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Beautiful Cape May, Philadelphia, PA (2026)

10/20/2026

🦃 Thanksgiving at the Shore 2026 🦃

Before the turkey, after the pie, and all through the long weekend, here's what's happening around Cape May County and the surrounding South Jersey Shore counties.

‼️ Events can be moved or rescheduled, so it's always best to call or check their website for the latest news.

1. 🐾 Fast and the Furriest 5K Turkey Trot, Thursday 8:30 AM, Ocean City Music Pier. A boardwalk 5K for the Humane Society of Ocean City. Register by Nov 22. 🐶

2. 🏃 TJ Hunt Memorial 5K Turkey Trot, Thursday 9 AM, Wildwood Crest Pier. Run the 5K or walk the mile, then head to the after-party at MudHen Brewing. 🍺

3. 🦒 Cape May County Park & Zoo is open Thanksgiving Day with free admission. Go early, because holiday hours run short. 🐆

4. 🍂 South Vineland Thanksgiving Run, Thursday 9 AM, Anthony Campanella Park. A 3-mile cross-country trot for the Friends of Vineland Public Library. 📚

5. 👟 Diller Vacation Home Turkey Trot, Friday 10 AM, Avalon. Run the 5K or walk 1.5 miles to kick off Festive Friday. 🎉

6. 🎠 Winter Wonderland at Congress Hall opens Friday, Nov 27. The carousel, train rides and vendor village run through New Year's Eve. 🚂

7. 🎁 Sea Isle City Winter Village at Excursion Park, Friday 11 AM to 8 PM and Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM. 🛍️

8. 🎅 Sea Isle Mayor's Procession & Tree Lighting with Santa, Friday 6 PM, from JFK Blvd to Excursion Park. 🎄

9. 🌲 EHT Nature Reserve Turkey Trot, Saturday, Nov 28 in Egg Harbor Township. A 5K and a 1-miler on the trails. 🥾

10. 🧶 Brigantine Ugly Sweater Run & Family Frolic, Saturday, Nov 28. Wear your worst sweater. 😂

🤲 Not everyone in our community will have a full table this Thanksgiving. If you can, consider giving an hour or a few dollars to the people who make sure no one goes without. The Salvation Army, the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, Catholic Charities in Cape May Court House, and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey all count on volunteers and donations this time of year. Drop off a frozen turkey or a bag of canned goods, sign up to serve a meal, or sort food at a pantry. Even a small gift goes a long way, and it might just be the best part of your holiday. 💛

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Beautiful Cape May 🍂

10/19/2026

🕎 Eight nights of light are almost here, South Jersey Shore!

Hanukkah begins at sundown Friday, December 4 and runs through Saturday, December 12. Here’s where to celebrate the Festival of Lights from Cape May to Toms River 👇

‼️ Events can be moved or rescheduled, so it's always best to call or check their website for the latest news.

CAPE MAY COUNTY

✨ Nightly Menorah Lighting, Ocean City
A new candle is lit at nightfall each night of Hanukkah on the front lawn of City Hall, 861 Asbury Ave. Ocean City events

🏛️ Historic Facade Menorah, Wildwood
The tall menorah built right into the wall of Beth Judah Temple, a National Register landmark, glows every night of the holiday. Beth Judah Temple

🥯 Sunday Brunch & Art Show, Wildwood
Sunday, Dec 6, 9:30 AM to 1 PM at Beth Judah Temple, Pacific & Spencer Aves. Bagels, lox, blintzes, omelets and local art. Get tickets

📜 Sam Azeez Museum of Woodbine Heritage, Woodbine
Step inside an 1890s synagogue built by Jewish farm colonists and explore one of South Jersey’s most remarkable stories. Plan your visit

ATLANTIC COUNTY

🏙️ City Menorah Lighting, Ventnor
Monday, Dec 7 at 4:30 PM in front of Ventnor City Hall, 6201 Atlantic Ave. Ventnor events calendar

