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Inside Cape May's Jingle Bar: Christmas Tree Cocktails, Heated Grinch Tent and Holiday Parties

Issue #871

November 15, 2026

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

🎄Inside Cape May's Jingle Bar: Christmas Tree Cocktails, Heated Grinch Tent and Holiday Parties

🪐South Jersey Skies to Dazzle as Mars, Jupiter and Leonid Meteors Align This Week

💉Don't Let the Flu Crash Your Holidays: Free Vaccines Available in Cape May County

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

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

 November 15

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Inside Cape May's Jingle Bar: Christmas Tree Cocktails, Heated Grinch Tent and Holiday Parties

Christmas cheer is flowing in Cape May, where one beachfront restaurant is taking holiday cocktails to a whole new level — serving them on miniature Christmas trees. Jingle Bar has officially returned to Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille, transforming the popular oceanfront destination into a winter wonderland filled with sparkling lights, elaborate decorations, creative seasonal cocktails and a packed calendar of holiday celebrations.

The festive pop-up opened Friday, November 13, and will continue through the end of December, offering visitors another reason to experience Cape May during the holiday season.

One of Jingle Bar’s biggest attractions is its eye-catching cocktail Christmas tree, a tabletop display that holds four festive drinks for $60. Larger versions featuring six or eight cocktails are also available, making the display a popular option for groups celebrating the season together.

Guests can select from several specialty drinks, including the bright green Jingle Grinch, the peppermint-infused Jingle Bell Candy Cane Crush and the rich Espresso Peppermint-Tini. The expanded holiday cocktail menu also features Snowflake Eggnog, Blue Christmas, Mistletoe Margarita, Gingerbread Old Fashioned, Santa’s Naughty Tiramisu and several other seasonal creations.

With colorful ingredients, candy cane rims, edible glitter and festive garnishes, the drinks are designed to be just as memorable in photos as they are on the menu.

This year's celebration introduces a heated outdoor tent inspired by the Grinch, giving visitors another festive space to enjoy during Cape May's colder months. Outdoor fire pits add to the cozy atmosphere, while the restaurant's interior features floor-to-ceiling Christmas decorations, twinkling lights and holiday-themed photo opportunities.

The combination of elaborate decorations, seasonal music and oceanfront surroundings creates a distinctive holiday experience for couples, families and groups of friends. Jingle Bar's entertainment schedule includes special events throughout November and December, with something for nearly every type of holiday celebration.

Families can enjoy Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 12, from 10 a.m. to noon. The event includes a breakfast buffet, opportunities for photos with Santa and a small gift for children. Tickets are $29.99 for adults and $19.99 for children, plus applicable taxes and gratuity. Children younger than 3 can attend free with a ticket. Later that evening, the restaurant will host an Ugly Sweater Party featuring festive drinks, holiday outfits, contests and prizes.

On December 19, the Grinch takes center stage during a themed morning brunch, followed by a Grinch vs. Santa costume party that evening. Guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite holiday character and compete in costume categories.

Other scheduled activities include holiday karaoke on December 18, live entertainment and seasonal promotions.

For those looking to celebrate after Christmas, the Holiday Hangover event on December 26 will feature $11 holiday cocktails, festive food and music.

Jingle Bar is also offering weekday celebrations for guests who prefer a more relaxed holiday outing. Starting December 8, Tuesday Locals' Nights will give area residents a chance to enjoy the decorations and seasonal atmosphere away from the busiest weekend crowds.

Wednesday's Jingle Belles & Cocktails promotion begins November 25 and features $11 holiday cocktails throughout the evening.

The celebration will conclude with a New Year's Eve party featuring dinner specials, music from a DJ, dancing and an open bar from 9 p.m. until midnight.

South Jersey Skies to Dazzle as Mars, Jupiter and Leonid Meteors Align This Week

South Jersey residents will have an opportunity to witness several spectacular celestial events during the week of November 16–18, 2026, as Mars and Jupiter appear unusually close together in the early morning sky while the annual Leonid meteor shower reaches its peak. The combination of bright planets, shooting stars and potentially favorable weather conditions could make this one of November's most exciting weeks for local skywatchers.

Mars and Jupiter will reach their closest apparent alignment before sunrise on Monday, November 16, appearing just 1.2 degrees apart. Although the two planets will seem almost side by side, they are actually separated by hundreds of millions of miles. Jupiter will be the brighter, cream-colored object, while Mars will appear as a smaller, reddish-orange light nearby. Both planets will remain close together through Wednesday, giving residents several opportunities to observe the pairing without special equipment. The best viewing time will be between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m., when the planets will be high in the south-southeastern sky.

Adding to the celestial excitement, the Leonid meteor shower will peak overnight Tuesday, November 17, into Wednesday morning, November 18. Under ideal conditions, observers may see approximately 10 to 15 meteors per hour, with occasional brighter streaks illuminating the night sky. The Leonids occur annually when Earth passes through debris left behind by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, which orbits the sun approximately every 33 years. Although the shower has historically produced extraordinary meteor storms, astronomers anticipate a more typical display this year.

Wednesday morning could offer the best overall viewing experience because the moon will set around midnight, leaving darker skies for meteor watching. The meteors will appear to originate from the constellation Leo, although they can streak across virtually any part of the sky. Venus will provide another attraction, shining brightly above the east-southeastern horizon shortly before sunrise.

