55th Annual Chincoteague Seafood Festival

55th Annual Chincoteague Seafood Festival

The Chincoteague Seafood Festival is held the first Saturday in May to promote the seafood industry on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.  The festival offers fresh, local seafood and will include exciting offerings and signature dishes from local restaurants as well as old and new Eastern Shore favorites prepared by famous festival cooks, volunteers, and professionals.  Indulge on little neck clams, a long-time festival staple, along with raw oysters and clams, clam fritters, single fried oysters, fried fish, crab cheddar jalapeno poppers, steamed shrimp, clam chowder, salad bar, grilled chicken, sweet potato fries, Boardwalk fries, hushpuppies, and cornbread.  Non-alcoholic beverages are included in the ticket price with beer available for purchase.

New in 2025, Island Boy Music, who has been rocking the tunes at the Chincoteague Oyster Festival for 30 years, will provide live entertainment for everyone's listening and dancing enjoyment.

Shop to your hearts content in the Arts and Crafts Corral featuring handmade creations from area artisans.  An Extravaganza Raffle is held with the winner receiving t-shirts, tickets, trays, lodging, gift certificates for meals, and much more for the following year’s festival.  There will also be a variety of merchandise available for purchase including t-shirts, hats, souvenir food trays, and glass beer mugs.

Tickets are $65 per person (Children under 5 are FREE)

REFUND POLICY - Event is held rain or shine. Every attempt will be made to have the festival on the date and time advertised, however circumstances beyond the Chamber’s control may require rescheduling or delay. All sales are final in case of ticketholder cancellation or organizer postponement. If the event is cancelled by the organizer or due to circumstances beyond our control, tickets may be transferred to a future festival or refunded at 80% within 60 days of cancellation. After that time, only ticket transfers to future festivals will be honored. Tickets are limited, so order early!!! This is a sell out event!

10:00 am - Gates open (NO EARLY ENTRY FOR SETUP) Any items set up prior to 10am 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

12:00 pm - Seafood tents begins 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

Tickets Can Be Purchased By Clicking 2025 Chincoteague Seafood Festival Tickets, Sat, May 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite or by calling 757-336-6161 Or Stopping By The Chamber Office, 6733 Maddox Boulevard, Chincoteague.

Sun Outdoors Chincoteague Bay

2272 Main Street, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336

757-336-6060

CANCELLATION POLICY

Nightly/Weekly Stays: For all guests with stays shorter than 30 nights ("short-term guests") (i) cancellations may be made for a full refund of your deposit (minus a $20.00 processing fee) up to the date that is 14 days prior to your scheduled check-in date, (ii) cancellations made after the date that is 14 days prior to your scheduled check-in date, but prior to arrival, will be subject to a cancellation fee equal to all required deposits previously paid, and (iii) no refunds will be given for any cancellation following your check-in date. All refunds will be made in the same form of payment used to secure the reservation.

You can get your own lodging anywhere.  This is where I’m staying.  I booked a Waterfront Cottage Thursday through Sunday, May 1, 2, and 3 for $635.03.  I don’t know if their prices increase as time gets closer.  There is nice bicycle riding on the Island.  

...Linda Casserly