Ocean City Welcomes Holiday Season with Winterfest and New Rising Tides Festival

Ocean City, MD - Ocean City, Maryland is closing out its 150th Anniversary year with a full calendar of holiday festivities. The celebrations include the return of Winterfest of Lights and the debut of the Rising Tides Festival, along with several other seasonal events.

Winterfest of Lights will open on November 20 and run through December 31 at Northside Park. This year features a completely redesigned layout that divides the park into themed holiday sections. Visitors will find areas like Candy Cane Lane, 12 Days of Christmas, Winterfest Zoo, and Fire & Ice village. Acting Special Events Director Brenda Moore noted that these updates represent some of the biggest changes to the festival yet.

The festival will include Fire & Ice nights every Friday and Saturday. These special evenings will feature food trucks, live entertainment, firepit lounges, and photo opportunities with an Ice Throne. Family attractions like teacups and a fun slide will return, and the trackless train route has been expanded to provide more views of the light displays.

A new addition this year is Enchanted Evenings, which offers reserved horse-drawn carriage rides through the lights. These private events will take place on December 1, 8, 9, and 15, when the park is typically closed to the public. Guests can choose from two, six, or twelve-person carriages. Participants will have exclusive access to the Winterfest tent for shopping and time with Santa. Additional details are available at ococean.com/winterfest.

Ocean City will also host its first Rising Tides Festival on Saturday, November 22, at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. The indoor festival features two concerts: the '70s Soul Jam at 2 p.m. and the Forever Young/Pop 2000's Tour at 6 p.m. Activities include indoor roller skating, a silent disco, and Boardwalk treats. Tickets are available at ococean.com/risingtidesfest.

The 150th Anniversary celebrations will conclude with a gala on Friday, December 12, from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. The event will include live music by Cherry Crush, themed experiences, local food tastings, and a 150-inch anniversary cake. Ticket information can be found at ococean.com.

"This year has truly showcased the spirit, history, and heart of Ocean City," said Tom Perlozzo, Director of Tourism and Business Development. "As we close out our 150th anniversary, these events are a reflection of who we are as a community, one that honors its past while celebrating everything that makes Ocean City a place people love to visit, live, and return to year after year."

The November 150th Mobile Museum will focus on Ocean City's candy-making history. Featured candy makers include Candy Kitchen, Wockenfuss, and Heppe's. The exhibit highlights Dolle's, which opened its Boardwalk stand in 1910 and marked the beginning of a tradition that continues today.