🔥 Chabad Menorah Lighting, Ventnor
A 5 PM community lighting at Chabad at the Shore on Atlantic Ave. Date to be announced. Chabad at the Shore

🍸 NextGen Vodka & Latkes, Margate
Tuesday, Dec 8, 7 to 9 PM at Sunrise Tequila Bar & Restaurant. Festive drinks, gourmet latkes and holiday donuts for young adults. Event details

OCEAN COUNTY

🌟 Ocean County Menorah Lighting, Toms River
The county’s annual lighting returns to the Ocean County Administration Building, 101 Hooper Ave. Date to be announced. Ocean County

Tag someone you’d celebrate with, and save this post for the holiday week! Chag sameach from all of us 💙

10/18/2026

👽 Martians are invading, the scarecrows are watching, and a jazz legend is coming to Convention Hall. Cape May doesn't take the week off in October, and these Monday through Thursday finds prove it. Here are the 10 best ways to fill your midweek at the shore. 👻

‼️ Events can be moved or rescheduled, so it's always best to call or check their website for the latest news.

🎃 Scarecrow Alley at the Emlen Physick Estate (Monday through Thursday, daily). The grounds of Cape May's original haunted house have been taken over by a parade of funny and frightful scarecrows lining the walkways. Stroll the estate at your own pace, snap a few photos, and cast your vote for your favorite before the season ends. 🍂

🏚️ Department 56 Halloween Exhibit (Monday through Thursday, 10am to 4pm). Nearly 100 miniature spooky houses, bizarre characters, bats, cats, and pumpkins fill the enclosed entrance porch of the Physick House. Admission is free, and the detail in this tiny haunted village is something kids and collectors alike will love. 🦇

🏛️ Cape May: The First and Only Exhibit at the Carroll Gallery (Monday through Thursday, 9am to 5pm). This free, once in a lifetime exhibit celebrates two milestones at once: Cape May's 175th year as a city and its 50th as the nation's only National Historic Landmark City. It's the perfect rainy day or slow morning stop on the Physick Estate grounds. 📜

🦅 Birding Northwood and Beyond (Tuesday, 8:30am to 10:30am). Join Cape May Bird Observatory naturalists for a relaxed two hour walk around the Northwood Center and Lily Lake in Cape May Point. Fall migration brings songbirds, waterfowl, and raptors through, and the route changes based on what's flying that day ($12). 🌿

👽 War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast (Wednesday and Thursday, 7pm). East Lynne Theater Company recreates Orson Welles' infamous 1938 radio drama, the broadcast that convinced listeners that Martians were landing in New Jersey. Performed in vintage radio show style with live sound effects at the Clemans Theater for the Arts on Franklin Street, tickets run $40 with discounts for seniors, students, and military. 📻

🔍 The Woeful Widows Society Murder Mystery Dinner (Wednesday, 7:30pm). Enjoy a three course dinner at the historic Chalfonte Hotel while an original murder mystery unfolds around your table. A group of widows with nothing in common except their husbands' suspicious deaths sets out to find the truth, and you get a front row seat; advance tickets are required. 🍷

🐦 E-Z Birding at Cape May Point State Park (Thursday, 8am to 10am). This beginner friendly guided walk explores woods, fields, ponds, dunes, and beach with CMBO naturalists who teach you how to find and identify birds. Thursday is the final session of the season, so preregister now and don't miss it ($12). 🔭

🪕 Howard Street Ramble at the Chalfonte (Thursday, 6pm to 9pm). This beloved gathering of musicians turns the Chalfonte Hotel's porch into one of Cape May's most charming live music scenes. Grab a spot out front, soak in the music, and see why locals keep coming back week after week. 🎶

🥃 The Symposium and Open Mic at Nauti Spirits Distillery (Thursday, 6pm to 9pm). Head out to the distillery on Shunpike Road for an evening of spirited history talks, demonstrations, and local musicians and artists. It's a laid back, only in Cape May way to wind down your Thursday with a craft cocktail in hand. 🍸

