Chincoteague Island, VA—October 25, 2023: As leaves fall and we soon turn our clocks back an hour ending Daylight Savings Time, Chincoteague Island comes alive with a variety of fall surprises. Golden marsh grasses become sprinkled with pops of bright red salicornia-- a true feast for the eyes! Did you know November is Virginia Oyster Month? Don't forget your camera ..... we have a couple of special, pink visitors from Florida that you might get a glimpse at too.

October is filled with Halloween-themed fun. Scary classic movies at Island Theatre, a "ghostly" dinner play performance, a Halloween scavenger hunt at the Museum of Chincoteague Island, and Zombie Jack's Haunted Waterpark are on the agenda for the upcoming weekend. Enjoy a climb to the top of the Assateague Lighthouse any Saturday through Thanksgiving weekend or take in the last fun horse show of the season by the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team at Kerkaken Acres. Historic Main Street Merchants and local residents are getting ready for a "spooky" good time on October 31 from 4-7 p.m. as children experience an awesome Trick or Treat along Main Street.

November is filled with concerts, Christmas tree resin classes, ornament painting, bingo, and more. Thanksgiving weekend is special here on the islands as we celebrate fall migration. Assateague Island becomes a birdwatcher's paradise as the sky fills with snow geese and other incoming waterfowl. Some stay with us until spring, while others are just passing through on their way further south. Enjoy extended hours to drive around the Wildlife Loop or up the Service Road as the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge celebrates Waterfowl Week! Here to welcome our winter feathered friends are two flamingoes from Florida who were blown off course during Hurricane Idalia. Perhaps they will spend the winter with us.

Begin new holiday traditions or continue well-established ones in island style. Traditional favorites include the Artisans Guild Holiday Tour, Holly Day Market, Annual Tree Lighting, Homes for the Holidays Tour, Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade, Christmas Tree Village, cookie sales, New Year's Eve celebrations and so much more. Spend a few days relaxing, shopping, and dining on delectable coastal cuisine -- including delicious oysters -- fresh from local waters.

Trip planning has never been easier with new technologies introduced recently by the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce and Certified Visitor Center. Find details on all these events and more at chincoteaguechamber.com/events. Look for the "Plan Your Visit" widget on the chamber's website or use our mobile App for Androids or iPhones. Visit us at 6733 Maddox Boulevard when you are in town for assistance finding all the fun and exciting things to do or explore the islands on our digital, outdoor kiosk if the office is not open. Itinerary building or locating shops, restaurants, accommodations, or activities is available 24/7/365! Once you return home, stay connected to Chincoteague Island with our new, state-of-the-art webcam located at Curtis Merritt Harbor. Enjoy panoramic views of the inlet, sunsets, sunrises, rocket launches, and dolphins when you are not able to be here in person. The islands are only a click away! Enjoy!