Events Calendar

Come experience the national parks and enjoy wildlife watching, sunrise and sunset strolls, epic recreational opportunities, and so much more during the five fee free days in 2024. Mark your calendar for these fee free dates in 2026:

The 2026 fee-free days have been announced! Enjoy a trip to the refuge free of charge on the following days this year:

President’s Day (February 16)

Memorial Day (May 25)

Flag Day/President Trump's birthday (June 14)

Independence Day weekend (July 3–5)

110th Birthday of the National Park Service (August 25)

Constitution Day (Sept. 17)

First Sunday of National Wildlife Refuge Week (October 11)

Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday (October 27)

Veteran’s Day (November 11) 

Learn more about the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague Island National Seashore.

The Chincoteague Island Farmers and Artisans Market & Kitchen Art Gallery at the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance, 6309 Church Street, will kick off the 2026 season on May 9th from 9am - 1pm with 45+ vendors offering fresh local seafood, produce, other good things to eat and a wide array of arts & crafts.

Follow the Chincoteague Island Farmers and Artisans Market Facebook page for more information!

Chincoteague Island Farmers & Artisans Market & Kitchen Art Gallery Schedule:

Saturdays from May 19 to October 31

Wednesdays from June 17 to September 30 (except Tuesday July 28 during Pony Week)

Holiday Market Nov 28 – Saturday of Thanksgiving Day Weekend

Free parking, free admission

MARKET - Featuring local seafood, produce & other locally made foods, a wide array of arts & crafts, plus live music.

ART GALLERY - Diverse works by many talented local artists

LIVE MUSIC at the MARKET

Attention Kids & Parents:

Join the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance on the porch each week during the Island Farmers and Artisans market for a FREE kids craft!

Kids must be accompanied by an adult.

The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company will host their 101st Annual Carnival on July 2-4, 10-11, 24-25, and 27-31, August 1, 2026 from 6pm - 10pm nightly!

Food, Fun, Games, Raffles & Attractions for the Entire Family - Chincoteague Island style! A great variety of food is available for purchase including oyster and clam fritter, soft crab, crab cake, and fish sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, pizza, pony fries, soft serve ice cream, funnel cakes, fried Oreos, caramel corn, and more. Rides and games for all ages. Live entertainment on the band stage. Try your luck at Bingo too.

Ride tickets will be $1.50 each, 20 tickets for $25, 30 tickets for $35, 40 tickets for $45, and 50 tickets for $55

July 2- Opening night ceremony at TBD

July 4 - Fireworks at 9:15 (inclement weather date TBD) 

July 24 - Neptune Raffle Ticket Sales Begin - Raffle tickets for King or Queen Neptune, the first pony not already designated as a buyback pony to come ashore on Chincoteague Pony Swim day, will be on sale at the Information Stand at the Carnival Grounds! Tickets are a $1 each, no matter how many tickets are purchased. Limited tickets are sold, so purchase yours before they sell out.  

July 29 - Neptune Raffle Drawing - Will take place Wednesday night at approximately 7:30pm at the band stand. Please note, this is the ONLY raffle that you MUST be present to win!

All proceeds of the carnival benefit the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. ATM on site and credit cards are accepted.

PLEASE NOTE: No pets or emotional support animals are permitted on the Chincoteague Carnival Grounds, even in your vehicle. Service animals specifically trained to aid a disabled person are permitted. 

The Fireman's Carnival leads up to the world famous Pony Swim and Auction always held on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July! Learn more here.

Celebrate Independence Day with the Chincoteague Old-Fashioned Fireworks Display brought to you by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce, and Town of Chincoteague at 9pm at the Chincoteague Carnival Grounds.

Trolley and shuttle bus service will run that evening for your convenience courtesy of the Town of Chincoteague with drop off and pick up on Willow Street at the back of the carnival grounds. 

The fire company will keep watch on any weather developments and may make a decision that evening to either begin the fireworks display early or postpone until a future night for the safety of attendees. Please plan to arrive early and watch the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company and Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce Facebook pages for any updates. The inclement weather date is TBD.

PARKING

The parking lot across from the carnival will be closed so there will be VERY LIMITED parking at the carnival grounds.
NO PARKING will be permitted on Jester Street, Willow Street, and Pension Street.

PLEASE BE AWARD OF THE FOLLOWING ROAD CLOSURES FOR THE JULY 4TH FIREWORKS:

6pm - Willow Street from Jester Street to Bunting Road AND Davis Street
8pm - Main Street from Jester Street to Bunting Road

TRANSPORTATION OPPORTUNITIES

Due to the limited parking and road closures, carnival/fireworks attendees are encouraged to avoid the fuss and ride the trolley or bus!

FREE Pony Express Trolleys - 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. - Trolley service will run a modified route with no service on Main Street from Church Street to Bunting Road due to road closures. The modified schedule will include Willow Street with drop off and pick up at the back side of the carnival grounds. There will be no trolley service on the Main Street side of the carnival grounds on July 4th or August 2nd. Free trolley service is provided courtesy of the Town of Chincoteague.

FREE Shuttle service from Chincoteague High School, 4586 Main Street - 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. - Bus service will bring you directly to the back side of the carnival grounds on Willow Street. Both visitors and locals are encouraged to park at the High School and use this free service.

GETTING HOME

After the fireworks there will be four lines at the rear of the Carnival. Two will be the Pony Express Trolley and two will be for shuttle bus service back to the Chincoteague High School.

This additional service is being provided by the Pony Express, the Town of Chincoteague and the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company to help alleviate traffic and parking problems.

Fire and Rescue emergency response will be from the Carnival, so it is important to allow clear and safe passage of these vehicles.