Chincoteague Island Events

Join Main Street Merchants for Chincoteague’s free two-day St. Patty’s Day adventure! Visit businesses around the island during the 15th annual Search for the Shamrocks event for clues to solve a riddle. Cross the finish line by 4:30 pm Saturday to register for great prizes. Grab some friends and your green to shop, play, stay, and WIN!

Costumes are optional but add to the fun!

Friday, March 14: 4 pm-7 pm

Saturday, March 15: 10 am-4 pm

Email Nicole at [email protected] with any questions.

Join the Main Street Merchants for Chincoteague Island’s famous free two-day chocolate lover’s game!

Enjoy delicious chocolate treats while participating in the ultimate Chocolate Lover’s Scavenger Hunt! Explore Chincoteague Island during the 18th annual Death by Chocolate event.

Friday, February 14: 3 pm – 7 pm

Saturday, February 15: 10 am – 4 pm

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.

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

Enjoy an Old-Fashioned Fireworks Display on July 4 to celebrate the birth of our nation at the Carnival Grounds. The Fireman’s Carnival leads up to the world-famous Pony Swim and Auction held on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July! The carnival features live entertainment on the stage, rides, games, fun, and food.

Dates 6/27/2025, 6/28/2025, 7/4/2025, 7/5/2025, 7/11/2025, 7/12/2025, 7/18/2025, 7/19/2025, 7/25/2025, 7/26/2025, 7/28/2025, 7/29/2025, 7/30/2025, 7/31/2025, 8/1/2025, 8/2/2025.

All proceeds benefit the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company.

Fireworks begin at 10 PM.

The 37th Annual Chincoteague Island Blueberry Festival takes place July 17th, 2025, from 9am to 4:30pm. This premier fine arts and crafts event on the Eastern Shore of Virginia features non-stop live music and a delightful array of food, including fresh blueberries, blueberry ice cream, the ultimate blueberry pie, blueberry shortcake, blueberry pancakes, and much more.

Ticket Prices:

Adults: $TBD

Kids under 12: $TBD

Special Offers: Coupons are available at the Chincoteague Blueberry Festival and at the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce office. For more details, visit their website. Don’t miss out on this exciting celebration of blueberries and local talent!