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Cape May Welcomes Thanksgiving With Holiday Feasts, Christmas Magic and Coastal Charm

Issue #869

November 13, 2026

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

🎄Cape May Welcomes Thanksgiving With Holiday Feasts, Christmas Magic and Coastal Charm

🎭Dare to Walk After Dark? Cape May's Holiday Ghost Tours Begin Today

♫ Sounds of the Season: Ocean City Pops to Perform Two Holiday Concerts Thanksgiving Weekend

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: Shop Local

Here’s what’s going on in the Cape May Local Area👇

November 9

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Cape May Welcomes Thanksgiving With Holiday Feasts, Christmas Magic and Coastal Charm

Thanksgiving in Cape May offers more than a traditional turkey dinner. With its historic Victorian inns, inviting restaurants, charming downtown shops, and the first signs of Christmas magic, the seaside destination provides a memorable setting for families, couples, and visitors looking to celebrate the holiday along the Jersey Shore.

This year, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026, bringing an opportunity to enjoy Cape May's quieter coastal atmosphere while experiencing holiday dining, seasonal shopping, and festive attractions.

From elegant Thanksgiving dinners at historic hotels to Christmas celebrations and peaceful walks along the shoreline, Cape May offers plenty of reasons to make the long holiday weekend a cherished annual tradition. One of the biggest attractions of Thanksgiving in Cape May is the opportunity to enjoy a holiday feast without spending the day in the kitchen.

Several local restaurants and historic inns traditionally welcome guests for Thanksgiving meals, offering everything from classic turkey dinners to elaborate holiday buffets. Reservations are suggested, and guests are encouraged to book early as Thanksgiving dining is a popular tradition for both residents and visitors.

For those celebrating at home or in a vacation rental, local bakeries offer another way to make Thanksgiving special. A Piece of Cake has been noted for accepting holiday dessert orders, with November 22 listed as an ordering deadline. Customers should confirm this year's ordering arrangements directly with the bakery.

Thanksgiving weekend also marks the beginning of one of Cape May's most festive shopping seasons. The Washington Street Mall becomes a popular destination for visitors looking to browse locally owned boutiques, specialty shops, gift stores, and seasonal merchandise. The pedestrian-friendly shopping district, surrounded by Cape May's historic architecture, offers a welcoming alternative to crowded indoor shopping centers.

Visitors can explore unique gifts, holiday decorations, clothing, and locally inspired merchandise while enjoying the festive atmosphere of downtown Cape May. For many families, a Thanksgiving weekend stroll through Washington Street Mall is as much a tradition as the holiday meal itself. Cape May's Thanksgiving celebration blends naturally into the city's Christmas season.

One of the most anticipated seasonal attractions is the Winter Wonderland at Congress Hall. The historic beachfront hotel traditionally transforms its grounds into a festive holiday destination, featuring seasonal decorations, shopping opportunities, family activities, and attractions such as a Christmas carousel.

The holiday experience is expected to return around Thanksgiving week, although visitors should check the official 2026 schedule for opening dates and activity times.

The Christmas season also gets an early start at the Emlen Physick Estate, where the 21st Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2026. The free celebration includes live holiday music, a craft show, Victorian house tours, and Santa Claus illuminating the estate's Christmas tree.

Together, these seasonal traditions help transform Cape May from a peaceful autumn getaway into a festive Victorian Christmas destination. Families looking for a memorable holiday adventure can also consider the Cape May Seashore Lines Santa Express.

Cape May is internationally recognized as an important destination for migrating birds, and late fall offers opportunities to observe coastal wildlife along the Delaware Bay and Atlantic flyway.

Two popular destinations include South Cape May Meadows and Cape May Point State Park. Both offer opportunities for peaceful walks, birdwatching, and enjoying the natural beauty of the Cape May peninsula. A walk along the beach or promenade is another simple way to appreciate the quieter side of Cape May during Thanksgiving weekend.

Holiday operating hours may differ from regular schedules, and reservations are strongly recommended wherever available.

Whether enjoying a traditional turkey dinner overlooking the ocean, shopping for Christmas gifts in the heart of downtown, or taking a quiet walk along the beach, Thanksgiving in Cape May offers a distinctive combination of coastal relaxation and holiday charm.

For many visitors, it is the perfect way to celebrate Thanksgiving while welcoming the magic of Christmas at the Jersey Shore.

Dare to Walk After Dark? Cape May's Holiday Ghost Tours Begin Today

Historic Cold Spring Village in Cape May is adding a haunting twist to the 2026 holiday season with its Holiday Ghost Walks, a series of nighttime guided tours combining local legends, historical storytelling, and tales of mysterious encounters. The special seasonal experience offers residents and visitors a unique alternative to traditional Christmas activities while highlighting the history and folklore of South Jersey.

The tours are scheduled for November 13, 20, 21, 27, and 28, along with December 11, 12, 18, and 19. Each walk begins at 7 p.m. at Cold Spring Brewery, located at 735 Seashore Road in Cape May, and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Groups are limited to 25 participants per tour, making advance ticket reservations especially important.

