Chincoteague Vol Fireman’s Carnival Underway for 2026

The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company will host its 101st Annual Carnival this month, with carnival nights scheduled from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The carnival will be open Friday and Saturday, July 10 and 11. It will then reopen Friday, July 24, and continue nightly through July 31, with the exception of Sunday, July 26.

The annual event features food, rides, games, raffles, attractions, bingo, and live entertainment on the band stage. Food available for purchase will include oyster and clam fritters, 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.

Ride tickets will be $1.50 each, with ticket packages available at 20 tickets for $25, 30 tickets for $35, 40 tickets for $45, and 50 tickets for $55.

Neptune Raffle ticket sales will begin July 24 at the Information Stand on the carnival grounds. The raffle is for King or Queen Neptune, the first pony not already designated as a buyback pony to come ashore on Chincoteague Pony Swim day. Tickets are $1 each, regardless of the number purchased. A limited number of tickets will be sold.

The Neptune Raffle drawing will take place Wednesday, July 29, at approximately 7:30 p.m. at the bandstand. Organizers note that this is the only raffle where the winner must be present to win.

All proceeds from the carnival benefit the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. An ATM will be available on site, and credit cards will be accepted.

The Fireman’s Carnival leads up to Chincoteague’s world-famous Pony Swim and Auction, traditionally held on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July.