Once your Thanksgiving feast is finished and the day’s football games wind down, the holiday magic begins in Avalon and Stone Harbor! Thanksgiving weekend brings days of festive traditions, family-friendly fun, local shopping, and holiday charm to Seven Mile Beach. From fun runs and Santa sightings to sparkling tree lightings and a beloved Christmas parade, there’s no shortage of reasons to make a trip down the shore as part of your holiday tradition this year.
Avalon gets the weekend off to a running start, literally, with the annual Turkey Trot 5K and 1.5-mile walk, benefiting the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children. Whether you’re racing for a personal best or strolling the route with family, every step supports the Diller Home’s mission of providing unforgettable summer camp experiences for children who are blind or visually impaired.
New for 2026, participants can skip the race-day crowds by picking up their race bibs and T-shirts on Wednesday, Nov. 25, from 1-3pm. Race-day registration and pickup will also be available beginning at 8am at Avalon Community Hall, with the race kicking off promptly at 10am. Awards will be presented to the top three men and women overall and the top three finishers in each age group. Participants are encouraged to sport their most festive attire for a chance to win a special prize. Register online at dillerblindhome.org.
After the Turkey Trot, head downtown for Festive Friday in Avalon, where the holiday season takes over Dune Drive from 11am-4pm. Sponsored by the 7 Mile Business Community Association, this celebration features more than 40 free family-friendly activities. Enjoy live music, face painting, balloon artists, fairy-hair tinsel for people and pups, and plenty of opportunities to snap photos with popular characters.
The afternoon festivities build toward one of Avalon’s most cherished traditions: Santa’s arrival and the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony with Mayor John McCorristin at 5pm at Veterans Plaza. Gather with family and friends as the community welcomes the holiday season with twinkling lights and a few surprises.
Avalon’s celebration continues Nov. 28 with Snowfest Saturday, bringing even more excitement downtown from 11am-4pm. Dune Drive between 20th and 30th streets becomes a winter playground filled with bounce houses, obstacle courses, slides, trampolines, a rock wall, and other attractions. Kids can write their letters to Santa and pose for a family photo with him in his sleigh at Veterans Plaza. Be sure to arrive by 3:30pm before Santa makes his return trip to the North Pole!
Enjoy festive entertainment by Corner Boys & Co., sponsored by the Avalon Free Public Library, and make time to explore the local shops offering special deals and discounts throughout the weekend. It’s the perfect opportunity to check off your holiday shopping list while supporting the small businesses that make Avalon special.
Please plan ahead: Dune Drive will be closed between 20th and 30th streets during Friday and Saturday’s events.
Meanwhile, Stone Harbor showcases its own holiday magic during Island Holiday Weekend. On Friday and Saturday, Nov. 27-28, the downtown district sparkles with seasonal decorations, welcoming storefronts, and festive activities for the whole family.
Friday kicks off with the Holiday Market and Carousel at the 95th Street Water Tower lot, open from 11am-5pm. Families can register at the market for a holiday scavenger hunt, enjoy a performance by Cape May Dancers at 12:45pm, and cheer on their four-legged friends during the Paw Prints Pet Parade on 96th Street at 1pm.
As evening approaches, gather along 96th Street for Stone Harbor’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, taking place from 5:45-6:15pm featuring Christmas Carols with the Seven Mile Island Players. Then, keep the holiday spirit going during the Chamber of Commerce Hospitality Night from 6-9pm, when the downtown business district welcomes shoppers with a festive evening of local shopping and small-town charm.
Saturday brings another full day of holiday fun! Start the morning with the Kids Holiday Downtown Dash, with registration beginning at 9:30am and the race starting at 10am. The Holiday Market and Carousel return to the 95th Street Water Tower lot from 11am-4pm, giving families another opportunity to shop for seasonal gifts, enjoy a carousel ride, and take part in the scavenger hunt.
As the sun goes down, find a spot along the route for Stone Harbor’s beloved Christmas Parade, beginning at 6:30pm. Featuring fire trucks, festive floats, community groups, and plenty of holiday cheer, this annual tradition is a highlight of the weekend. The parade begins on Third Avenue at 107th Street, travels along Third Avenue to 96th Street, turns right onto 96th Street to Second Avenue, then turns left onto Second Avenue to 95th Street. The parade turns right onto 95th Street and continues to the beach lot at 95th Street and First Avenue. There will be a Quiet zone on Second Ave. between 96th and 95th St.
For many families, Thanksgiving weekend on Seven Mile Beach is much more than a seasonal getaway. It’s an annual reunion, a chance to reconnect with friends, and a tradition that generations look forward to year after year.
From festive races and holiday markets to twinkling lights, local shopping, and cherished community traditions, Avalon and Stone Harbor offer countless ways to make memories with family and friends. Come experience the magic of the season and start your holiday celebrations in Avalon and Stone Harbor.
