Chincoteague Island, Virginia sees scores of tourists during the summer, but tourism drops sharply in the winter. Many people don’t realize that by crossing Chincoteague off of their December vacation list they are missing out on a wonderful celebration with small-town old time charm.
Chincoteague Tree and Decorations
Tucked between downtown Chincoteague and the Chincoteague Channel is a quiet park with brick walkways, picnic tables, and a great view. Every year a large Christmas tree is erected, along with lots of decorations, right in the middle. Tourists can come and watch the lighting of the tree.
Lamp posts all up and down the island are decked out for the season and lights and wreaths are everywhere. It is always worth taking some time to drive around the island at night and see the old Eastern Shore style houses with candles in their windows and garlands on their railings.
Chincoteague's Annual Christmas Parade
The biggest attraction during the Holiday Season is the Christmas Parade. It usually takes place the first or second weekend in December so tourists can come see the parade and have plenty of time to get back home and spend Christmas with their families.
Tourists never know what to expect from the parade. It is open to everyone to enter and create a float, some people just haul a boat behind their trucks. Santa Claus is always there with some elves waving to the kids. Most of the island’s businesses create a float or fly a banner. A local 4-H Pony Club marches on their ponies and the Chincoteague High School Marching Band keeps everyone in time. Candy gets thrown to the crowd from countless rides and floats.
Fire trucks and other equipment are the most noteworthy sights in the parade. Fire companies from the entire Delmarva Peninsula, and even some from the mainland, drive their trucks up for the parade. Some are old-fashioned fire trucks and some are brand new. There is even the occasional horse-drawn fire truck.
Best of all: there’s a contest. Awards are given for things like Best Float, Most People Marching, Furthest Distance Traveled, etc. And of course, awards for fire companies like Most Fire Equipment, Oldest Truck, and more. The winners are published in the weekly paper the Chincoteague Beacon the week following the parade. The Beacon can also be read online, so even visitors who leave will get a chance to see who won.
Eating and Shopping on Chincoteague
There are plenty of places to eat during the winter on the island. Bill’s Restaurant often offers a special Christmas dinner. A number of places stay open all year long. There is a grocery store on the island, as well as one about 13 miles inland, for tourists who are renting a house and would like to cook their own Christmas dinners.
The Brant sells a wide variety of souvenirs. It isn’t a coincidence that the store shares its’ name with the sea goose that visits Chincoteague during the winter; nearly half of the store sells Christmas decorations. A tourist can find Christmas cards, ornaments, books, music, and a number of gifts and collectibles as well.
Visit Chincoteague Island this Winter
Tourism is slow enough during the winter season that the tourists who do venture to Chincoteague will be treated to an almost private island. They’ll experience a real small town feel, coupled with an old-fashioned Christmas, and plenty to do and see.
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Katie Ouderkirk - Katie Ouderkirk started working at a barn when she was ten. As the years went on she worked at a number of different barns, two zoos, and ...
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