Residents throughout Cape May county can improve their viewing opportunities by choosing locations away from streetlights and heavily populated areas. Open beaches, rural farmland and areas along the Delaware Bay shoreline may provide excellent views, particularly where the horizon is unobstructed. No telescope or binoculars are necessary to enjoy the meteor shower, although binoculars may help observers spot some of Jupiter's largest moons.

Weather conditions will play an important role in determining visibility. Forecasts available November 14 suggest that skies could become mostly clear early in the week, particularly Monday and Tuesday nights. However, temperatures may fall into the upper 20s in some inland communities, making warm clothing, blankets and comfortable seating important for anyone planning an extended viewing session.

For the best results, skywatchers should head outdoors after midnight for the meteor shower or between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. for the planetary display. Allowing 15 to 20 minutes for eyes to adjust to the darkness and looking across a wide section of the sky can increase the chances of spotting shooting stars.

The early morning hours of Wednesday, November 18, may provide South Jersey residents with the best opportunity to see Mars, Jupiter, Venus and the Leonid meteors during a single outing. With no expensive equipment required, this week's astronomical events offer families, photography enthusiasts and astronomy lovers an accessible opportunity to experience the wonders of the night sky, weather permitting.

Don't Let the Flu Crash Your Holidays: Free Vaccines Available in Cape May County

Flu season is here, Cape May! With Thanksgiving just around the corner and holiday gatherings quickly approaching, local health officials are reminding residents that now is a good time to roll up their sleeves and get their annual flu shot.

The good news? It's not too late to get vaccinated, and there are several locations throughout Cape May County where residents can receive a flu shot, including free county vaccination programs, pharmacies and urgent care centers.

Influenza activity typically increases during the fall and winter, often peaking between December and February. Flu viruses can continue circulating well into the spring, sometimes through May. Because it takes approximately two weeks after vaccination for the body to develop protective antibodies, getting your flu shot now can help provide protection ahead of the busiest holiday weeks.

Free Flu Shots Available Through Cape May County

The Cape May County Department of Health offers seasonal influenza vaccinations at no charge through its public vaccination program. Regular flu vaccines and high-dose options for eligible older adults are offered while supplies last. The county also provides vaccination opportunities at community locations, helping make flu prevention more accessible to residents.

Upcoming clinics listed in the supplied county information include:

  • Monday, November 16: Ocean City Senior Center, 1735 Simpson Avenue, Ocean City, from 10 to 11 a.m.

  • Wednesday, November 18: Cape May County Department of Health, 6 Moore Road, Cape May Court House.

  • Sunday, November 22: Sea Isle City VFW, Sea Isle City.

Residents should confirm the dates, hours, eligibility requirements and vaccine availability before traveling, as clinic schedules can change. For more information, visit the Cape May County Seasonal Influenza page or call the county flu hotline at 609-463-6581.

Where Else Can You Get a Flu Shot?

Residents who cannot attend a county clinic have several other options throughout the area.

Local CVS, Walgreens, Walmart and ACME pharmacies offer seasonal influenza vaccinations at participating locations. Urgent care providers, including Cooper and AtlantiCare, are additional places to inquire about vaccination services.

Many insurance plans, including Medicare Part B, cover recommended flu vaccines without out-of-pocket costs when coverage requirements are met. Residents without insurance should ask about pricing before their visit.

Why Getting Vaccinated Matters

The flu is more than a seasonal inconvenience. It is a contagious respiratory illness that can cause fever, coughing, sore throat, body aches, fatigue and other symptoms.

Although many people recover within several days to two weeks, influenza can sometimes lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and hospitalization. Certain groups face a higher risk of severe illness, including adults 65 and older, young children, pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends an annual influenza vaccination for nearly everyone ages 6 months and older, with rare exceptions. Vaccination cannot guarantee that someone will avoid the flu, but it can reduce the risk of infection and serious complications.

Don't Wait Until the Flu Is Spreading Through Your Household

With Thanksgiving celebrations, school activities, holiday shopping and family gatherings approaching, residents have plenty of reasons to consider getting vaccinated sooner rather than later. Along with vaccination, everyday precautions such as frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, improving indoor ventilation and staying home when sick can help limit the spread of respiratory viruses. Even if you've missed the early fall vaccination window, getting a flu shot later in the season can still provide important protection.

Find a Flu Shot Near You

Cape May County Department of Health

6 Moore Road, Cape May Court House, NJ

County Flu Hotline: 609-463-6581

Flu season is underway, but Cape May County residents still have time to protect themselves and their loved ones. Whether you choose a free county clinic, your family physician or a local pharmacy, getting vaccinated can help make this holiday season a healthier one.

In what year was Cape May incorporated as a city?

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 Answer to the November 14th Trivia Question 

In 1885, an unusual attraction was built in South Cape May—a large 'Lucy‑type elephant' structure called the "Light of Asia." What was its primary purpose?

A. A seaside amusement ride
B. A lighthouse guiding ships
C. A real estate office and observation pavilion
D. A restaurant and dance hall

Answer: C. A real estate office and observation pavilion

The "Light of Asia" was a large elephant-shaped building, similar to the more famous Lucy the Elephant in Margate. It was constructed in South Cape May in 1885 to attract potential land buyers, serving as both a real estate office and an observation deck overlooking the ocean.

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