Ocean City Unveils 2026 Night in Venice Weekend Guide

Ocean City is gearing up for its 71st Night in Venice boat parade, and the city just dropped the official 2026 guide. If you’re wondering when and where to be, here’s the low‑down.

The festivities kick off at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 25. The parade will set sail near the Ocean City‑Longport toll bridge, wind its way along the bayside and loop through a handful of lagoons before reaching Tennessee Avenue. Think of it as a gentle river cruise, only with dozens of twinkling boats and a crowd of happy onlookers.

Want a free place to watch? The city is offering first‑come, first‑served grandstands at street ends from Battersea Road all the way to 16th Street, plus a spot at Tennessee Avenue. The official list includes Battersea Road, North Street, First Street, Sixth Street, Seventh Street, 11th Street, 13th Street, 15th Street, 16th Street and Tennessee Avenue. If you’ve got a portable chair, you can also set up on other public street ends or the little bayside park at Second Street.

For those who’d rather stay under a roof, the Bayside Center at 520 Bay Avenue will open its doors for family‑friendly entertainment. Expect a picnic zone, Jay’s Crab Shack food truck, face‑painting, a DJ spinning tunes and bleacher seating. Tickets are $6 for kids twelve and under and $10 for adults – service fees are already baked in.

Parking headache? Not this year. Free parking lots will be open from 4 p.m. at three spots: the Ocean City Municipal Airport, the soccer field on Tennessee Avenue, and the Ocean City Community Center at 1735 Simpson Avenue. From there, shuttles will whisk you to the street‑end viewing areas and the Bayside Center, then bring you back when the night winds down. The shuttles run until 10 p.m.

Heads‑up on traffic: all day July 25, Bay Avenue between 14th Street and Tennessee Avenue will be a no‑parking zone, and the entrance triangles to West 16th, West 17th and West 18th Streets will be off‑limits. Violators risk a tow, so plan ahead. One‑way patterns will also be in place on Spruce Road, Walnut Road, Arkansas Avenue and Michigan Avenue in the Riviera neighborhood.

This year’s optional theme is “Stars, Stripes and Christmas Lights,” a nod to the nation’s 250th birthday and a playful “Christmas in July.” Former Phillies star John Kruk and actor Randy Quaid have been tapped as grand marshals. You’ll also see costumed historical figures – Santa, Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross, George Washington, Martha Washington and Thomas Jefferson – adding a whimsical touch.

The fireworks finale is slated to start somewhere between 9:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., depending on when the parade winds down. Winners of the decorating contests will be announced on the city’s website (ocnj.us) and oceancityvacation.com by noon on Sunday, July 26, with awards pick‑up beginning at 1 p.m. in the City Hall Welcome Center.

All in all, whether you’re a lifelong resident or a first‑time visitor, the Night in Venice weekend promises a relaxed evening of lights, music, food and a splash of patriotism. Pack a blanket, bring the kids, and enjoy one of Ocean City’s most beloved traditions.