🎷 Opening Night: Orrin Evans Meets Kurt Elling (Thursday, 7pm). Two time GRAMMY winning vocalist and Broadway star Kurt Elling joins acclaimed pianist Orrin Evans at Cape May Convention Hall to kick off the Autumn Exit Zero Jazz Festival. Proceeds support the Cape May Jazz Festival Foundation's music education programs, so you'll be helping young musicians while enjoying a world class show. 🎹

Which of these is making your calendar this week? Tell us in the comments, and share this post with the friend who's always looking for an excuse to head down the shore. See you in Cape May!

10/15/2026

🍂 Cape May is putting on one of its best fall weekends of the year! From soaring hawks and glowing lighthouses to haunted village lanes, Halloween Jeeps, a vineyard 5K, and a closing night curtain call, this Friday through Sunday is packed with one of a kind experiences you will not want to miss. Here are the 10 best special events happening in and around Cape May this weekend, October 16 to 18! 💨

‼️ Events can be moved or rescheduled, so it's always best to call or check their website for the latest news.

1. 🦅 Cape May Fall Festival and The Nature Place
Friday, October 16 through Sunday, October 18 | Daytime hours, closing at 3 PM on Sunday | Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Ave.

This year is extra special because the Cape May Bird Observatory is celebrating its 50th anniversary! Convention Hall transforms into The Nature Place, packed with nature artists, top optics brands, international birding tour companies, and live animal shows from Nature Nick that kids and adults love. Even if you are not registered for the festival's field trips, this is the perfect time to walk over to Cape May Point and watch the famous fall raptor migration with the experts in town. 🔭

2. 🗼 Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey
Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18 | 8 AM to 6 PM | Cape May Lighthouse, 215 Light House Ave., Cape May Point State Park.

Only one weekend a year can you take the challenge to visit 11 lighthouse sites, 4 lifesaving stations, and 1 museum across New Jersey in just two days. Start right here at the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse, register for $10, and collect a wooden token at every stop to fill your souvenir map of colonial New Jersey. It is a fun road trip adventure for families and history lovers, and it supports lighthouse preservation. ⚓

3. 🚢 Grand Lighthouse Cruise "Delaware Bay Adventure"
Saturday, October 17 | 10 AM to 3 PM | Cape May Whale Watcher, 1218 Wilson Dr.

This is the final scheduled sailing of the season for this unforgettable cruise to nine historic offshore lighthouses in the Delaware Bay, including Brandyw**e Shoal and Ship John Shoal. These lonely sentinels stand on pedestals out of sight of land and are best seen by boat. The cruise includes a narrated history of each lighthouse plus breakfast and a captain's lunch buffet. Adults $159.95, children $135. 🌊

4. 🎃 Ghoul Spring Village
Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17 | 5:30 PM to 8 PM | Historic Cold Spring Village, 735 Seashore Rd.

New Jersey's largest open air living history museum turns spooky for the season! Stroll the haunted lanes of the 1800s village as ghouls and goblins roam the historic buildings. There is a less scary walk for little ones and a spookier side for those who dare, with trick or treat candy at the end. Bring the whole family for a festive fall night out. 👻

5. 🚙 The Creepy Jeepy Show
Saturday, October 17 | 9 AM to 4 PM | Cape May County Park & Zoo, 707 Route 9 North, Cape May Court House

Up to 225 Halloween decorated Jeeps will take over the main lawn of the zoo for one of the most creative car shows of the year. Expect spooky builds, a Jeep decorating contest, trunk or treat from Jeep to Jeep, and costume contests for kids and adults, with trophies for the best. Spectators can enjoy the show and the free zoo all in one trip, and every Jeep ticket includes a donation to the zoo. 🕸️

6. 🔦 Night Walk at the Zoo
Saturday, October 17 | 6:30 PM | Cape May County Park & Zoo, 707 Route 9 North, Cape May Court House

Ever wonder what the animals do after the gates close? This special after hours guided tour gives you a rare look at the zoo at night, with zookeepers sharing stories along the way and a chance to see nocturnal animals in action. Tickets are required and this event tends to sell fast, so grab yours now and do not forget your flashlight! 🦉

7. 🕵️ Cape May Halloween with the Agatha Christie Dinner Theatre
Saturday, October 17 | 6:30 PM to 9 PM | The Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St.

