Chincoteague Pony Swim 2026

The Chincoteague Island Farmers and Artisans Market & Kitchen Art Gallery at the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance, 6309 Church Street, will kick off the 2026 season on May 9th from 9am - 1pm with 45+ vendors offering fresh local seafood, produce, other good things to eat and a wide array of arts & crafts. Follow the Chincoteague Island Farmers and Artisans Market Facebook page for more information! Chincoteague Island Farmers & Artisans Market & Kitchen Art Gallery Schedule: Saturdays from May 9 to October 31 Wednesdays from June 17 to September 30 (except Tuesday July 28 during Pony Penning) Free parking, free admission MARKET - Featuring local seafood, produce & other locally made foods, a wide array of arts & crafts, plus live music ART GALLERY - Diverse works by many talented local artists

The South Herd Roundup is the first major event before the exciting Pony Swim and will begin at 7:00am! The "Saltwater Cowboys" will ride out to the southern end of Assateague Island to herd the more than 50 ponies (adults and foals) inhabiting this part of the island into the Southern Corral on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The public may come view the arrival of the ponies at the Southern Corral on Beach Road. The ponies will be here Saturday through Tuesday for photos and viewing. Learn more about Pony Swim HERE - including the Official Pony Swim Guide with helpful hints, full schedule of events, updated maps and logistics, tips for getting the most out of the week, and details on security measures, road closures, trolley schedule, and shuttle stops. This information is

The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company will host their 101st Annual Carnival on July 2-4, 10-11, 24-25, and 27-31, August 1, 2026 from 6pm - 10pm nightly! Food, Fun, Games, Raffles & Attractions for the Entire Family - Chincoteague Island style! A great variety of food is available for purchase including oyster and clam fritter, 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. Rides and games for all ages. Live entertainment on the band stage. Try your luck at Bingo too. Ride tickets will be $1.50 each, 20 tickets for $25, 30 tickets for $35, 40 tickets for $45, and 50 tickets for $55 July 2- Opening night starts at 6:00pm July 4 - Fireworks at 9:00 (inclement weather date July 11th)

The North Herd Roundup concludes the Chincoteague Pony roundups in preparation for the Pony Swim and will begin at 6:00am! The "Saltwater Cowboys" will ride across the northern end of Assateague Island, VA to herd between 100-150 ponies (adults and foals) inhabiting this part of the island into the Northern Corral on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. This event is not open to the public for the safety of the ponies and people. Learn more about Pony Swim HERE - including the Official Pony Swim Guide with helpful hints, full schedule of events, updated maps and logistics, tips for getting the most out of the week, and details on security measures, road closures, trolley schedule, and shuttle stops. This information is verified by and provided in partnership between the Town of

Join us for Goat Yoga Sundays • 8:00 AM Forget Downward Dog… around here, we practice Downward Goat! 🐐 Come stretch, laugh, and enjoy a morning with our playful goat crew at the Chincoteague Pony Centre. We’ll be there to supervise every pose—especially if it involves climbing on your back! Reserve your spot today.

North meets south when the "Saltwater Cowboys" release the North Herd of Chincoteague Ponies at daybreak and walk them along the shore of the Atlantic Ocean to join the South Herd ponies in the South Corral. It is advised to be at Assateague Island National Seashore by 6am for parking purposes. Assateague Island opens at 5am. Bring your beach gear and stay for the day or walk behind the ponies to the corral and visit awhile. Bikers and hikers may access the beach via Swan Cove Trail. Learn more about Pony Swim HERE - including the Official Pony Swim Guide with helpful hints, full schedule of events, updated maps and logistics, tips for getting the most out of the week, and details on security measures, road closures, trolley schedule, and shuttle stops. This information is verified by and

PONIES In the Park Special Performance and Meet & Greet by the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team Robert Reed Park, Chincoteague Island, VA Free event! FUN FOR EVERYONE! Meet the Ponies See the Drill Team in Action Pony Games Fun for Kids of All Ages! Sponsored by the Historic Mainstreet Merchants of Chincoteague Island & Chincoteague Pony Drill Team

The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company will host their 101st Annual Carnival on July 2-4, 10-11, 24-25, and 27-31, August 1, 2026 from 6pm - 10pm nightly! Food, Fun, Games, Raffles & Attractions for the Entire Family - Chincoteague Island style! A great variety of food is available for purchase including oyster and clam fritter, 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. Rides and games for all ages. Live entertainment on the band stage. Try your luck at Bingo too. Ride tickets will be $1.50 each, 20 tickets for $25, 30 tickets for $35, 40 tickets for $45, and 50 tickets for $55 July 2- Opening night starts at 6:00pm July 4 - Fireworks at 9:00 (inclement weather date July 11th)

Watch at the Chincoteague ponies receive their vet checks prior to the Pony Swim, which can be viewed by the public at the South Herd Corral on Assateague Island, VA. Parking will be available at or around the Woodland Trail parking lot. Approximate time is TBD. Learn more about Pony Swim HERE - including the Official Pony Swim Guide with helpful hints, full schedule of events, updated maps and logistics, tips for getting the most out of the week, and details on security measures, road closures, trolley schedule, and shuttle stops. This information is verified by and provided in partnership between the Town of Chincoteague, Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, and Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce. PLEASE NOTE: No pets or emotional support animals are permitted on the Chincoteague National

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KIDS vs. ADULTS… Who will take home the bragging rights? 🐴🤠 It’s time for the Neversink Farm Game Show—an afternoon packed with fast horses, friendly competition, and family fun! 🏇 Barrel Racing 🎯 Pole Bending & Speed Events 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Kids vs. Adults Team Challenge 🏆 Prizes & Bragging Rights 🍔 Food & Drinks Available Divisions PEEWEE, 12 & UNDER, YOUTH, OPEN, ACDELCO Bring the whole family, cheer on your favorite team, and enjoy an action-packed day at the farm. Whether you’re competing or watching from the sidelines, there’s something for everyone! 💚 Come for the competition. Stay for the community.

