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 over 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.

Festival Timeline:

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

Cost: $65 per person (Children under 5 are FREE)