Enjoy a seaside dinner and a Halloween edition of this beloved whodunnit, where Hercule Poirot needs YOUR help to crack the case. Expect fine dining, good drinks, song, and a delightfully spooky mystery full of twists. It is a perfect date night or group outing right on the beach. 🍷

8. 🎭 "Your Name Means Dream" Closing Weekend
Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17 at 7 PM | Sunday, October 18 at 3 PM | Cape May Stage, Robert Shackleton Playhouse, 405 Lafayette St.

This is your last chance to see Cape May Stage's acclaimed production of José Rivera's moving new play, directed by Roy Steinberg. The story explores identity, love, memory, and what it means to be human as artificial intelligence reshapes our lives. It runs 90 minutes with no intermission in one of the most intimate theaters at the Shore, and the final curtain falls Sunday afternoon. 🌟

9. 🏃 Run the Vineyards Down the Shore 5K
Sunday, October 18 | Race starts at 9 AM | Cape May Winery, 711 Townbank Rd.

The 14th annual edition of this popular race sells out every year, and it is easy to see why. The mostly flat, paved course finishes with a quarter mile run right through the beautifully manicured vineyard, followed by a post race party with a glass of Cape May w**e and a souvenir stemless w**e glass. Proceeds benefit the HEADstrong Foundation. 🍇

10. 🎡 Wildwoods Fall Festival
Saturday, October 17 | Starting at 11 AM | Fox Park, Ocean Ave., Wildwood

Just a short drive up the coast, this free family festival brings food and craft vendors, live bands, family activities, and a b**r garden to Fox Park across from the Wildwoods Convention Center. It is a great way to soak up that crisp autumn Shore air and pair a day trip to the Wildwoods with your Cape May weekend. 🍁

Which of these are you heading to this weekend? Tell us in the comments and share this post with the friends and family you want to bring along! 💬

10/15/2026

🎃👻 Halloween in Cape May County 2026: Your Complete Spooky Season Guide! 👻🎃

From ghost tours in America's most haunted seaside town to parades, trunk-or-treats and haunted walks, here's everything happening across Cape May County this Halloween season. Save this post and tag your crew!

‼️ Events can be moved or rescheduled, so it's always best to call or check their website for the latest news.

🏚️ ALL MONTH LONG

1. Halloween Happenings at the Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May: Ghost walks with psychic medium Craig McManus, haunted trolley tours, Voices from Beyond house tours and murder mystery dinners all October. Tickets through Cape May MAC.

2. Scarecrow Alley, Physick Estate: Stroll the grounds daily through Nov. 2 and vote for your favorite gruesome or goofy scarecrow.

3. Department 56 Halloween Exhibit, Physick Estate: Nearly 100 spooky miniature pieces on display daily through Oct. 31, 10am to 4pm. Free!

🦇 THIS WEEKEND

4. Sea Isle City Halloween Parade & Dance Party, Fri. Oct. 16, 7pm: Floats and costumes along Landis Ave from 45th to 40th St, then a family dance party at Excursion Park. Free!

5. Ghoul Spring Village, Historic Cold Spring Village, Oct. 16, 17, 23 & 24: A haunted walk through the 1800s village with a kid-friendly side, a scarier trail for the brave, vendors and crafts.

