Chincoteague Island's calendar year revolves around the month of July and more specifically, the last week, also known as Pony Penning Week.
Its primary event is the pony swim on the last Wednesday of the month, when the herd of wild Chincoteague ponies owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company (CVFC) makes their yearly swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague. It is followed the next day by the auction of foals born this year.
Now in its 101st year, the swim and auction occur partially out of necessity.
For sustainability and land lease requirements, the herd’s size can’t exceed 150 ponies. Therefore, the majority of the 70-plus foals born each year are sold to maintain that number. Some are auctioned for naming rights, and kept as “buybacks” to maintain herd longevity.
Monies raised support the fire company, fund veterinary care for the ponies and provide supplemental hay drops, among other things.
Whether these are bucket list events because you are a huge “Misty of Chincoteague” fan, or just curious, there’s so much more to do on the island during this special week to create wonderful memories to take home.
Consider this your “insider’s guide”, written by yours truly, who has lived on the island full-time for 20 years and vacationed many years prior to that.
The first thing to do is download a copy of the Official 2026 Pony Swim Guide.
This provides excellent information about the swim and auction, including how to get to these locations and when.
Know the ponies’ schedules
In preparation for the swim, the ponies in the “southern herd” will be rounded up on Saturday, July 25 and brought to the corrals off Beach Road on the Virginia side of Assateague Island. It’s easy to spot: Look toward the right if you’re traveling toward the beach.
They will be joined on Monday, July 27 by the ponies living to the north, somewhere between the Wildlife Loop and the Maryland border.
These equines are trekked down the beach by the Saltwater Cowboys, then brought to the corrals on Beach Road.
This Monday Beach Walk has become a hugely popular event in its own right. People arrive as early as 4 a.m. to get good parking and viewing spots near the northernmost parking lot to watch the ponies pass quickly (and I mean quickly) around 7 a.m.
If you can, hike or bike the Wildlife Loop (vehicles are not permitted that time of day), approximately 1.5 miles to Swan Cove Trail, then travel another half mile to the beach for a less crowded, more relaxed experience.
Otherwise, my next preferred plan is to skip the beach and head to the corrals to see the herds join up there.
Viewing the ponies in the corrals pre-swim allows an excellent opportunity to mingle with pony experts or fans who are often quite knowledgeable. Plus, you can watch the Saltwater Cowboys and the veterinary team in action.
The auction begins at 8 a.m. on Thursday, July 30 at the Carnival Grounds. The grounds will open at 6 a.m. for people wishing to snag a spot for their chairs or to try for limited bleacher seats.
It will be a mad dash, so wear your fastest running shoes. To get a good spot in line, it’s not unheard of to arrive between 4 and 5 a.m.
Getting there
The swim happens on Wednesday, July 29 at slack tide, with a window between 8 and 10 a.m.
The best way to get there is by trolley. Its schedule and fees for the year are online, in the Pony Swim Guide or on the free Chincoteague mobile app.
An insider’s hint is to drive beforehand along the swim and parade routes to find residents eager to sell parking spots in their yard, clearly marked with yard signs.
If driving to the swim, some road closures will occur as early as 5 a.m., according to Police Chief Tyler Greenley. The best way to stay updated on closures will be on Chincoteague’s official website.
Be early and come prepared
If you are planning to view the swim in the marsh at Pony Swim Lane near Veterans Memorial Park, come early. People start arriving as early as 2 a.m. to secure a good spot.
Cover your limbs, bring plenty of bug spray, and prepare to get muddy.
Rain is in the forecast from the evening of Tuesday, July 28 into early Wednesday, including possible thunderstorms. Rain and storms will make an already mucky situation even worse.
One day, archeological digs will uncover shoes, lost long ago in marsh mud on Pony Swim Day. Lace yours up good and tight, and hope for the best.
The swim will also be viewable on a jumbo screen at Veterans Memorial Park – a less muddy option.
