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.

Apr 11

Spring Round Up

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company wild hold its Spring Roundups April 11th and 12th to check the health of the ponies, and to identify any new foals that have been born! On Friday afternoon, our famous Saltwater Cowboys will round up the Southern herd of ponies, while the Northern herd will be corralled in the north pen early Saturday morning. The southern herd round up typically takes 1-2 hours, while the northern herd can take 5-6 hours. The service road will be open to the public to walk up to the cattle grate at any time of the day for the northern herd roundup. Southern Herd Roundup: 4:30 PM Friday Northern Herd Roundup: 6:00 AM Saturday...

Apr 18

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 ...

Apr 25

Spring Flounder Tournament

Captain Steve's Bait and Tackle

Captain Steve's Bait & Tackle will host its annual Spring Flounder Tournament April 25th through May 4th! Over $2,500 are up for grabs in cash and prizes, with $1,000 going to the top prize! First 50 entrants will receive a free Captain's Bag and Buy 1, Get 1 Gulp. All participants must register before the tournament at https://tinyurl.com/2euerkyy or by filling out a Registration form and brining it to the store! Visit: https://www.stevesbaitandtackle.com/tournament.htm for more information! ...

May 03

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! :)...

May 17

Good Old-Fashioned Parade

Main Street Starts: 11:00 AM

The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company will kick off its celebration of the 100th Annual Pony Swim with a good old fashioned parade on Saturday, May 17th! The theme for this special event will be "Ponies and Patriotism!" The parade route will begin at the intersection of Main Street and Maddox at 11 AM, with the conclusion being at Cropper St. The Fire Company will be holding an Open House with refreshments at its new station at 5052 Deep Hole at the conclusion of the parade! Various trophies will be awarded in categories such as Best Pony Themed Float, Best Patriotic Themed Float, and more!...

Jun 19

National Parks Free Entrance Day

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

Mark your calendars for the 2nd of five FREE dates at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge! Experience all of the natural beauty we've all come to love on the following dates: January 20th June 19th September 27th October 12th November 11th...

Jun 27

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) ...

Jul 04

4th of July Fireworks

Carnival Grounds

Celebrate Independence Day with an old fashioned fireworks display brought to you by our Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce, and the Town of Chincoteague! Beginning at 9 PM, the sky will be illuminated with a dazzling show, right at the Chincoteague Carnival Grounds! *Rain date is July 5th!...

Jul 06

Music at the Dock - Salisbury Community Band

Robert Reed Downtown Waterfront Park

Meet the Seaside Vacations team and the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance in the beautiful Robert Reed Waterfront Park for a series of FREE concerts this summer! Bring a lawn chair or a blanket, and dance the night as you enjoy great music with a picturesque backdrop. Co-sponsored by Seaside Vacations & the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance, with support from the Town of Chincoteague and Virginia Commission for the Arts, the full concert schedule for 2025 is: July 6th: Salisbury Community Band July 12th: Cane Mill Rd July 26th: Randy Lee Ashcraft & The Saltwater Cowboys August 2nd: Fab 2, 3, 4 August 9th: Krate August 16th: Bobby Blackhat Band August 30th: CAISO...

Jul 12

Music at the Dock - Cane Mill Rd

Robert Reed Downtown Waterfront Park

Jul 18

Misty's Birthday Party

Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce

Come celebrate Misty's Birthday with the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce and Chincoteague Pony Drill Team! Free and open to the public, this celebration will feature a meet and greet with Misty III, and a performance by Misty's Ember! Author Kendy Allen will be on site autographing her children's books about Misty's descendents, and crafts and games will be available throughout the part! Sweet treats & refreshments will be served...

Jul 26

Music at the Dock - Randy Lee Ashcraft & The Saltwater Cowboys

Robert Reed Downtown Waterfront Park

Jul 29

Pony Swim Vet Checks & Buyback Selection

South Herd Corral

Make your way to the South Herd Corral on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge to watch as the ponies receive their vet checks and buybacks are selecrted.

Parking will be available around the Woodland Trail parking lot.

Jul 30

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!...

Jul 31

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!

Aug 02

Music at the Dock - Fab 2, 3, 4

Robert Reed Downtown Waterfront Park

Aug 09

Music at the Dock - Krate

Robert Reed Downtown Waterfront Park

Aug 16

Music at the Dock - Bobby Blackhat Band

Robert Reed Downtown Waterfront Park

Aug 30

Music at the Dock - C.A.I.S.O

Robert Reed Downtown Waterfront Park

Oct 11

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...

Dec 06

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! ...