New Year's in Chincoteague: A Weekend Itinerary

The week between Christmas and New Year's is a favorite here on Chincoteague, and a lot of our guests come back for it every year. You can spend the morning with the swans and snow geese on the refuge and ring in the new year at a costume parade and horseshoe drop on the waterfront. This plan covers three days, from December 30 through New Year's Day.

This year's special (2026-27): New Year's week falls inside our Stay Two, Get One Free special, which runs November 29, 2026 through March 18, 2027. Book three nights in a king or queen room, and your least expensive night is free. You'll find everything we're running on our specials page, or call us at (757) 336-5511.

Wrap up the Christmas aftermath or your last day at the office and head for the island. Stop along the way for lunch. From Annapolis, Kent Island is a good break. From Hampton Roads, try Cape Charles, and from Delaware, the downtown in Berlin. Check in at the Refuge Inn in the afternoon. This time of year your room is often ready early, so stop by when you get in.

The sun sets early in late December. If you get in before 4:30, head over to Assateague and walk or bike about a mile down the Woodland Trail to the Bivalve Trail. It ends at a tiny beach on Tom's Cove, and the sunsets there are some of the most private you'll find anywhere.

Have dinner at The Village, where the Conner family has been frying oysters for 40 years. Then come back to the inn and warm up in the indoor pool and hot tub.

Morning on the refuge. Start with breakfast delivered to your door, then head out to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Thousands of snow geese and tundra swans spend the winter here along the Atlantic Flyway, and the Wildlife Loop is quiet enough this week that you'll often have a pond to yourself. Walk or bike the loop, or take the short uphill walk to the base of the Assateague Lighthouse for photos.

Afternoon downtown. Warm up with soup and a grilled cheese at Famous Pizza, then come back to the room, hang the Do Not Disturb sign and take a nap. Later, dress warm and browse the shops on Main Street, like Sandy Sky's and Hollyhocks. Take a picture in the LOVE chairs and watch the last sunset of the year from the waterfront park.

Evening. Call Bill's Prime Seafood & Steaks at (757) 336-5831 well ahead for a dinner reservation, since New Year's Eve fills up. After dinner, see what's playing at the Island Theatre. They usually have a holiday movie or a band that week, and there's a beer and wine bar. Then walk over to the waterfront park for the Pony Island Horseshoe Drop and costume promenade. Costumes are optional, and every year has its own theme. The party gets going around 11, and the lighted horseshoe drops at midnight.

Morning. Watch the first sunrise of the year from the beach at Assateague Island National Seashore, then warm up with breakfast at Blackfin Island Grill, across the street from the inn.

Afternoon. Christmas by the Sea holds its Polar Pony Plunge on the beach in the early afternoon. It's free to plunge. Sign the waiver and run in, in costume if you like, or stand back and watch everyone else meet the Atlantic in January. The start time changes from year to year, so check before you go. If you'd rather stay dry, take a walk on the Island Nature Trail.

Evening. End the trip with drinks and appetizers at Ropewalk while the sun goes down over the channel, then take one last swim in the heated pool.

• Pack layers. Winters here are mild, but evenings get cold and the wind off the water is sharp.

• Book early if you have a favorite room. Many of our repeat guests come back for this week, and everyone has their favorite room or spot. We don't usually fill up, but rooms with a view go first.

• Free Night Certificates can't be used December 26 through January 1.

• At the inn: the indoor pool, hot tub and sauna are heated all winter, and breakfast comes to your door each morning with Amarin coffee and a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. If you forgot a hat or gloves, the Rookery, our gift shop, has winter hats, gloves and scarves. The front desk can also set you up with a bike from the Bike Depot next door.

• Art workshops: the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance has held small art classes the week after Christmas, like watercolor pencil and batik on rice paper. Classes are small, so register ahead on their classes page.

• Birders: Audubon's Chincoteague circle (VACI) usually holds its Christmas Bird Count around December 29, with a tally rally at 5pm at the refuge visitor center. Registration is required.

• Check event times before you go. They change a little every year. The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce events calendar and Christmas by the Sea post each year's schedule.

Call us at (757) 336-5511 to book, or reserve online.