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E-NEWSLETTER
From the City of Sea Isle City
December 11, 2025
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The holiday season is in full swing in Sea Isle City, and our events have been putting everyone in the Christmas spirit!
As is the case each year, we officially launched the holiday season on Friday of Thanksgiving Weekend with our annual Tree Lighting Ceremony with Santa Claus, who arrived at Excursion Park during our Holiday Procession along JFK Boulevard while riding on the Sea Isle City Fire Department’s vintage “Hale” fire engine. It was wonderful to see so many enthusiastic families lining our town’s entrance corridor during the procession – and afterwards at Excursion Park as we gathered to sing carols and light Sea Isle City’s Christmas Tree. Moreover, we were extremely grateful to hear so many kind words and expressions of gratitude from those in attendance! My thanks go to everyone who braved the chilly temperatures and joined us on November 28 as we kicked off the holiday season together!
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During the “Council Reports” portion of the December 9 City Council meeting, Council President Tighe commented that the events that took place over Thanksgiving Weekend were very well attended and enjoyed by many families. She added that the City’s Tourism Office did a fine job hosting this year’s Holiday Procession and Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 28, and the Chamber of Commerce also did a fine job hosting their Winter Village that weekend.
Also during the December 9 City Council meeting, two ordinances were adopted following their Second Reading and Public Hearing…
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MAYOR'S HOLIDAY TOY & FOOD DRIVE
Donations Being Accepted for Families in Need
Mayor Leonard Desiderio’s 33rd Annual Holiday Toy and Food Drive is underway. Donations of non-perishable food items (including items for holiday dinners) and unwrapped toys can be brought to the lobby of City Hall (233 JFK Boulevard), Crest Savings Bank (4415 Landis Avenue), Dee’s Hair Salon (6300 Landis Avenue), First Bank of Sea Isle City (4301 Landis Avenue), KIX Package Goods (on 63rd Street), Mrs. Brizzle’s Buns & Deli (4601 Landis Avenue), Rick’s Breakfast House (6112 Landis Avenue), Sands Department Store (6208 Landis Avenue), and the Sea Isle City Welcome Center (300 JFK Boulevard).
Gift cards and monetary donations will also be appreciated and can be mailed or hand delivered to the Mayor’s Office at City Hall, 233 JFK Boulevard, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243. Gifts for older children will also be gratefully accepted. The last day to donate items is December 15. Prior to Christmas Day, the Mayor and his “Elves” will personally deliver all the donated items to families in need – just in time for holiday meals and celebrations. For more information, please phone 609-263-4461, ext. 1245.
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HOLIDAY BEACH TAGS
Beach Tags Make Great Gifts
Sea Isle City’s 2026 “Holiday” Beach Tags are on sale now at the pre-season rate of $25 each at the following locations while supplies last:
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Online purchases using a credit card can be made at https://www.jerseycapetags.com/ (shipped to your home, for an additional fee).
- Weekdays at the Tax Office at City Hall, Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
- The Beach Tag Vending Machine in the Lobby of City Hall, available 24/7.
- Saturdays at the Welcome Center, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
2026 Regular Seasonal Beach Tags go on sale on Friday, January 2 at the locations listed above. Limited Edition 2026 “Environmental Commission” Beach Tags are also still available (while supplies last).
NOTE: Holiday and Environmental Commission Beach Tags serve as seasonal beach passes for the entire 2026 summer season (just as Regular Seasonal Beach Tags do). For more information, please go to the “Beach Tag” page at www.seaislecitynj.us or phone the Welcome Center at 609-263-8687.
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HOLIDAY LIGHTING CONTEST
Show Your Holiday Spirit, Enter the Lighting Contest
The Division of Recreation invites local property owners to decorate the exterior of their homes or businesses and enter Sea Isle City’s 2025 Holiday Lighting Contest. The winners of this year’s contest will receive one of two prizes: The “Griswold Award” for the property with the most lights ($50 from 1st Bank of Sea Isle City); and the “Best in Show” award for the overall best-decorated property ($100 from 1st Bank of Sea Isle City). Judging will take place on Thursday, December 18, between 5:30 and 9:00 PM. To enter a property in the Holiday Lighting Contest, please go to the city’s “Rec Desk” page (seaislerec.recdesk.com) or phone the Recreation Office at 609-263-0050 by 4:00 PM on December 17.