6. Reels and Wheels Halloween Drive-In, Sat. Oct. 17: Hocus Pocus under the stars at Amanda's Field in Petersburg. Gates at 6pm, movie at 7pm. Free, limited spots!

🧙 SATURDAY, OCT. 24: THE BIG DAY

7. Boo at the Zoo, Cape May County Park & Zoo, 10am to 2pm: Costume contest, crafts, games, candy and an inflatable obstacle course. Free!

8. Stone Harbor Business District Trick-or-Treat, 10am to 4pm: Look for the ghost signs on participating shops downtown.

9. Howl-O-Ween Parade, Ocean City Boardwalk, 2pm to 4pm: Costumed pups and their people take over the boards for the Humane Society of Ocean City.

10. Halloween Costume Skate, Ocean City Skate Park, 4pm to dusk: Prizes for best costume and best trick!

11. North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Block Party, 2:30pm to 5pm: Decorated cars, music, magic and balloon twisting on Olde New Jersey Ave. Free!

12. Greater Wildwood Elks Halloween Haunted House, 109 W. 1st Ave, North Wildwood: Spooky rooms and sweet treats. Free!

13. Avalon Trunk-or-Treat, 5pm to 7pm: BOO-tifully decorated trunks at the 30th St & Avalon Ave lot.

🕷️ HALLOWEEN WEEK

14. Cape May City Halloween Parade, Sun. Oct. 25: Costumed marchers, antique cars and decorated golf carts along the Washington Street Mall. Free registration opens at 1:30pm.

15. Middle Township Halloween Parade, Wed. Oct. 28, 7pm: Up Route 9 to Mechanic St in Cape May Court House. Anyone in costume can march!

16. Ocean City Halloween Parade, Thu. Oct. 29, 7:15pm: The 78th annual parade down Asbury Ave from 6th to 11th St.

17. Movie in the Park, Cape May, Fri. Oct. 30: A free spooky-season outdoor movie just off the Mall.

18. Cape May Witch Walk, Inn of Cape May, Fri. Oct. 30: Libations, light bites and stories from one of the most haunted towns in America. Tickets required.

19. Wildwood Haunted Gym, Byrne Community Center, Oct. 30 & 31, 5:30pm to 8pm: Walk through the haunted gym and collect candy along the way. Free!

🎃 HALLOWEEN NIGHT: SAT. OCT. 31

20. Halloween Crafts & Collectibles Show, Physick Estate, 10am to 3pm: Local crafters and dealers on the estate lawn.

21. Trick or Treat at the Physick Estate, 5pm to 7pm: Treats, spooky music and Scarecrow Alley at Cape May's original haunted house. Free!

22. Seven Mile Island Trick-or-Treat, Avalon & Stone Harbor, 5pm to 8pm: Look for the pumpkin markers on participating homes.

Dates and times can change, so confirm with organizers before you head out. Which one are you hitting first? Tell us in the comments! 👇

👻🎃 🎃👻

10/13/2026

🎄 Christmas in Cape May 2026 is on the calendar! 🎄

From November 20 through New Year's Day, America's original seaside resort turns into a real-life Victorian Christmas village: gaslit streets, garland on gingerbread porches, trolleys full of carolers, and Santa around every corner. Here is everything with a confirmed date so far.

‼️ Events can be moved or rescheduled, so it's always best to call or check their website for the latest news.

🎅 Christmas Tree-Lighting Ceremony, Sat, Nov 21 🎅
Santa lights the grand tree at the Emlen Physick Estate at 7 PM. Craft show from 4 PM, live band at 5:30 PM, and free open-house tours of the decorated mansion from 5 to 8 PM. Free.

🎭 Murder for Two: The Holiday Edition, Nov 18 to Dec 27 🎭
Cape May Stage's madcap two-actor musical whodunit with a holiday twist. Wednesday to Saturday at 7 PM, Sundays at 3 PM.

