Chincoteague Island Events
It’s easy to find reasons to celebrate on amazing Chincoteague Island! Our little slice of heaven hosts everything from our famous Pony Swim to our one-of-a-kind Oyster Festival, and you’re always invited to join in the festivities. Check out these upcoming events on C.I. for 2022 and get ready to have some fun! Need help planning your getaway around an event? Give us a call - we’re always here to help, and no one knows our Island better than we do! Find your perfect vacation home and get ready to make some amazing memories.
Death By Chocolate
The ultimate chocolate lover's scavenger hunt returns for 2025! Enjoy delicious treats while exploring our beautiful island with your loved ones during this FREE two day scavenger held by the Historic Main Street Merchants Association. Search participating business for clues, and cross the finish line before the hunt ends to be entered for a chance to win incredible prizes donated by local businesses and organizations! Costumes are not required, but always add to the fun! Death By Chocolate Hours: Friday February 14th: 3 PM - 7 PM Saturday, February 15th: 10 AM - 4 PM...
Search for the Shamrocks
The Main Street Merchant's annual Search for the Shamrocks returns March 14th & 15th for 2025! Visit businesses across the island in this popular scavenger hunt for clues to solve a riddle. Solve your riddle and cross the finish line by 4:30 PM on Saturday to register for a chance to win amazing prizes donated by various businesses and organizations. Grab your friends, wear some green, and make your way to Chincoteague Island for two days full of fun, shopping, and great prizes! Costumes are optional for this event, but encouraged, as they always add to the fun!...
Easter Decoy & Art Festival
Chincoteague Combined School
The 44th Annual Easter Decoy & Art Festival will take place April 18th and 19th. Held annually to celebrate the rich history and craft of decoy carving, the Decoy & Art Festival features various types of artists including photographers, sculptors, local and national decoy carvers, and so much more!
Come ready to chat with the artists about their work, and purchase fine art, photographs, sculptures, jewelry, stained glass, pottery, etc. to take home! Awards are given in multiple categories, and children are given a Children's Choice Award ribbon upon entry to present to their favorite artist.
Admission is $5 daily. Children under 12 are FREE!
Hours:
Friday, April 18th: Noon to 5:00 PM
Saturday, April 19th: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
...
.jpg)
55th Annual Seafood Festival
Tom's Cove Park
Starts: 10:00 AM ‐ Ends: 4:00 PM
The 55th Annual Seafood Festival will take place Saturday, May 3rd!
Held annually to promote the local seafood industry, this popular festival offers fresh, local seafood including little neck clams, raw oysters and clams, single fried oysters, fried fish, steamed shrimp, crab cheddar jalapeno poppers, clam chowder, grilled chicken, boardwalk fries, hushpuppies and more!
Front Page News will provide live entertainment beginning at 12:00 PM
Arts and Crafts will be available for sale throughout the day featuring homemade creations from local artist, and festival souvenirs will be available for purchase.
Tickets for the 2025 Seafood Festival are $65 per person. Children under 5 are FREE!
Be sure to stop by the Seaside Vacations Tent to say hello! We'll be right beside the band! :)...
Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company Carnival
Chincoteague Carnival Grounds
Starts: 7:00 PM
The 100th Annual Chincoteague Fire Company Carnival kicks off June 27th!
Make your way to the Carnival Grounds on Main Street for mouthwatering local food, thrilling rides, classic games, and exciting raffles-all with the one of a kind charm that only Chincoteague can deliver. A century of tradition, community, and unforgettable fun will be celebrated during the 2025 Carnival!
Carnival Dates (Open 7 PM - 11 PM Nightly):
6/27 (Opening Night Ceremony at 6:30 PM)
6/28
7/4 (Fireworks at 9 PM. Rain Date is 7/5)
7/5
7/11
7/12
7/18
7/19
7/25 (Neptune Raffle Tickets will be available to purchase at the Information Stand)
7/26
7/28
7/29
7/30 (Neptune Raffle)
7/31
8/1
8/2 (Fireworks at 9 PM)
...
100th Annual Pony Swim
The BIG event! On Wednesday, July 30th, Chincoteague will host the 100th annual Pony Swim, and we'd love to invite you to experience this once in a lifetime celebration! For a century, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company has rounded up the wild ponies of Assateague, leading them on a breathtaking swim across the channel to Chincoteague. This 2025 swim will be much more than a swim, however. The 100th Pony Swim week promises to be a celebration of Chincoteague's culture, heritage, and legacy. The week will be packed with family friendly events around town including a Pony Drill team performance, the Pony Auction, the Fireman's Carnival, and much more!...
100th Annual Pony Auction
Chincoteague Carnival Grounds
Starts: 8:00 AM ‐ Ends: 12:00 PM
Following the annual Pony Swim, select foals will be auctioned off at the Carnival Grounds, with proceeds benefitting the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company!
Chincoteague Oyster Festival
Tom's Cove Park
The 2025 Chincoteague Oyster Festival will be held October 11, 2025!
Held annually to help promote the local seafood industry and mark the arrival of oyster season, this highlight event offers attendees all-you-can-eat raw oysters, steamed oysters, fried oysters, hot dogs, hush puppies, boardwalk fires, shrimp cocktail, and more!
Beverages are included in the ticket price ($65 per person, Children Under 5 are FREE) with beer available for purhcase.
Island Boy will once again hit the stage providing live entertainment throughout the day, and an Extravaganza Raffle will be held with winners receiving t-shirts, tickets, lodging, gift certificates, and more for the 2026 festival. There will also be a "Best Place/Space Award" given to the attendees with the best decorated area.
Oyster Festival Schedule:
10:00 AM - Gates Open
11:00 AM - Appetizer tents begin serving (Clam Chowder, Shrimp Cocktail, Salad Bar, Boardwalk Fries, Hushpuppies, Hot Dogs)
12:00 PM - Live Music begins & Seafood tents begin serving (Raw oysters, steamed oysters, fried oysters, oyster fritters, clam fritters
4:00 PM - Festival Ends...
Chincoteague Old Fashioned Christmas Parade
Main Street
Starts: 6:00 PM
An annual Christmas tradition, the Old Fashioned Christmas Parade will take place Saturday, December 6th. Beginning at the intersection of Main Street and Maddox Blvd, dozens of decorated floats and boats, marching bands, fire companies, equestrians, classic cars, and more will make their way down Main Street. Santa Claus himself will make an appearance too!
The police station will be collection new, unwrapped toys for their annual Toy Run during the parade.
After the parade, Santa will make his way to American Legion Post 159 at 4023 Main Street! Stop by for refreshments and to officially submit your Christmas list!
...
