We love looking back at the traditions, both big and small, that shape the heartbeat of Chincoteague. Each one marks the passing of a season and reminds us why this island feels like home for so many of our dear friends and guests. These aren’t just events on a calendar — they’re moments that anchor us, connect us, and bring this little island community together year after year.
Winter Traditions
Christmas Parade and festive lights along Main Street
The season starts with twinkling lights and the beloved Christmas Parade, where floats, dancers, fire trucks, and Santa himself brighten the early-December chill. Main Street feels like a storybook that evening, with neighbors lining the sidewalks and children bundled up, waving and collecting candy as the procession passes.
The Horseshoe Drop on New Year’s Eve
Chincoteague rings in the new year in Robert Reed park with a costume promenade and sparkling horseshoe descending at midnight. It’s quirky, cheerful, and perfectly suited to this island — a celebration filled with laughter, cocoa, and Auld Lang Syne.
Death by Chocolate (Presidents’ Day Weekend)
One of winter’s sweetest traditions, this chocolate-themed scavenger hunt turns local shops and eateries into a trail of treats. Bundle up, grab your bingo card, and explore the island one bite at a time. It’s the perfect way to shake off the February chill with a group of friends.
Spring Traditions
Easter Decoy Festival
A celebration of art, craftsmanship, and island heritage. Local carvers and artists gather to share their work, and we love chatting with them as they demonstrate the skill, patience, and history behind every feathered detail.
Community Easter Sunrise Non-Denominational Service
Held at sunrise with the Assateague Channel as a backdrop, this peaceful service feels like the true beginning of spring — quiet and meaningful, with local pastors sharing their light with both locals and visitors who return year after year.
Migratory Bird Celebration (Mother’s Day Weekend)
At the height of spring migration, the Wildlife Refuge hosts one of our favorite wildlife events. Ranger-led walks, birding programs, and family-friendly activities celebrate the return of warblers, shorebirds, and all the colors of the season.
Island Creamery’s first batch of local strawberry ice cream
When that first strawberry batch hits the counter, we know spring has officially arrived. Made with local berries, it’s the sweetest sign that warm days are here.
Summer Traditions
Fourth of July Parade
Small but mighty in local charm, this non-motorized parade circles the downtown waterfront park with hundreds of participants on foot or bike. Categories like “Most Patriotic,” “Largest Family Group,” and “Youngest/Oldest Participant” make it a joyful, homespun celebration of community.
Chincoteague Volunteer Firemen’s Carnival
Rides, raffles, games, and the famous oyster fritter sandwiches fill July with nostalgia. Families plan entire vacations around carnival nights, knowing the smell of funnel cake and the glow of the Ferris wheel mean summer is in full swing.
Blueberry Festival
A favorite for food lovers and craft browsers alike, this indoor festival brings talented artisans, live music, and more blueberry treats than you can possibly sample in one visit.
Pony Week
The island’s most iconic tradition. From the quiet magic of the sunrise beach walk, to the slack-tide flare, to the crowning of King or Queen Neptune, to the excitement of the live foal auction, Pony Penning carries a spirit unlike anything else. Watching a young child raise their bidder card to bring home a Chincoteague pony is a moment that never loses its wonder. We’re honored every year to witness it alongside our guests.
Fall Traditions
Plein Air Art Show
Painters from near and far come to capture the colors, textures, and moods of Chincoteague and Assateague. The resulting show is a celebration of the islands through dozens of artistic lenses — each one a love letter in paint.
Oyster Festival (Columbus Day Weekend)
This all-you-can-eat feast highlights the island’s seafood heritage, featuring oysters every way imaginable along with steamed shrimp, sides, music, and the high-energy joy of dancing to the Island Boy Band. It’s fall at its finest.
Pico Taqueria’s last day of the season
Somehow this became one of Chincoteague’s unofficial holidays. Locals line up to order whatever remains on the menu board, knowing proceeds will support a local nonprofit. It’s a farewell celebration full of flavor and good cheer.
The Thanksgiving drive up the Service Road
A once-a-year chance to explore the refuge’s interior by vehicle. This unique vantage point is wonderful for spotting ponies, waterfowl, and sweeping marsh views before heading home for turkey and pie.
These moments connect all of us — locals, guests, and long-time friends of The Refuge Inn — to the rhythm of the island. Thank you for being part of the memories we make here each year. We can’t wait to welcome you back for the traditions still to come.