New for 2025 – The Holiday Lighting “People’s Choice” Award: Members of the public are invited to choose their favorite decorated home in Sea Isle City and submit that address to the Sea Isle City Recreation Office by emailing costrander@seaislecitynj.us. The home with the most nominations will receive a $50 gift certificate to Dalrymple’s Card and Gift Shoppe. All nominations for the People’s Choice Award must be submitted by 4:00 PM on December 23.
To learn more about Sea Isle City’s 2025 Holiday Lighting Contest and People’s Choice Award, please phone 609-263-0050.
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FIRST RESPONDERS PARADE
Decorated First Response Vehicles
Will Parade Through Town on December 12
The Sea Isle City Fire Department will host a “Decorated First Responders Parade” starting at 6:00 PM on Friday, December 12. During this town-wide event, a fleet of decorated fire engines, ambulances and other first response vehicles from neighboring communities will parade through Sea Isle City with their sirens wailing and lights flashing. The parade will begin at 6:00 PM at the Sea Isle City Dog Park at 5th Street and Landis Avenue, proceed south on Landis to 83rd Street, continue west of 83rd to Central Avenue, then travel north on Central to JFK Boulevard before ending in front of City Hall. For more info, please phone the Tourism Office at 609-263-8687.
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FIRE DEPARTMENT'S CANDY CANE RUN
Santa and Our Firefighters Will Deliver Candy Canes
to Local Homes on December 20
The Sea Isle City Fire Department will host a “Candy Cane Run” through town on Saturday, December 20, starting at 3:00 PM. During this free event, Santa Claus and our local fire firefighters will briefly stop at pre-registered homes in Sea Isle City to spread holiday cheer and hand-out candy canes. Anyone who would like Santa and our first responders to stop at their home on December 20 can phone the Recreation Office at 609-263-0050 and add their address to the Candy Cane Route (registration closes at 5:00 PM on December 15). Special Notes: Residents of registered homes on dead-end streets (example: beach blocks and bay blocks) will need to walk to their nearest corner when they hear the fire engines approach, because our firefighters will not be driving down dead-end streets during this event. Also, the Candy Cane Run will start in Sea Isle’s north-end and conclude in Townend Inlet; and the length of the Candy Cane Run will obviously be determined by the number of homes that are registered – so Santa asks everyone to be patient if your home is on the list.
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LIVE NATIVITY
Annual Event Will Feature
Costumed Actors and Live Animals
Saint Joseph Catholic Church will host a “Live Nativity” reenactment on Saturday, December 20 – and all are invited to attend. This free event will begin with “Act I” inside the church at 4308 Landis Avenue, where a narrator will tell the story of the Nativity as costumed parishioners add to the experience using mime and gesture. Then, everyone will be invited outside to the church parking lot, where “Act II” will take place in the presence of live animals, such as camels, donkeys and sheep. Afterwards, hot chocolate and cookies will be served. For additional information about the Live Nativity, phone 609-263-8696 or email info@stjosephsic.org
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NEW YEAR'S EVE FIREWORKS
Annual Fireworks Show
Will Begin at 8:00 PM on December 31
Sea Isle City’s Department of Community Services will present a New Years Eve Fireworks Display on Tuesday, December 31, at 8:00 PM, on the JFK Boulevard Beach. Please be aware that the beaches and Promenade area at JFK will be closed to pedestrian traffic prior to and during the fireworks show. For more info, phone 609-263-8687.
Are You Dining Out on New Year’s Eve? Don’t forget that enjoying a meal at any of Sea Isle City’s wonderful restaurants is a great way to ring-in the New Year – however, due to the popularity of our local eateries, it’s a good idea to make your New Year’s Eve dinner reservations sooner rather than later!
CLICK HERE for a List of Local Restaurants
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MEMORIAL BRICKS BEING RELOCATED
The Bricks and Benches From the Island
Near Townsend Inlet Bridge Were Moved
Due to safety concerns related to pedestrians walking to the “island” at the base of the Townsend Inlet Bridge, the engraved bricks and benches that were located there have been removed and will be relocated inside Townsend Inlet Park (just steps away from the island). Those who purchased an engraved brick or bench when the island was renovated years ago will be able to see those memorials items in their new location inside T.I. Park later in 2026.
