Chincoteague Island Events

Holiday cookie sale? Say less! Indulge in homemade cookies and treats at the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance’s annual sale, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth or gifting to loved ones. Proceeds benefit the CCA Scholarship Fund.

When: Saturday, December 14, 11 am – 1 pm

Where: Chincoteague Cultural Alliance, 6309 Church Street, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336

Each fall, thousands of waterfowl come from their northern breeding grounds to the milder climate of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Join the flocks of visitors who celebrate Thanksgiving Weekend in this special place to enjoy a variety of overwintering ducks, geese, and swans.

During the Thanksgiving weekend, extended access is also available for visitors to drive on the 7.5-mile Service Road (admittance from 12 pm to 2 pm only). Visitors must enter the Wildlife Loop Trail and follow the one-way traffic pattern to the Service Road’s entrance. This may take 10 or 15 minutes, due to high volume. All vehicles are expected to completely exit the Service Road by 4 PM.

These four days are the only time, each year, that the public can enjoy our “Special Drive” along the refuge’s 7-mile Service Road in their vehicle. Vehicles can only enter the road via the Wildlife Loop during the times specified.

Enjoy the view of Saint Nick’s Summer getaway on Chincoteague Island, all decked out for the holidays! Drive-thru and follow the string of lights to exit (Williams Lane)

Catch Santa Claus going through the SOUTH side of the Island on Tuesday, December 21st! Santa will be on the Chincoteague Island Fire Truck. Keep an eye out for his arrival! Church Street will be the dividing line…

Santa will begin each night at the NEW Firehouse on Deep Hole Rd!

Catch Santa Claus going thru the NORTH side of the Island on Wednesday, December 20th! Santa will be on the Chincoteague Island Fire Truck. Keep an eye out for his arrival! Church Street will be the dividing line…

Santa will begin each night at the NEW Firehouse on Deep Hole Rd!

Hop on the trolley for a scenic tour of the island’s most beautifully decorated homes and businesses, all aglow with holiday lights. $25 per person with treats at Christmas Manor and the Beebe Ranch.

When: Friday, December 20th and Saturday, Dec 21st at 6 PM

Where: Museum of Chincoteague Island, 7125 Maddox Boulevard, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336. Reserve tickets by calling or visiting the Museum.

Trolley tour of Chincoteague Island Christmas lights! Hosted by the Museum of Chincoteague Island.
$25 per person with treats at Christmas Manor & The Beebe Ranch.

Join The Rhythm Section for a New Year’s Eve performance at the Island Theater in downtown Chincoteague from 7 PM to 11 PM. Afterward, head over to the park for the Horseshoe Drop. A cash bar will be available.

The Pony Island Horseshoe Drop is an end-of-year celebration culminating in a promenade of crazy costumes just before the countdown to the stroke of midnight. That’s when the lighted horseshoe drops just in time to ring in the New Year!

Nothing can compare to the invigorating feeling you get by plunging into the ice-cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean! It is an awesome experience. There will be lots of fun all around. Plungers are encouraged to dress up in the zaniest, craziest costume they can come up with!

If you decide to plunge, you must read and sign the Plunge Waiver and Release Form. There is NO fee to enter the water.

A celebration of decoy carving and fine art, featuring local artists, auctions, and children’s crafts.

$5.00 admission each day; children under 12 are free
Admission is cash only, so please plan accordingly.

2024 FESTIVAL EVENTS: (to be updated soon)

Friday & Saturday –
– All Day — Chincoteague Pony Drill Team Offering Children’s Crafts; Main Hallway
– All Day — Capt E’s Hurricane Grill Food Truck Serving Lunch Friday & Breakfast/Lunch Saturday; Outside
– All Day — Arthur Leonard Carving Demonstrations; Gym

Friday –
– All Day — Ellie & Caden, Musicians; Gym Stage

Saturday –
– 10:30 — Nan Carlton Mosteller, Exhibitor, Performing A Skit & Reading Her Children’s Picture Book, “Huck, Chuck, & Bruce: At The Shore”; Gym Stage
– 12:00 – 2:00 — JoAnn Stratakos, Exhibitor, Felted Wool Bunny Class — $50; Cafeteria
– 12:00 – 2:00 — Emily Guemple, Musician; Gym Stage
– 3:00 — Awards Announced
– 4:00 — Wooden Easter Egg Silent Auction Ends / Pick Up By 5:00

The 55th Seafood Festival celebrates local seafood, featuring raw oysters, clams, crab poppers, and live music at Tom’s Cove Park​

Tickets are $65 per person (Children under 5 are FREE)

10:00 am – Gates open (NO EARLY ENTRY FOR SETUP) Any items set up before 10 am on festival day are subject to removal.

11:00 am – Appetizer tents begin serving – Clam Chowder, Salad Bar, Boardwalk Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Hushpuppies, Cornbread, Grilled Chicken

Noon – Seafood tents begin serving – Raw Oysters & Clams, “Little Neck” Steamed Clams, Single Fried Oysters, Fried Fish, Steamed Shrimp, Clam Fritters, Crab Cheddar Jalapeno Poppers
Live music begins with Island Boy Music.

4:00 pm – Festival ends

6:00 pm – Due to insurance liability purposes, all attendees and volunteers must exit the festival grounds