During the evening walks, guests explore the historic village grounds while guides share ghost stories, reported paranormal experiences, and mysterious legends associated with the area's past. The village's preserved 19th-century buildings, quiet pathways, and nighttime setting create an atmospheric backdrop for an experience that combines historical interest with seasonal suspense.

The Holiday Ghost Walks are particularly appealing to visitors spending Thanksgiving weekend or the Christmas season in Cape May. With the region offering holiday shopping, festive dining, Victorian Christmas attractions, and seasonal entertainment, the tours provide another way to enjoy the area's rich history.

Guests should enter through the Seashore Road entrance near Cold Spring Brewery, dress appropriately for cold evening temperatures, and wear comfortable footwear. Tickets can be purchased through Historic Cold Spring Village's online booking system.

For anyone who enjoys local history, mysterious legends, and a little holiday-season suspense, Historic Cold Spring Village's Holiday Ghost Walks offer a distinctive way to experience Cape May after dark.

Ocean City Unwraps 2026 Holiday Festivities With Free Family Fun and Christmas Traditions

Ocean City, New Jersey, will launch its 2026 holiday season Nov. 14 with Winterfest By The Sea. Free horse-drawn carriage rides begin Nov. 21, followed by downtown Christmas shopping events, Santa visits, holiday concerts and family activities. The annual Christmas Parade takes place Dec. 4 along Asbury Avenue. The festivities offer residents and visitors a variety of ways to celebrate the season at the Jersey Shore

Ocean City, New Jersey, is preparing to celebrate the 2026 holiday season with a festive lineup of family-friendly activities, including free horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa Claus, holiday shopping, live entertainment and the city's annual Christmas Parade. The celebrations begin Saturday, Nov. 14, with the sixth annual Winterfest By The Sea at the Ocean City Civic Center. The indoor holiday market, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature local vendors, seasonal gifts, crafts, holiday treats and special appearances by Santa and other festive characters.

One of the season's most anticipated traditions, free horse-drawn carriage rides through downtown Ocean City, returns Saturday, Nov. 21, from noon to 3 p.m. Additional rides are scheduled for Nov. 27 through 29, with more opportunities planned on weekends throughout December. Also on Nov. 21, downtown merchants will host the popular Earlier than the Bird Shopping Extravaganza from 8 a.m. to noon, inviting shoppers to wear pajamas while enjoying early-morning discounts and holiday specials along Asbury Avenue.

The holiday excitement continues Friday, Nov. 27, with Ocean City's annual Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue celebration. Beginning at 2 p.m., the downtown shopping district will welcome families for an afternoon of seasonal entertainment, shopping and Christmas festivities, culminating in Santa Claus's anticipated arrival around 5 p.m. Throughout Thanksgiving weekend, children will have additional opportunities to meet Santa at Mark Soifer Park, located at Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue, and pose for memorable holiday photographs with him inside a lifeguard boat outside the Ocean City Music Pier.

Music lovers can celebrate the season Saturday, Nov. 28, when the Ocean City Pops Orchestra presents two special holiday concerts at the Music Pier. Led by conductor Vince Lee, the performances at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. will feature a festive combination of traditional Christmas favorites and contemporary seasonal music. Tickets are required for both performances.

Another highlight of the holiday season will be Ocean City's annual Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 4, beginning at 6 p.m. The parade will travel along Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 11th Street, bringing marching bands, colorful floats, dance teams, local organizations and costumed characters into the heart of downtown. The celebration will also feature an appearance by the Grinch, with Santa Claus riding in a horse-drawn carriage to close out the procession.

Additional community traditions include the annual Fast & Furriest 5K Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26, benefiting the Humane Society of Ocean City, and a community Thanksgiving service at St. Frances Cabrini Church on Nov. 24.

With holiday decorations, festive storefronts, seasonal music and activities for all ages, Ocean City is transforming its downtown district into a welcoming Christmas destination. From browsing local shops and enjoying a nostalgic carriage ride to meeting Santa and watching the annual parade, residents and visitors will have numerous opportunities to experience the magic of the holidays at the Jersey Shore.

Most of the featured downtown activities are free, making Ocean City's holiday celebrations an appealing option for families looking to enjoy the Christmas season without traveling far from home. Additional events and carriage rides are expected throughout December, with updated schedules available through Ocean City's official tourism website.

 Answer to the November 12th Trivia Question 

What significant event boosted tourism in Cape May, New Jersey in 1863?

A) The opening of the Cape May Canal
B) The completion of Congress Hall
C) The designation as a National Historic Landmark
D) The opening of the Tuckahoe and Cape May Railroad

Answer: D) The opening of the Tuckahoe and Cape May Railroad

The opening of the Tuckahoe and Cape May Railroad in 1863 significantly boosted tourism in Cape May by making the area more accessible to visitors​

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