🚂 An Old-Fashioned Christmas Exhibit, Nov 20 to Jan 1 🚂
A giant tree, model trains and a Dickens Village in the Carriage House at the Physick Estate. Kids can drop off their letters to Santa. Free.

🎠 Winter Wonderland at Congress Hall, Nov 27 to Dec 31 🎠
Thursday through Sunday, the Grand Lawn fills with the Enchanted Vendor Village, a carousel, the Congress Hall Express train, hot cocoa and roasted chestnuts.

🎁 Holiday Crafts & Collectibles Show, Sat, Nov 28 🎁
Dozens of crafters at Convention Hall from 10 AM to 4 PM. Admission is $2.

🥞 Breakfast with Santa at the Inn of Cape May 🥞
Nov 28 and 29, Dec 5, 6, 12, 13 and 20. Breakfast buffet, photos and wish lists with Santa himself. Seating is limited and tickets must be bought in advance.

🏠 Holiday Inns Tour, Tue to Thu, Dec 1 to 17 🏠
An afternoon self-guided tour of decorated B&Bs and homes, 1 to 3:30 PM, with a trolley shuttle. $25 adults, $15 ages 3 to 12.

🍽️ Fully Committed, Dec 3 to 20 🍽️
East Lynne Theater Company's one-actor, forty-character comedy set at New York's hottest restaurant two days before Christmas. Adult humor. Tickets from $25 to $40.

🌟 Christmas Tree Lightings Night, Fri, Dec 4 🌟
Two tree lightings in one evening: the City's tree at Rotary Park at 7 PM, then Congress Hall's tree on the Grand Lawn with the Festival Choir. Free.

🔦 Lamplighter Christmas Walking Tour, Dec 4, 11, 18 and 26 🔦
An evening stroll through decorated inns and private homes, 5:30 to 7:30 PM. $35 adults, $25 ages 3 to 12.

🥁 West Cape May Community Christmas Parade, Sat, Dec 5 🥁
The hometown favorite steps off from the West Cape May firehouse at 5 PM and rolls down Broadway and Perry Street into Cape May. Rain or shine. Free.

🧶 Crafts at Christmas, Sat and Sun, Dec 5 and 6 🧶
The City's two-day craft show at Convention Hall. Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM, Sunday 9 AM to 3 PM.

🕯️ Christmas Candlelight House Tour, Sat, Dec 5, 12 and 19 🕯️
Cape May's longest running Christmas tour. Walk the Historic District from 5:30 to 8:30 PM and step inside homes, inns, churches and hotels dressed for the season. $45 adults, $30 ages 3 to 12. Buy early!

🛍️ Hospitality Night, Fri, Dec 11 🛍️
A Washington Street Mall tradition: merchant specials, complimentary light bites and drinks, and the sounds of the season.

🎶 NIC+DESI: A Holiday Celebration of Broadway, Sun, Dec 13 🎶
One night only at Cape May Stage, 7 PM. Broadway favorites and holiday classics. $60.

🚃 Trolley Rides and More 🚃
Cape May MAC is also running Santa's Trolley Rides with Mrs. Claus ($22 adults, $15 ages 3 to 12), Holiday Lights Trolley Rides, the Spirited Cape May Christmas Trolley Ride, Evening Yuletide House Tours and a Caroling Walking Tour. Dates and tickets:

⛪ Boxing Day Christmas Hymn Sing, Sat, Dec 26 ⛪
Raise your voice with the neighbors at the Episcopal Church of the Advent at 4 PM. Free.

🥂 Glitter Ball at Congress Hall, Thu, Dec 31 🥂
Ring in 2027 at Cape May's black-tie-optional New Year's Eve party. Reservations required.

If you have never seen Cape May at Christmas, make this the year. The weekend of December 4 to 6 packs in both tree lightings, the parade, the craft show and the first Candlelight tour, and rooms and tickets go fast. Book your stay, reserve your tours and breakfasts with Santa now, and come make some memories by the sea.

