56th Annual Chincoteague Seafood Festival
Seafood lovers, mark your calendars! The highly anticipated 56th Annual Chincoteague Seafood Festival is set to take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 10am to 4pm at Tom’s Cove Park, 8128 Beebe Road. This spring seafood tradition, hosted by the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce, promises a day filled with delicious local seafood, live entertainment, and festive fun on the beautiful shores of Chincoteague Island celebrating the island’s rich seafood heritage.
The festival offers fresh, local seafood in favorite Eastern Shore dishes prepared by famous festival cooks, volunteers, and professionals. Gates open at 10am for set up with appetizers available at 11am including clam chowder, salad bar, crab cheddar jalapeno poppers, grilled chicken compliments of Tyson Foods, sweet potato fries, Boardwalk fries, hushpuppies, and cornbread. At noon, indulge in little neck clams, a long-time festival staple, along with raw oysters and clams, clam fritters, single fried oysters, fried fish, clam strips, and steamed shrimp. Non-alcoholic beverages are included in the ticket price with beer and desserts available for cash purchase.
Sit back and enjoy or dance the afternoon away to live music performed by Island Boy. Commemorative glass beer mugs will be available as a keepsake of the memorable day along with t-shirts, hats, and souvenir food trays. Purchase plenty of Extravaganza of Prizes Raffle tickets for your chance to win tickets, t-shirts, and trays for next year’s festival, lodging, gift certificates for meals, shopping and boat cruises, and so much more! The drawing takes place at the band stage at 4pm.
The festival is a fantastic opportunity to sample world-class seafood while also supporting local businesses. In between enjoying festival fare, be sure to stop by the sponsor, hospitality, and Arts & Crafts Corral vendor booths to learn about local businesses, enter drawings, grab fun swag, or purchase incredible hand-crafted items.
The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the following for their support and participation:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Coastal Shore Vacations & Coastal Shore Real Estate, Derrickson Construction, LLC, Seaside Vacations & Sales, Tyson Foods
GOLD SPONSORS
Village Neighbors of Chincoteague Island
SILVER SPONSORS
Chincoteague Island Food Closet, MJ Beach Co.
RADIO SPONSORS
Accomack Title & Settlement, Inc., Angie Abell @ Beach Bay Realty, Hansen’s Craftory, Island Chiropractic Center, Long and Foster Real Estate – Meghan Oliver Clarkson, Rothe, Weichert Realtors Mason-Davis
MAP SPONSORS
Atlantic Union Bank, Billy Reed Jr. Construction, Shine Consulting, LLC
After indulging in the delicious flavors of the Chincoteague Seafood Festival, stay the weekend to unwind, explore, and immerse yourself in the island’s natural beauty and coastal charm. It is sure to make for a memorable and rejuvenating getaway. With pristine beaches, scenic trails, and famous Chincoteague Ponies on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, the islands provide a relaxing and picturesque escape. Browse our unique shops and art galleries, explore aboard a boat or kayak tour, and enjoy authentic local cuisine for breakfast, lunch or dinner at one of our fine dining venues, quirky food trucks, or off-beat seafood shacks.
The Chincoteague Seafood Festival is a sell-out event and tickets are going fast, so purchase yours before they are gone! Tickets are $65 each (under 5 are free) and may be purchased at the chamber office at 6733 Maddox Boulevard, online at ChincoteagueChamber.com or by phone at 757-336-6161.