The weather looks to clear up by swim time.
Due to a terrorist threat last year, only clear bags or backpacks will be permitted to the swim and auction. Metal water bottles are not allowed. Anything suspicious will be subject to search, Chief Greenley said.
Expect the unexpected
Be advised, there will be pony drama, which can be both exciting and potentially dangerous.
At the 2025 Spring Roundup, Chincoteague Mayor Denise Bowden, also a Saltwater Cowboy, had her femur broken when she was accidentally knocked to the ground and trampled by a pony.
Stallions can get rough and will defend their mares from the “competition” of other stallions.
If bringing young children, be aware that breeding situations between stallions and mares could occur and age-friendly explanations may be in order.
Don’t forget about the swim back
An often overlooked event is the less-crowded swim back, occurring on Friday, July 31.
While the northern ponies are trailered back, the southern herd swims back at slack tide. This is estimated to occur this year between 6 and 6:30 a.m. Check the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company website or Facebook page leading up to Friday to confirm the time.
Any pony deemed unable to make the swim will be transported in advance to the Carnival Grounds.
Check out events around the island
There’s also no lack of other things to do this week around the island.
The Chincoteague Pony Centre has a full schedule of events, including Chincoteague pony rides and lessons, plus pony shows. Meet renowned Chincoteague pony expert and photographer Darcy Cole between 1 and 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28.
Also on Tuesday at the Community Center. Buckaroo Bingo attracts a huge crowd hoping to win gift baskets, all to benefit the Museum of Chincoteague Island and the Beebe Ranch.
The Chincoteague Pony Drill Team, the only one of its kind, will perform several times on the island throughout the week, including before the start of Thursday’s auction at the Carnival Grounds. Owner and choreographer Kendy Allen works with local riders to present an equestrian show.
For more information, including a Tuesday open house at her Kerkaken Acres Farm, visit the drill team’s Facebook page.
An absolute must, though, is a visit to the Beebe Ranch. Part of the Museum of Chincoteague Island, this little gem is dedicated to preserving the history of the Beebe family, Misty of Chincoteague (both the real pony and her fictional counterpart) and the literary works of Marguerite Henry.
The 1961 movie “Misty of Chincoteague” will be shown at the Island Theater on Monday at 11 a.m., as well as on Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday at 3 p.m.
Don’t miss a unique photo opportunity to pose near Misty’s hoof prints in the cement outside, created for the movie’s premiere.
Food and drink options
Anyone visiting will need to eat, and the island offers excellent brick-and-mortar or food truck options, mostly on Main Street or Maddox Boulevard.
However, some dining establishments will be closed the entire week, or at least for the swim and auction.
The Chincoteague Island Foodies Facebook group is a moderated, organized community that often crowdsources information on closures and can be more efficient than arriving at a restaurant only to have to turn around
Try the Better Food Truck on Maddox for their sandwiches (they have an excellent BLT) or pork schnitzel, and then grab a coffee next door at Monkey Sea, Monkey Brew’s truck.
The brisket smoked by pitmaster Dawn Michelle Damon of Deep South Smokehouse is highly recommended.
If you need entertainment while you eat, grab some dinner at the Firemen's Carnival while playing games and having fun on the rides. They’ll be open every day of Pony Penning Week except Wednesday, July 29. I like to pick up some provisions at Whiteraven’s Nest or Island Foods, avoid the crowds and casually grill out at Veterans Memorial Park or the Robert Reed Park, which is behind the Misty statue.
Grills and picnic tables are also available at the beach on the bayside. Evening is also the least crowded option for those in search of beach time.
A fun weekend option if you can still snag a spot is the catered 2-hour brunch cruise by Bottoms Up Tiki Tours.
Bottoms Up also has relaxing 2-hour sunset cruises with limited slots still open for Pony Penning Week.
Need a ride or a designated driver? Bottoms Up also offers shuttle van services.
