I’m dreaming of a 2019 Long Beach Island Christmas. The holiday season makes LBI feel like home whether you’re local or just visiting. To share the festivities, these are a few of our favorite things…20, to be exact!

LBI Traditions – Special Things to Do for a 2019 Long Beach Island Christmas

There are several yearly LBI winter activities we all can look forward to. From baking contests to unusual traditions, these are the events that bring locals and vacationers together in the wintertime.

 

1. Watch the Ship Bottom Christmas Parade

The Ship Bottom Christmas Parade has been a favorite LBI tradition since 1978. The parade takes place along Long Beach Island Boulevard between 5th St. and 25th St. This event kicks off with an official tree lighting and concludes at the judging platform where awards are handed out for the best floats and marching bands. The 2019 Long Beach Island Christmas theme for the parade is “40 Years of Christmas Past.” This is one of the best LBI winter activities and you’re not going to want to miss it!

 

2. Catch a Show at the Theatre

If you want to make a great memory with your family and friends this Christmas, gather up tickets to see a festive onstage production at Surflight Theatre, like ‘Tis the Season or The Rave-Ons: Rockin’ Eve. The local theater scene is vibrant and a tradition like this ensures great entertainment while helping to support the local talent. If you’re back at the theatre next summer, be sure to stop by Showplace Ice Cream Parlour where the waitstaff preform cabaret-style while you enjoy frozen desserts.

 

3. Participate in Cookie Wars

LBI bakers compete each year in Cookie Wars, a cookie baking contest where customers vote for their favorite batch. Each year, a type of cookie is announced and bakers must bake 300 cookies to enter the content. Voting takes place at Country Kettle Fudge in LBI’s Bay Village Shopping Plaza in Beach Haven. It’s a fairly new tradition, only five years old. The first year’s theme was Chocolate Chip, then Snickerdoodle, then Oatmeal, then Sugar Cookie. This year, the theme is gingerbread!

4. Attend a Christmas Eve Service

Church is the most popular place for families to go on Christmas Eve. If you’re looking to visit a local church for a Christmas Eve Service, check out these welcoming venues:

The Episcopal Church of the Holy Innocents – Marine Street and Beach Ave.

St. Thomas Aquinas Church – 2nd Street

Kynett United Methodist Church – 127 Centre St.

Island Baptist Church – 215 3rd Street

Spray Beach Chapel – 2309 Beach Ave.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church – 5800 Long Beach Island Blvd.

 

5. Shop at LBI Christmas Shops

One place you can count on for everything Christmas no matter what time of year is? The Christmas Shops in Beach Haven! Take a shopping trip to YuleTIDE at 325 Ninth Street and Mistletoe at 11100 Long Beach Blvd. Browse the hand-painted ornaments and hand poured candles and crafts made by local artists. YuleTIDE even has a choir singing Christmas carols on December 21st to put everyone into a happy holiday mood! The Christmas shops on Long Beach Island help to keep the spirit alive. Ready to buy some gifts? You may have seen our Christmas Shopping List last year- here it is again.

 

6. Ride in a Horse Drawn Carriage

Carriage rides are a traditional Christmas feature but it’s not always easy to find places that offer horse-drawn buggies. There’s a three-day festival right over the bridge at Tuckerton Seaport. Plan to attend Christkindlmarkt for a fun family environment for a Christmas market and craft fair for all. Horse-drawn carriage rides are offered for a donation, and there’s also a trackless train for kids.

 

7. Register for the Polar Bear Plunge

For over fifteen years, the LBI community has participated in the Polar Bear Plunge – a surprisingly popular global event where people jump into the ocean in the middle of winter, sometimes to raise money for a cause. Maybe this funny ritual actually helps LBI locals survive the winter, or maybe it’s just a memorable thing to do! Many participants believe there are direct health benefits from doing so, while others sign up for the fun of it. On February 3rd, the most daring LBI locals will gather at Brant Beach. LBI’s Polar Bear Plunge raises money for St. Francis Community Center and Southern Regional High School Swim Teams. There are prizes awarded according to a list of categories such as best costume, oldest player, etc.  Register online

 

Tasty Treats and Flavors for the 2019 Long Beach Island Christmas Season

You’ll find a slew of great restaurants and eateries on LBI but it can be very hard to decide! If you’re up for trying new things and looking for a festive place with great food, check out some of our favorite holiday treats and tell us what you think!

 

8. S’mores Frozen Hot Chocolate

Where to Buy it: Coffee Bouteaque

9. Peppermint Cheesecake

Where to Buy it: Greenhouse Cafe

10. Gingerbread Latte

Where to Buy it: How You Brewin’

11. Cranberry Fudge

Where to Buy it: Country Kettle Fudge

12. Mayana Dark Hot Chocolate Mix

Where to Buy it: Spice It Up LBI

13. Pecan Pie

Where to Buy it: Holiday Snack Bar

14. Cookie Latte

Where to Buy it: The Local Market & Kitchen

 

Gift Ideas for 2019 Long Beach Island Christmas

You might be shopping for a few people on your nice list. Or, maybe you’re shopping for yourself. Either way, shopping is especially fun this time of year because of the 2019 Long Beach Island Christmas sales and gifts. Here are the nicest thing we found:

15. Holiday Throw Pillows – Set of 2

Where to Buy it: YuleTIDE

Price: $36.99

 

16. Snowflake Necklace and Earrings – Jenna Janes Jewelry LBI

Where to Buy it: Jenna Janes Jewelry, Schooner’s Wharf LBI

Price: $78

 

17. Paper Globe Glass Ornament, Celtic Design

Where to Buy it: Mistletoe in LBI

Price: Unknown

 

18. Holly Jolly Hand Poured Candles

Where to Buy it: Beached

Price: Unknown

 

19. Hanging Sign for Beach Lovers

Where to Buy it: Mistletoe

Price: Unknown

 

20. Rose Gold Reindeer

Where to Buy it: YuleTIDE

Price: $12.99

 

Enjoy this 2019 Long Beach Island Christmas

From our hearts to yours, Best Of LBI.buzz wishes you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy this 2019 Long Beach Island Christmas with your loved ones and come back for more awesome tips and info to help you experience all that LBI has to offer!