During the winter months, it’s often nice to think about planning a vacation. Sometimes, you just can’t help but think about visiting your favorite vacation spot. Now is the best time to start planning your summer vacation to Ocean City, MD.
Many businesses, the Town of Ocean City, and the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce have recently released their 2013 calendars – just so people can start planning their vacations in advance. I’m sure you may already know this, but you can usually snag the best deals by booking your hotel accommodations several months in advance.
Plan your 2013 vacation around any of the following events:
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NEW YEARS EVE December 31st, 2012 – January 1st, 2013
Out with 2012, in with 2013! There are many ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve and relish in the upcoming year that will be filled with new possibilities. Use this weekend to welcome the New Year by attending one of the area’s fun events; the Berlin Ball Drop, the Atlantic General Hospital’s Penguin Swim, or fireworks over north Ocean City! Northside Park will be lit by fireworks at midnight on December 31st, 2012.
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ST PATRICKS DAY March 16th, 2013
The 32nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will run from 59th Street to 45th Street in Ocean City, MD. Attendees park g their vehicles as far north as 70th Street and walk down Coastal Highway just to settle into a place to view the parade. The St. Patrick’s Day parade includes pipe and drum bands, several high school marching bands, and numerous festively decorates St. Patty’s Day floats.
Local bars and restaurants will be filled with families clad in green, bagpipers in kilts, and partiers sipping on green drinks. Some hot spots? Seacrets, Smitty McGee’s, Shenanigans, Johnny’s Pizza, and Fager’s Island. St. Patrick’s Day marks the opening of many seasonal businesses on the shore.
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BIKES TO THE BEACH April 25th, 2013 – April 28th, 2013 The 3rd annual Bikes to the Beach Spring Rally will take place in Ocean City in late April. Many hotels, nightclubs and restaurants will participate in specials for the motorcycle event. Across Delmarva this weekend motorcyclists will rejoice. It’s estimated that more than 120,000 motorcycling enthusiasts will travel to Delmarva to participate in Bike Week activities. Bikes to the Beach, OC BikeFest, and Delmarva Bike Week all simultaneously occur during the 3rd weekend of September. |
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SPRINGFEST
May 2nd, 2013 – May 5th, 2013
This weekend marks Ocean City’s 23rd annual Springfest. Springfest celebrates the upcoming summer season and runs until Sunday, May 5th. Delicious food, live entertainment and unique arts and crafts will be located across the inlet parking lot and under large tents. A variety of musical performances on two separate stages will keep guests entertained. Admission to the event is free. Headline musical acts require tickets. Tickets can be purchased at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City.
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CRUISIN WEEKEND
May 16th, 2013
More than 3,000 hotrods will take to the streets over a weekend in a few days. Customs, classics, street machines, muscle cars, hot rods, and more will be showcased. Live entertainment, celebrity guests, and vendors will all meet at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. Admission to this event at the Convention Center is $10; children under the age of 14 are free. A boardwalk car parade begins at 8 am on Saturday morning – starting at the Inlet parking lot.
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OCEAN CITY AIR SHOW
June 8th, 2013 – June 9th, 2013
The popular OC Air Show comes to Ocean City this weekend. This annual event runs Saturday and Sunday this weekend starting at noon, both days. The planes, jets, and military air crafts will be visible along the entire length of the boardwalk. This is a neat experience for all visitors. A VIP viewing area is set up on the beach at 16th Street.
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JULY 4TH
July 4th, 2013
On July 4th, 1776, a handful of men embraced a set of ideals and the promise of a nation that might one day, be based on ideals of justice, freedom, and courage. Our late ancestors launched rockets, danced with torches of fire, and shot their guns up towards the sky. American's fascination with noise and color of these 'fire works' grew stronger with every celebration had. In keeping with American tradition, rockets will send red glares across the Eastern Shore this week… all in honor of Independence Day. Fireworks will be set off on the beach in downtown Ocean City, from Northside Park, and at Seacrets.
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TUNA TOURNAMENT
July 12th, 2013
The 26th Annual Ocean City Tuna Tournament is an Ocean City must-see. Last year, a record 257-pound big-eye weighed just minutes before the scale closed late Sunday evening to capture the top prize before a stunned crowd. The Tuna Tournament is the East Coast’s largest tuna tournament. More than 100 boats will weigh-in and attempt to win over $500,000 in cash.
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WHITE MARLIN OPEN
August 30th, 2013
The White Marlin Open weigh-ins, the spectator portion of the tournament, take place at Harbor Island, a waterfront community of townhouses off of 14th Street that opens itself up to the masses once a year. There’s nothing quite like the crowds of people standing by the scales, just waiting for a boat to pull up, the excitement palpable. It’s a festive atmosphere full of music and food of course, and people of all ages. Hundreds of boats are docked in the marina just watching it all unfold.
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BIKE FEST
September 12th, 2013 – September 15th, 2013
OC BikeFest will bring national entertainment and bands, stunt shows, bike builders, vendors, food and beverage to the Boardwalk, Ocean City Convention Center, and Inlet. According to organizers, this year’s OC BikeFest will treat Delmarva motorcycle enthusiasts to a weekend of fantastic music and thrilling entertainment at the Inlet, Convention Center and Jolly Roger Amusement Park.
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SUNFEST
September 19th, 2013 – September 22nd, 2013
Sunfest, running from September 19th through 22nd, is a four-day long festival offering food, arts, crafts, live entertainment, and activities for children. Sunfest was created more than 25 years ago to welcome the end of Ocean City's summer season. This weekend, Ocean City may see as many as 155,000 visitors – most in town to attend the festival. It is suggested tickets for live entertainment purposes be purchased in advance because performances in years past have often sold out in days leading up to the festival. All other live entertainment will be free.
More than 180 arts and crafts vendors will occupy two large tents. Items like pottery, wood carvings, photography, paintings, candles, soaps, dolls, pet items, clothing, accessories, jewelry, home goods, and more will be for sale. Many artists will be performing live demonstrations of their artistic abilities at their booths.
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WINTERFEST
November 15th, 2013 – January 1st, 2014
There’s a chill in the air, kids bounce up and down in anticipation, not certain whether the approaching train, or Santa Claus—who happens to be tucked inside his house just a few yards away—is more exciting. Soon, these children and their families will board the Ocean City boardwalk tram and take a holiday journey through close to one million lights at Northside Park in Ocean City, MD.
Aside from the scenic train ride, a huge indoor tent serves as the waiting grounds for the ride, and also houses Yukon Cornelius’s Gift Shop, Santa’s House, and a refreshment area. So much of the Winterfest of Lights experience is tradition, providing a wonderful way for the community and visitors alike to celebrate the holiday season on the shore.
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