Neversink Farm PRESENTS: A PONY PENNING Mane Event Mixer! Great Food • Live Music • Fast Horses • Kids & Games • Fun for Everyone! Looking for something new, different, fun or just horsing around during Pony Penning Week? Round up rendezvous? Slack tide soirée? Saltwater and spirits? Tuesday, July 28, 2026 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM Bring yourself, your family and friends to Neversink Farm for a one-of-a-kind event featuring TWO (2) SIMULTANEOUS EVENTS — a barrel race with lots of kid games in the arena and the MANE EVENT MIXER (food, music, wine/beer). Watch all the action in the Neversink Arena from the comfort of our exclusive VIP reception! Two Exciting Events Happening Simultaneously! Barrel Race & Arena Game Show Horses going fast & lots of kid games! Mane Event Mixer Food, Music, Wine/Beer,

The Chincoteague Pony Swim also known as Pony Penning, or Pony Penning Days, is an annual event held in Chincoteague, Virginia on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July. The event dates back to the 1800s and features the wild horses swimming across the Assateague Channel when the tide is “slack calm” so the young ponies, which are born during spring or early summer, are safe from any strong currents. The pony swim event is hosted by the Chincoteague Fire Department and consists of a pony swim on Wednesday and a pony auction on Thursday. For the pony swim, the Saltwater Cowboys round up feral Chincoteague ponies from Assateague Island and drive them across the Assateague Channel to Veteran’s Memorial Park on Chincoteague Island. Once on Chincoteague Island, the Saltwater Cowboys herd the ponies to pens on the Chincoteague Carnival Grounds where some of the foals are auctioned off on Thursday. The exact swim time depends on slack tide and is announced by the fire company the week of the event — expected between 9:30 and 10:30 AM. Spectators should arrive early; the viewing window at Veterans Memorial Park opens at 7 AM.

The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company will host their 101st Annual Carnival on July 2-4, 10-11, 24-25, and 27-31, August 1, 2026 from 6pm - 10pm nightly! Food, Fun, Games, Raffles & Attractions for the Entire Family - Chincoteague Island style! A great variety of food is available for purchase including oyster and clam fritter, 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. Rides and games for all ages. Live entertainment on the band stage. Try your luck at Bingo too. Ride tickets will be $1.50 each, 20 tickets for $25, 30 tickets for $35, 40 tickets for $45, and 50 tickets for $55 July 2- Opening night starts at 6:00pm July 4 - Fireworks at 9:00 (inclement weather date July 11th)

The 101st Annual Pony Auction will take place at the Carnival grounds, 3648 Main Street, beginning at 8am with NO chairs or placeholding permitted before then. Bidders/viewers will be allowed in at 6am in a first come first served manner that morning, you can park in the parking lot but nobody will be granted access until 6am and all persons or items are subject to search. Any chairs placed before then will be removed by law enforcement. Learn more about Pony Swim HERE - including the Official Pony Swim Guide with helpful hints, full schedule of events, updated maps and logistics, tips for getting the most out of the week, and details on security measures, road closures, trolley schedule, and shuttle stops. This information is verified by and provided in partnership between the Town of

Enjoy a FREE screening of MISTY

The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company will host their 101st Annual Carnival on July 2-4, 10-11, 24-25, and 27-31, August 1, 2026 from 6pm - 10pm nightly! Food, Fun, Games, Raffles & Attractions for the Entire Family - Chincoteague Island style! A great variety of food is available for purchase including oyster and clam fritter, 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. Rides and games for all ages. Live entertainment on the band stage. Try your luck at Bingo too. Ride tickets will be $1.50 each, 20 tickets for $25, 30 tickets for $35, 40 tickets for $45, and 50 tickets for $55 July 2- Opening night starts at 6:00pm July 4 - Fireworks at 9:00 (inclement weather date July 11th)

Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company parade South Herd ponies on the reverse Parade Route so they can swim back to Assateague Island until next year. The ponies will follow the same parade route as Wednesday but will not rest when they arrive in the marsh. They will swim immediately back to Assateague Island, until next year. The North Herd ponies were trailered back Thursday afternoon after the auction. The Swim Back normally takes place about two hours after Wednesday's swim time. Please check back for final details. Learn more about Pony Swim HERE - including the Official Pony Swim Guide with helpful hints, full schedule of events, updated maps and logistics, tips for getting the most out of the week, and details on security measures, road closures, trolley schedule, and shuttle stops.

Enjoy a FREE screening of MISTY