Adding up your hotel rates, dinner and drinks on the water, ice cream on the boardwalk, and all the other expenses of your family vacation can be a little overwhelming. Luckily, Ocean City has lots of free night-time activities enjoyable for the whole gang without having to break the bank!
100 Nights of Lights (5/27 - 9/4)
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the beach at North Division Street will feature a laser light show each night 9 - 11pm. With high-powered searchlights creating a “light dance” to the music playing, the boardwalk and surrounding beach area will be accentuated with vibrant colors.
Family Beach Olympics (6/27 - 8/8)
Tuesdays from June 27th til August 8th, 27th Street Beach hosts free competitive events for families to participate in such as sand castle contests, tug-of-war, relay races and more! Bring out your competitive side and get the family out on the beach for an exciting night of Family Olympics.
Movies on the Beach (6/7 - 8/30); (6/27 - 8/11)
Whether you’re staying up north or downtown near the boardwalk, Ocean City offers free movies for the family on the beach in two different locations! At the Carousel Hotel on 118th Street, movies show at 8:30pm every Wednesday from June 7th til August 30th. If the weather turns south, the movie will be shown inside the Carousel! Click here for the movie schedule. Downtown on 27th Street, from June 27th til August 11th, movies play every Monday and Friday at 8:30pm. Click here for the movie schedule.
Sundaes in the Park (6/18 - 9/3)
Every Sunday from 7-9pm, Northside Park transforms into a concert venue with live performances, ice cream sundaes, fun activities for the kids, and a fireworks show. Click here for a full list of performances.
First Friday Art Receptions (First Friday of every month)
Ocean City Center for the Arts on 94th Street features new exhibits each month. On the first Friday of each month, there is a free reception from 5-7pm. View new exhibits, enjoy some yummy appetizers, and meet the artists!
Sunset Park Party Nights (7/6 - 8/31)
Venture to Sunset Park on South Division Street near the Coast Guard Station on Thursdays from July 6th til August 31st to watch the sunset on the Isle of Wight Bay. From 7-9pm, admission is free to enjoy live performances such as The Beatles Tribute Band British Invasion Experience, and Sir Rod, a Tribute to Rod Stewart. Grab your beach or lawn chairs and head to Sunset Park with the family! Beverages are available for purchase.
Beach Fireworks (7/10 - 9/4)
On the boardwalk every Monday and Tuesday from July 10th til September 4th, there will be free fireworks displays at 10:30pm! Get a slice of pizza or an ice cream cone, grab a seat along the boardwalk or a spot on the beach, and enjoy the show.
Free Ice Shows (7/14 - 9/3)
Every day except Fridays, Carousel Hotel performers “The Next Ice Age” put on a free ice show in the hotel’s atrium from 6:30-7pm. To make a night out of it, make reservations at the hotel’s rink-side restaurant to enjoy the show while eating dinner! To make reservations, call (410) 524-1000.
OC Beach Dance Party with DJ Batman (7/11 - 8/29)
Head down to the beach with your family and friends every Tuesday from 7-9pm to take part in some interactive entertainment with Ocean City’s one-and-only DJ Batman on the Caroline Street Stage. Dance the night away in the sand and enjoy the free music! Click here for a list of music themes and performances.
Not all of the fun free events take place at night!
Check out the OC Museum Programs at the Boardwalk Tram Station. Ocean City Life Saving Museum hosts daily programs of different themes to educate and entertain children. Beginning at 10am each day, and last approximately 30 minutes. Want to learn about sharks? Thursdays are shark-themed! Want to learn how to spell your name using semaphore from the OC Beach Patrol? Tuesdays are Beach Safety-themed! Click here to see each daily theme.
Also, make sure to check out free events such as Beach Yoga every Sunday at 8am on 59th Street Beach, and the OC Cruzers Car Display on select Sundays on Somerset Street!
Check out other family friendly activities and things to do here!
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