DOWNBEACH - Living at the shore offers numerous opportunities to celebrate the holiday season. All three Downbeach towns hold community events to celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas, and to ring in the New Year.
Here is a list of events being held this year in Ventnor, Margate and Longport.
Ventnor
Monday, Dec. 16, 6 p.m.
Living Nativity, St. James Church, 6415 Atlantic Ave.
Includes live animals, carols and children representing the Holy Family.
Friday, Dec. 20, starting at 5:30 p.m.
Ventnor City Fire Department escorts Santa around town.
Wednesday, Dec. 25, 4:15 p.m.
Community Menorah Lighting at the Chai Center, 6601 Atlantic Ave.
Enjoy hot chocolate, donuts, latkes and a fire show. Open to all.
Thursday, Dec. 26, 5 p.m.
Hanukkah Menorah Lighting at City Hall, 6201 Atlantic Ave.
Jan. 1, 2025, 1 p.m.
Polar Bear Plunge on Newport Avenue beach. Family Winter Festival at St. James Hall, 12-5 p.m. includes food vendors, coffee, hot chocolate, inflatables, DJ Scott Rainear.
Also, before and after party at Santucci's Original Square Pizza, 6413 Ventnor. Ave. The fun starts at 11 a.m.
Margate
Tuesday, Dec. 17, 4-5 p.m.
Village by the Shore Holiday Social
Marjorie & Lewis Katz JCC Auditorium, 501 N. Jerome Ave.
Holiday get-together with members of the Village by the Shore group. Dinner and dancing with Package Goods band, door prizes. Free for Holocaust survivors, Village members, $5 RSVP Tina Serota at 609-287-8872.
Monday, Dec. 23, 4-6 p.m.
Margate Community Church Live Nativity
Join the parish for its annual Live Nativity in front of the stately brick church on Ventnor Avenue in the Parkway section.
Hear the Christmas story, see and pet live animals, sing Christmas carols.
Longport
Monday, Dec. 16, starting at 6 p.m.
Longport Volunteer Fire Department escorts Santa around the borough. Families with children under age 10 interested in having Santa visit their location, should call the Longport Public Library, 609-487-7403 in advance.
