Santa makes his grand entrance on stage at the Band Shell in Excursion Park to join Mayor Leonard Desiderio during the 2023 holiday celebration.
No matter how busy he may be at the North Pole getting ready for Christmas, Santa Claus always makes sure that he visits Sea Isle City to spread plenty of holiday cheer.
The same is true for this year. Santa will be the star attraction for Sea Isle’s holiday parade Friday night. He will pull double duty after the parade by joining Mayor Leonard Desiderio to light the city’s 30-foot-tall Christmas tree in Excursion Park.
The parade and tree lighting ceremony are part of a busy schedule of holiday-themed events in Sea Isle this weekend.
The parade will get underway at 6:30 p.m. Friday at 49th Street and Central Avenue. It will run south on Central to 59th Street, then turn east on 59th to Landis Avenue and then continue north to 40th Street, where it will end next to Excursion Park.
It will feature floats, costumed characters, local civic organizations, a fleet of decorated fire engines from neighboring communities and, of course, Santa.
Shown in 2023, the 30-foot-tall Christmas tree will again be lighted up Friday night. Immediately after the parade, the fun continues at the Excursion Park Band Shell for a sing-along of Christmas carols with Mayor Desiderio and Santa.
After the singing, Santa will flip a switch to light the giant Christmas tree overlooking Excursion Park. Once the tree is lit, children will be invited onto the Band Shell’s stage for photos with Santa and treats.
Before the parade, the festivities will begin on Friday afternoon at the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce’s “Winter Village” extravaganza featuring shopping and dining tents at Excursion Park.
An array of holiday gifts, crafts and edible delights will be on sale at the Winter Village from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday.
The festival will continue Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with shopping and dining tents. There will also be free family-friendly entertainment at Excursion Park, including photos with Santa and the Grinch, bounce houses, face painters, balloon artists, craft tables, games, music, an ice sculpting demonstration and more.
