Category: Events

Thanksgiving weekend 2026 in the Wildwoods runs from a Thursday-morning Turkey Trot at the Wildwood Crest Pier (Nov 26) to a beach bonfire in North Wildwood (Nov 27), Christmas in North Wildwood (Nov 27-29) and a Small Business Saturday market at Byrne Plaza (Nov 28). Several of the events are free, it is all on one island, and Coastal Sands Inn, our hotel that stays open through April, sits in the middle of it. Here is the weekend, day by day, from the organizers’ listings on wildwoodsnj.com, checked November 8, 2026.

The weekend at a glance

When	What	Where	Cost
Thu, Nov 26, 8 a.m.	TJ Hunt Memorial 5K Turkey Trot	Wildwood Crest Pier	$30 adults, $10 under 18
Fri, Nov 27, evening	Family Holiday Bonfire on the Beach	North Wildwood beach at 2nd and Surf Avenues	$10 adults, $2 kids 12 and under
Fri-Sun, Nov 27-29	Christmas in North Wildwood	Olde New Jersey Avenue area, North Wildwood	Free
Fri, Nov 27-Sun, Dec 6	Wildwoods December Restaurant Week	Participating restaurants across the Wildwoods	Prix fixe: $15 breakfast, $20 lunch, $45 dinner
Sat, Nov 28, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.	Wildwoods Holiday Shopping Village (Small Business Saturday)	Byrne Plaza and downtown Wildwood	Free to browse
Sun, Nov 29, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.	Holidays at Hen-Ville Shopping Village	MudHen Brewing Company, 127 W. Rio Grande Ave.	Free to browse

Thursday: the Turkey Trot

The TJ Hunt Memorial 5K Turkey Trot starts at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, November 26, at the Wildwood Crest Pier. Registration is $30 for adults and $10 for runners under 18, and the TJ Hunt Memorial Foundation puts the proceeds toward scholarships and families who have faced traumatic events. All ages are welcome, so walkers and strollers come out too. Register through the foundation at tjhuntmemorialfoundation.com.

The Crest Pier is a short drive south of Coastal Sands Inn, straight down the island into Wildwood Crest, so you can be back for a shower before the turkey.

Friday: bonfire on the beach

The North Wildwood Volunteer Fire Company #1 hosts the Family Holiday Bonfire on the Beach on Friday, November 27, on the beach at 2nd and Surf Avenues in North Wildwood. Expect music, free photos with Santa and refreshments for sale. Admission is $10 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under.

Check the start time on the Wildwoods holiday events site before you head up. Dress for wind off the ocean: it is late November on an open beach.

Friday to Sunday: Christmas in North Wildwood

Christmas in North Wildwood runs November 27-29, put on by the North Wildwood Business Owners Association around Olde New Jersey Avenue. It is free: outdoor firepits, a strolling Santa, hot chocolate, lights and music, and a scavenger hunt with a chance to win a $500 Visa gift card. On Saturday a free “snowflake shuttle” runs between stops. Hours are not on the listing, so check nw-boa.com before you go.

Saturday: Small Business Saturday at Byrne Plaza

On Saturday, November 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Byrne Plaza and downtown Wildwood turn into the Wildwoods Holiday Shopping Village, run by the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce: local artisans, jewelry, handcrafted gifts, baked goods and holiday music. Byrne Plaza is about a third of a mile from Coastal Sands Inn, an easy walk.

Sunday: Hen-Ville at MudHen

Holidays at Hen-Ville at MudHen Brewing Company, 127 W. Rio Grande Ave., opens its holiday shopping village on Sunday, November 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with 20-plus local vendors, hot cocoa, s’mores and free face painting. It comes back December 5-6, 13 and 19-20 if you are staying into December. Details: mudhenbrew.com.

Eating out that weekend

Despite the name, Wildwoods December Restaurant Week starts on Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving, and runs through December 6, so leftovers can wait. Our Restaurant Week page has the dates and how the prix-fixe menus work.

Staying into December?

The holiday season keeps going: the parade and tree lightings are in our Christmas in the Wildwoods 2026 guide, the light show is on our Winter Wonderland page, and the rest of November is in our November in the Wildwoods roundup. Common questions about our hotels are on the FAQ page.

Where to stay Thanksgiving weekend

Coastal Sands Inn, 4110 Atlantic Ave, Wildwood, is the Coastal Collection hotel open from mid-October through April. It has family rooms, suites and an apartment with a kitchenette for bigger holiday groups, plus free Wi-Fi and on-site parking. Byrne Plaza is about a third of a mile away and MudHen about half a mile. Book Coastal Sands.

Our other four hotels, Beachside Resort, Sunset Beach Hotel, Sunrise Inn and Paradise Inn, reopen in April.

Questions about Thanksgiving in Wildwood

Is there a Turkey Trot in Wildwood on Thanksgiving 2026?

Yes. The TJ Hunt Memorial 5K Turkey Trot starts at 8 a.m. on Thursday, November 26, 2026, at the Wildwood Crest Pier; registration is $30 for adults and $10 for runners under 18.

When is Christmas in North Wildwood 2026?

November 27-29, 2026, around Olde New Jersey Avenue in North Wildwood; it is free.

What is happening in Wildwood on Small Business Saturday?

The Wildwoods Holiday Shopping Village at Byrne Plaza and downtown Wildwood, Saturday, November 28, 2026, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Is there a hotel open in Wildwood over Thanksgiving?

Yes. Coastal Sands Inn, 4110 Atlantic Ave, is open from mid-October through April and can be booked direct on our website.