🎄 We will see you under the gaslights! 🎄

10/12/2026

🌞 Cape May didn't get the memo that the season is over. Victorian Weekend takes its final bow on Monday, the falcons are peaking over the Point, Martians are landing on Franklin Street, and the ghosts have the trolleys nearly to themselves. Here are 10 ways to make this Monday through Thursday count. 🍁

‼️ Events can be moved or rescheduled, so it's always best to call or check their website for the latest news.

🎩 Monday, October 12: Victorian Weekend Finale. The last day of Cape May MAC's annual Victorian Weekend is one more chance to catch historic trolley rides and architectural walking tours through America's only National Historic Landmark City. It's the perfect holiday Monday stroll past gingerbread porches before the weekend crowds head home. 🏛️

🦅 Monday through Thursday: Cape May Hawkwatch at Cape May Point State Park. Mid-October is prime time on the free hawkwatch platform, where the official counter tallies Peregrine Falcons, Merlins and other raptors streaming south over the dunes. Bring binoculars and let the on-site educators help you tell a Cooper's Hawk from a Sharp-shinned. 🔭

🎃 Monday through Thursday: Scarecrow Alley and the Halloween Village at the Physick Estate. The grounds of Cape May's original haunted house are lined with funny and frightful scarecrows, and you can vote for your favorite as you wander. Then step onto the enclosed porch to see nearly 100 Department 56 Halloween pieces, on display daily from 10am to 4pm with free admission. 🍂

👻 Monday through Thursday: Ghosts of Cape May Trolley Tour. Halloween Happenings is in full swing, and this is the tour built on the hauntings uncovered by psychic medium Craig McManus. Climb aboard at the Ocean Street trolley stop for a spine-tingling ride through the Historic District ($20 adults, $15 kids 3 to 12). 🕯️

🌅 Monday through Thursday: Climb the Cape May Lighthouse. Tackle all 199 cast-iron steps of the 1859 lighthouse for a sweeping view where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic. On a crisp October day you can look down on the trails of Cape May Point State Park and maybe spot a migrating hawk at eye level. 🌊

🏰 Monday through Thursday: Emlen Physick Estate Tour. Step inside Frank Furness's 1879 Stick Style mansion, Cape May's only Victorian house museum, for this year's tour theme, The World on Display: The Centennial and Everyday Life. Guides connect the Physick family to the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, the world's fair that introduced everyday Americans to the modern age. 🕰️

🦒 Monday through Thursday: Cape May County Park and Zoo. Named one of USA Today's top free attractions in the country this year, the zoo is home to more than 550 animals, including giraffes, zebras, leopards and lemurs, across 85 acres in Cape May Court House. Admission and parking are free, so it's an easy mid-week outing for the whole family. 🐾

👽 Wednesday, October 14 and Thursday, October 15: War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast. East Lynne Theater Company recreates the 1938 Orson Welles broadcast that convinced thousands of Americans that Martians were invading New Jersey, performed live in the style of a 1930s radio studio with on-stage sound effects. Curtain is 7pm at the Clemans Theater for the Arts, 717 Franklin Street ($40 general, $35 seniors, $25 students and military; recommended for ages 12 and up). 📻

🎭 Wednesday, October 14 and Thursday, October 15: Your Name Means Dream at Cape May Stage. José Rivera's poetic new play asks what makes us truly human in an age when artificial intelligence is reshaping our dreams, and it's in its final week before closing Sunday, October 18. Catch the 7pm performance at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse, 405 Lafayette Street (90 minutes, no intermission). 🌙

📖 Thursday, October 15 at 4pm: Tales at the Dormer House Season Finale. Classic American Tales wraps up its porch series with lemonade, tasty treats and stories by noteworthy American authors read aloud at the historic Dormer House, 800 Columbia Avenue. It's just $12 cash at the door, kids 12 and under are free, and this is the last one of the season. 🍋

Which one is calling your name this week? Tell us in the comments what you're planning to catch, and share this post with the friend who's always looking for an excuse to head down the shore mid-week. See you in Cape May!

