52 Annual Chincoteague Oyster Festival
The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce welcomes seafood lovers to the 52nd Annual Chincoteague Oyster Festival, set for Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Tom’s Cove Park, 8128 Beebe Road. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and celebrates both the start of oyster season and the watermen whose work brings the tradition to life.
Guests will enjoy an all-you-can-eat menu featuring oysters on the half shell, steamed, single-fried, and frittered. Other offerings include clam chowder, clam fritters, shrimp cocktail, a salad bar, fries, hushpuppies, hot dogs, and non-alcoholic beverages. Beer, commemorative mugs, and desserts will be sold separately. Live entertainment will return with festival favorite Island Boy taking the stage.
“The Chincoteague Oyster Festival is a highlight of fall on Chincoteague Island,” said Joanne Moore, Executive Director of the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce. “It’s about savoring incredible local seafood while celebrating our heritage, the start of oyster season, and Chincoteague ‘salts’ with family and friends.”
Festival organizers recommend arriving early, as campground parking is limited. The Pony Express Trolley will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. free of charge, with service beginning an hour earlier than in previous years. A dedicated trolley will also shuttle attendees directly from Chincoteague Combined School to Tom’s Cove Park. Gates open at 10 a.m., with appetizers beginning at 11 a.m. and the full menu served at noon.
Adding to the fun will be a Best Space Decorating Contest, inviting participants to showcase their creativity with oyster-themed or unique setups for a chance at prizes. Raffle tickets for the Extravaganza of Prizes, featuring gift cards and items from local businesses, will be available throughout the day, with a winner drawn at 4 p.m.
Festival merchandise—including shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and souvenir trays—will be sold in the Chamber office the week before the event and at the festival grounds, with limited supplies expected to sell quickly.
Tickets are on sale now, and the Chamber encourages early purchase to avoid missing out on one of the Eastern Shore’s most popular fall traditions. More information is available at ChincoteagueChamber.com.