The Wildwoods Holiday Spectacular is on Saturday, December 5, 2026, at the Wildwoods Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show runs 7 to 9 p.m., starring The Duprees with Wildwood’s own Joey M, hosted by Tommy Cono. It’s the second year for the show, put on by the Bobby Rydell Foundation, and tickets are sold through Ticketmaster. Here’s what to know, what else is happening in the Wildwoods that weekend, and our hotel that’s open about a quarter mile away.

The show at a glance

Date	Saturday, December 5, 2026
Time	Doors 6 p.m.; show 7 to 9 p.m.
Where	Wildwoods Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood
Lineup	The Duprees, Joey M; host Tommy Cono
Presented by	The Bobby Rydell Foundation
Tickets	Ticketmaster, linked from thebobbyrydellfoundation.org

Details are from the Bobby Rydell Foundation’s event page, checked November 2, 2026. Ticket prices are set by the seller, so check Ticketmaster for current prices and seating.

What the night is

The foundation bills it as a night of holiday favorites and timeless classics. The Duprees are the doo-wop group behind “You Belong to Me,” and Joey M is a Wildwood performer. There are 50/50 raffles through the evening, and the foundation says a few “special holiday friends” may stop by for photos. It’s billed as a family show.

The foundation is named for Bobby Rydell, who sang the 1963 hit “Wildwood Days.”

The rest of that weekend

Plenty else is on that weekend, and many of the events are free:

• Friday, December 4: the Greater Wildwood Jaycees Christmas Parade steps off at 16th Avenue in North Wildwood at 6 p.m. and follows Central and Pacific Avenues to Byrne Plaza, where the downtown tree is lit at about 7 p.m. Christmas in the Plaza (free carnival rides and vendors) runs Friday 5 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Saturday, December 5, daytime: Santa Paws, a dog-friendly walk through North Wildwood’s Olde New Jersey Avenue district starting at 1 p.m., and MudHen Brewing Company’s HenVille holiday market at 127 W. Rio Grande Ave., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Saturday, December 5, 5 p.m.: North Wildwood lights its tree at the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, two hours before the show.
• Sunday, December 6: the Gingerbread House Community Contest at the Crest Arts Pavilion in Wildwood Crest, 10 a.m. to noon, and the last day of December Restaurant Week.

Times are from the Wildwoods island-wide holiday listings. For the whole season, see Christmas in the Wildwoods 2026; for the prix fixe menus, see December Restaurant Week. The Winter Wonderland light show at Holly Beach Park follows on December 11 and 12.

Where to stay

Coastal Sands Inn, 4110 Atlantic Ave, is the Coastal Collection hotel open from mid-October through April. The Convention Center is about a quarter mile away, so you can walk to the show. Bundle up for the walk back along the Boardwalk. Book Coastal Sands

Planning summer 2027? Beachside Resort, Sunset Beach Hotel, Sunrise Inn and Paradise Inn reopen in April. Compare all five on the hotels in Wildwood page.

Quick answers

When is the Wildwoods Holiday Spectacular 2026?

Saturday, December 5, 2026, 7 to 9 p.m., with doors at 6 p.m., at the Wildwoods Convention Center.

Who is performing?

The Duprees and Joey M, hosted by Tommy Cono.

Where do I buy tickets?

Through Ticketmaster; the Bobby Rydell Foundation’s event page links to the sale.

Is there a hotel near the Convention Center open in December?

Yes. Coastal Sands Inn, 4110 Atlantic Ave, is open from mid-October through April, about a quarter mile from the Convention Center.

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 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 Ocean 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 (done for 2026)

The 2026 races ran on Saturday, November 7: the half marathon started 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 with a four-hour time limit, and registration runs through Elite Feats if you are planning for next year. 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 Ocean Avenue and loops 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 four 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 Ocean 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.

Eating out on Thanksgiving weekend? Wildwoods December Restaurant Week runs November 27 to December 6.

Planning ahead to early December? The Holiday Spectacular with The Duprees is December 5.

Planning the holiday weekend itself? See our Thanksgiving weekend in the Wildwoods guide: Turkey Trot, beach bonfire and Small Business Saturday.

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. From mid-October through April, Coastal Sands Inn is the Coastal Collection hotel that is open.

The 2026 holiday calendar

Date	Event	Where
Fri, Nov 27, 4:30 to 8:30 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 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 walk from Byrne Plaza and a short drive 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 p.m., after the parade, 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, Paradise Inn and Sunset Beach Hotel reopen in April. This winter, Coastal Sands Inn is the Coastal Collection hotel that stays open.

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 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.

Thanksgiving weekend also starts December Restaurant Week, with prix fixe menus through December 6; see how Restaurant Week works.

Twenty minutes south, Cape May runs its Christmas Candlelight House Tours on December 5, 12 and 19; plan a Cape May Christmas evening.

The city’s light show at Holly Beach Park runs December 11-12 and 18-19; see Winter Wonderland times.

On Saturday, December 5, The Duprees play the Convention Center; see the Holiday Spectacular details.

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.

The October 2026 calendar at a glance

Date	Event	Where	Admission
Oct 2 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.

Update, October 18: everything through the October 17 Fall Festival has already taken place. Still ahead: the Halloween weekends (October 24 and October 30 to 31) and the 5 Mile Beach races on November 7.

The Race of Gentlemen, October 2 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.

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?

It took place 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?

Coastal Sands Inn, 4110 Atlantic Ave, is open from mid-October through April. Beachside Resort, Sunrise Inn, Paradise Inn and Sunset Beach Hotel reopen in April.

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, Paradise Inn and Sunset Beach Hotel reopen in April. This winter, Coastal Sands Inn is the Coastal Collection hotel that stays open.

Staying past Halloween? Here is what’s on in the Wildwoods in November 2026, from the half marathon to the Turkey Trot.