King of the Wing is an annual chicken wing cooking competition held at Magens Bay Beach on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, typically on a Saturday in June. Since debuting in 2010, more than 40 teams have competed for the title of best wings while raising funds for local nonprofit organizations across the territory.
King of the Wing started in 2010 as a single-beach cooking contest and has grown into one of St.
The contest turns a single beach afternoon into one of the territory's most anticipated food competitions: dozens of amateur and professional teams spend weeks perfecting secret wing recipes, then cook on-site at Magens Bay, regularly ranked among the world's most beautiful beaches, while judges score entries on taste, appearance and originality
Unlike a typical food festival, admission itself is free, and visitors pay per wing sample, which keeps the event accessible to families while still funding a serious philanthropic mission
organizers report hundreds of thousands of dollars raised for island nonprofits since 2010
The 2026 edition marks the contest's 15th anniversary, underscoring its staying power as a summer fixture
The competition sits within the Virgin Islands' broader culinary tradition of backyard and community cookouts
where chicken is a staple protein prepared with Caribbean spice blends
scotch bonnet heat and often a rum or fruit glaze
King of the Wing formalizes that home-cooking culture into a judged contest while keeping its roots in community fundraising
a model common to Virgin Islands nonprofit events
Dates TBA · Usually June
Getting to King of the Wing works best when the return plan is settled before arrival.
Beachwear is standard: swimsuit, cover-up, sandals or flip-flops, sunhat and sunglasses. Magens Bay is a working beach as well as an event venue, so plan for sand, sun and the option to swim...
For King of the Wing, keep the basics simple: small bag, charged phone, meeting point and respect for crowd controls.
For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Magens Bay/St. Thomas.
Entry may be free while tastings, meals, or special tables are paid locally.
["en"] · USD
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King of the Wing is listed for Past edition: 13 June 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.
The festival is listed in Magens Bay/St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.
One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.
Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.
Magens Bay/St. Thomas, Caribbean, U.S. Virgin Islands
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