Halloween week is here, with the 78th Halloween Parade rolling up Asbury Avenue on Thursday and trick-or-treating on Saturday night. Election Day follows on Tuesday, Nov. 3, with new polling places for part of town, and two big downtown projects move into their next phase. Here is what is happening in Ocean City this week, and what it means if you own a home here.
This weekend: Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 31-Nov. 1
- Trick-or-treating, Saturday, Oct. 31, 5 to 8 p.m. If you are at the shore house for Halloween, leave the porch light on during those hours.
Coming up
- Halloween Fest, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 6 to 8 p.m. Free, with games, candy, stories, music, crafts and a dry-ice station, at the Ocean City Free Public Library, 1735 Simpson Avenue. Costumes encouraged.
- Chamber of Commerce Welcome Night, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 6 to 7:30 p.m. A free chance to meet local groups, businesses and organizations at the Sports and Civic Center, 6th Street and the Boardwalk.
- 78th Annual Halloween Parade, Thursday, Oct. 29, 7:15 p.m. Up Asbury Avenue from 6th to 11th Street, run by the Exchange Club of Ocean City with the city. To enter, email oceancity_halloween@yahoo.com with your name, contact information, division and a description of your entry. Expect downtown streets and parking to fill early.
- Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. See the polling place change below.
- Looking ahead: Trail of Two Cities 5K, Saturday, Nov. 7. A point-to-point race from Ocean City to Somers Point over the 9th Street bridge. Registration is open through the city's race page; check with the organizer for the start time and any bridge traffic changes.
What owners should know
New polling place for the Second Ward. All five Second Ward districts (the south side of 4th Street to the north side of 12th Street) now vote at the Ocean City Civic Center, between 5th and 6th Streets just off the Boardwalk, with parking from 5th Street. Districts 1 and 5 used to vote at the 8th Street Recreation Center. The deadline to apply by mail for a mail-in ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 27. If you vote in Ocean City, check the city's updated polling list before you head out.
Old police headquarters demolition starts Tuesday. The city now says demolition of the former police headquarters on Central Avenue begins Tuesday, Oct. 27, and should take about five weeks. Neighbors should plan on limited alley access, closed driveways next to the site and daytime noise into early December.
Boardwalk rebuild, 14th to 16th Street. Demolition of this stretch was expected to wrap up last week, and construction of the new boardwalk is set to start this week. It is the third section rebuilt with a $4.9 million grant. Keep using the detour: exit at 14th Street and come back up at 17th.
Free water service line inspections. New Jersey American Water's contractor, CDM Smith, is inspecting service lines around town as part of the state-required lead line replacement program, with appointments expected through at least the end of October, weather permitting. Inspections are free; staff carry photo ID and wear high-visibility vests and will never ask for payment. You can also report your line material at njamwater.com/leadsurvey.
New business administrator. City Council approved Matt von der Hayden, most recently Stafford Township's administrator and once Ocean City's capital planning manager, as the city's next business administrator. He starts Nov. 23, succeeding the retiring George Savastano.
Airport terminal contract. Council also approved a $7.4 million construction contract for the new Leon and Elizabeth Grisbaum Airport Terminal, offset by a $3 million donation from Mr. Grisbaum. Plans include an operations center, golf pro shop, pilots' planning room and a full-service restaurant on the top floor.
The market this week
As of Oct. 25, there are about 238 homes, condos and townhomes for sale in Ocean City at an average list price near $2.17 million, and about 67 have sold in the past 30 days. For more detail, see our latest weekly market update, or find out what your home is worth.
Not on the island this week? Check the live beach and boardwalk cams.
Sources: Mayor's Update, Oct. 23, 2026; What's Happening in Ocean City: Oct. 24-31; New business administrator announcement; Second Ward polling place change; Water service line inspections; City of Ocean City race events; Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce events calendar; Chamber calendar, November 2026. Times and dates can change, so check with the organizer before you go.