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"SAVE A TURTLE" TEE-SHIRTS
Commemorative Turtle Tees Are On Sale Now
The Sea Isle City Environmental Commission’s 2026 “Save a Turtle” tee-shirts are on sale now at the Welcome Center, 300 JFK Boulevard. These hi-quality, limited-edition short-sleeved shirts cost $15 each and are available in sizes for children and adults, while supplies last. Long-sleeved Environmental Commission tee-shirts are also on sale for $20 each (adult sizes only), and Environmental Commission “Turtle” baseball caps are on sale for $20 each.
The Welcome Center is open Monday through Friday (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM) and Saturdays (10:00 AM to 3:00 PM). For more information, please phone Annette at 609-263-2081. Proceeds from the sale of “Save a Turtle” shirts benefit the Environmental Commission’s efforts to keep Sea Isle City green and beautiful.
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HOMETOWN HEROES BANNER PROGRAM
Honor a Veteran or Military Member You Know
Mayor Desiderio has launched a “Hometown Heroes Banner Program) as a visual tribute to honor past and present members of the United States Armed Forces. Hometown Heroes Banners (24" X 48", double sided) will be proudly displayed each year on Sea Isle City’s decorative light poles from Memorial Day to Veterans Day – and anyone can purchase a banner to honor a veterans or active-duty service member that they love. The cost for a banner is $300 each for a three-year period.
To pay by check, please submit a completed Registration Form (digital or paper form), a photo, and your payment by March 31 for the following display season. CLICK HERE to print a paper registration form and send the completed form and a check made payable to "City of Sea Isle City" to Office of the Mayor, Hometown Heroes Program, City Hall, 233 JFK Boulevard, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243.
To order your banner using our digital online registration form (payable with credit card) CLICK HERE to go to our Hometown Heroes Page . Also, please call the Office of the Mayor at 609-263-4461 ext. 1245 for more instructions regarding the process of using a credit card.
Sea Isle City Hometown Hero Honoree Requirements:
- Active service with immediate family in Sea Isle City.
- Active service members currently residing in Sea Isle City.
- Living veterans born in or residing in Sea Isle City.
- Deceased or Living Veterans born in or with strong ties to Sea Isle City
- Employees of Sea Isle City, who are military veterans.
- An official service photo of the honoree must be provided. The photo can be uploaded with the registration form, or you can mail a paper copy of the photo to the Mayor's Office.
- Applications, payments and service photos are due by March 31, 2026.
For more info about the Hometown Heroes Banner Program, phone 609-263-4461 ext. 1245 or email mayorlen@seaislecitynj.us.
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TRASH & RECYCLING INFO
Keep Sea Isle City Beautiful,
Put Trash In Its Place
Regular Off-Season Bulk Trash Collections take place October through April, with curbside collections on the following streets and days:
- 1st to 44th Street = 1st Thursday of the Month
- 45th to 70th Street = 2nd Thursday of the Month
- 71st to 94th Street = 3rd Thursday of the Month
- Brush = All Streets, 4th Thursday of the Month
The “Winter” Trash & Recycling Collection Schedule is now underway, with one curbside collection each week on the following streets:
- 1st to 44th Street = Wednesdays
- 45th to 70th Street = Mondays
- 71st to 94th Street = Tuesdays
Sea Isle City’s Trash & Recycling Drop-Off Area (aka: “The Depot”) is open 7-days a week (except some holidays), from 7:15 AM to 2:45 PM, for regular trash and recycling drop-offs. Bulk Trash is not accepted at The Depot.
For more info about trash and recycling, please phone the DWP at 609-263-6000 or use the links below...
Trash & Recycling Home Page
Public Works Home Page
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DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION?
Would You Like To Speak
With a City Official?
If you have questions or concerns, there is no need to wait for an upcoming City Council meeting to express your thoughts. You can contact the head of any City Department to obtain the answers you need. For a complete list of contact information, visit our Municipal Website, www.seaislecitynj.us, or phone City Hall at 609-263-4461.
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The Email Was Sent To You From
The City of Sea Isle City
City Hall: 233 JFK Boulevard, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243 / 609-263-4461
Welcome Center: 300 JFK Boulevard, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243 / 609-263-8687
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