. The full schedule, including the December 4 Christmas parade and three tree lightings, is in our Christmas in the Wildwoods 2026 guide. For the rest of the year, see the Wildwood events calendar.
Where to stay in November
Coastal Sands Inn at 4110 Atlantic Ave is the Coastal Collection hotel open from mid-October through April, including every weekend in November and Thanksgiving. Rooms have a microwave and refrigerator, handy for Thanksgiving leftovers. Book Coastal Sands
Planning summer 2027? Beachside Resort, Sunset Beach Hotel, Sunrise Inn and Paradise Inn reopen in April.
Quick answers
What is there to do in Wildwood in November?
In November 2026: the 5 Mile Beach Half Marathon, 10K and 5K on November 7, a Veterans Day ceremony in North Wildwood on November 11, Christmasween at the Convention Center on November 14, a Holiday Kickoff Party at MudHen Brewing on November 21 and the TJ Hunt Memorial Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning.
Is there a Turkey Trot in Wildwood?
Yes. The TJ Hunt Memorial 5K Turkey Trot starts at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2026, from the Wildwood Crest Pier at 5800 Atlantic Ave.
Are Wildwood hotels open in November?
Some are. Coastal Sands Inn at 4110 Atlantic Ave is open from mid-October through April; the other Coastal Collection hotels reopen in April.