10/08/2026

🍂 Columbus Day Weekend in Cape May is absolutely stacked, friends! Victorian Weekend takes over town, West Cape May throws its famously quirky Lima Bean Festival, and there is everything from a spirit medium dinner to a starlit lighthouse climb in between. Here are 10 special, one-time happenings you will not want to miss this Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11!

1. 🔮 Channeling Dinner with Medium Craig McManus. Friday, October 9, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean Street. Kick off spooky season with a three-course prix fixe dinner followed by a two-hour channeling session with Cape May's best known psychic medium and ghost author. Tickets are $110 and it is recommended for ages 16 and up. A truly one-of-a-kind Cape May night out! 👻

2. 🍺 Pint Night for Cape May Cares. Friday, October 9, 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Cape May Brewing Co. Tasting Room. Drink local and do some good! A portion of every pint and flight sold goes to Cape May Cares, which supports opportunities for local youth and seniors. Easy, fun, and for a great cause. 💛

3. 🏃 Always Ready 5K. Saturday, October 10, 9:00 AM at Harbor Square Park, Texas Avenue and Harbor Lane, Cape May. Hosted by the Cape May County Coast Guard Community Foundation, this run offers the rare chance to race right through U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May. There is also a dog-friendly 3K run/walk, plus a post-race b**r for finishers. 🇺🇸

4. 🫘 West Cape May Lima Bean Festival. Saturday, October 10, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Backyard Park, 732 Broadway, West Cape May (behind the firehouse). The former lima bean capital of the world celebrates its farming roots with food, handmade crafts, apparel, and plenty of bean-themed fun. Enjoy live music by Nolan Quinn and a magic show from The Great Loudini at noon. Admission is free, and a free jitney runs all day. 💚

5. ⚾ Victorian Weekend Vintage Base Ball. Saturday, October 10, 11:00 AM at Cape May Point State Park, by the Cape May Lighthouse. Step back in time as club players in vintage-style uniforms play the game by 1864 rules. Bring a blanket or chairs, pack a picnic, and see how the Victorians played ball. 🧢

6. 🍻 Mop Man's Mop Fest. Saturday, October 10, 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Cape May Brewing Co. Tasting Room. Celebrate the beloved Mop Water ale with the Mop Man himself! Expect special brewery tours at 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM, limited-edition merch, Spanky's BBQ, a Mop Pong Tournament at 6:00 PM, and live music in the evening. 🧹

7. 🌌 Stairway to the Stars Lighthouse Climb. Saturday, October 10, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Cape May Lighthouse, 215 Light House Avenue. Offered only on new moon nights, this special evening climb takes you up all 199 steps when the sky is at its darkest and the stars shine brightest. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children 3 to 12, sold at the lighthouse that evening. ✨

8. 🎩 Victorian Weekend Crafts & Collectibles Show. Sunday, October 11, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street. Browse the wares of crafters and collectibles dealers from around the region, and watch for a special appearance by the Wheelmen, riding antique high-wheel bicycles from 1932 and earlier. 🚲

9. 🏡 Victorian Weekend Historic House Tour. Sunday, October 11, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, starting at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street. Go behind closed doors on this self-guided tour of restored private homes, bed and breakfast inns, and guesthouses, and meet the owners and innkeepers along the way. Tickets are $35 for adults and $20 for children 3 to 12. 🗝️

10. 🎤 Lessons of History Lecture with Susan Eisenhower. Sunday, October 11, 5:00 PM at Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Avenue. The granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and author of "How Ike Led" presents "Contemporary Ike: The Art of Strategic Leadership," followed by a lively audience Q&A. Tickets are $40 for adults and $15 for students and teachers with ID. 📚

Share this post with your Cape May crew and tell us in the comments which events you are heading to this weekend! 🍁

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