Best motoring events for car fans in 2026

May 29, 2026

Festival of the Unexceptional by Matthew Pitts

2026 is shaping up to be a classic year for car enthusiasts, with a huge number of motoring events to attend.

We’ve researched some of the UK’s biggest and best car shows and motorsport events, making sure we include something for everyone.

Dive in to see what the year has in store – and be sure to let us know below if you’re planning to attend any… perhaps see you there?

2026 MOTORING EVENTS

June 2026

19-21 June: Concours des Legendes at Wilton House, Salisbury

20 June: Hard Copy at Triumph Motorcycles, Hinckley

20-21 June: Icons of Porsche, Sunstede Silverstone Edition

A festival dedicated to Porsche, to mark 75 years of the brand in the UK. It will be hosted at the Porsche Experience Centre Silverstone and will include demonstrations of Porsche race and road cars on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit. You can buy tickets here.

27-28 June: Heveningham Concours, Suffolk

28 June: Ford Nationals, British Motor Museum

July 2026

3-5 July: British Grand Prix

5 July: National Metro & Mini Show, British Motor Museum

8 July: RAC Club Concours, Woodcote Park

9 July: Hagerty Hangout at Bicester Motion

10-12 July: Summer Nationals, Santa Pod

9-12 July: Goodwood Festival of Speed

12 July: BMC & Leyland Day, British Motor Museum

18-19 July: Classic Nostalgia at Shelsley Walsh

22 July: Classics on the Common, Harpenden

25 July: Festival of the Unexceptional

25-26 July: Silverstone Classic

August 2026

3 August: Megaphonics 26, Boxengasse Bicester

8 August: Pistonheads Annual Service, Bicester Motion

23 August: Italian Car Day at Carlton Towers

September 2026

2-6 September: Salon Privé

4-6 September: Concours of Elegance, Hampton Court Palace

6 September: John Haynes Classic Motor Show, Haynes Motor Museum

10 September: Hagerty Hangout at Bicester Motion

12-13 September: Beaulieu Autojumble

18-20 September: Goodwood Revival

October 2026

4 October: Sunday Scramble, Bicester Motion

11 October: Motorsports Day at Brooklands

November 2026

1 November: London to Brighton Veteran Car Run

13-15 November: Classic Motor Show

The 2026 events that have already happened

Look back at the 2026 events calendar so far… which of the below events will be on your radar for 2027?

20-22 February: Race Retro

For many enthusiasts, Race Retro marks the start of the annual events calendar. This year, there’s live action from 120 rally cars, historic race exhibits, celebrity motorsport talks and more. There’s also a flagship auction on Saturday 21st February, with cars once owned by Richard Hammond, Richard Hamilton and even King Charles II!

20-22 March: Classic Car & Restoration Show

Rustic gems, resto projects and pristine classics is the promise of the NEC Classic Car & Restoration Show. Over 1,300 classics are expected, from 160 car clubs, and more than 230 cars will be on sale, too. Meet star experts including Derek Mathewson, Mike Brewer, Paul Cowland, Sheldon Nichols, Steph Holloway and more.

28 March: AUTOBEST Conquest Live Show

This is something all-new for 2026. AUTOBEST, the largest independent automotive awards jury in Europe, is holding its first live AUTOBEST Conquest event on 28 March – where the 2026 winner will be revealed. You can vote now from the six finalists… Motoring Research director and UK juror Richard Aucock has already cast his vote. Tune in on the night to find out which of the six will be crowned AUTOBEST Best Buy Car of Europe 2026.

11 April: Food & Fuel, Bicester Motion

12 April: GTI Spring Festival, Santa Pod

16-18 April: Salon Privé London

18 April: Pride of Longbridge, Cofton Park, Longbridge

18 April: Rustival, British Motor Museum

18-19 April: Classic Car Boot Sale Kings Cross

18-19 April: BTCC 2026 season-opener, Donington Park

Motoring Research will be at Donington for the 2026 curtain-raiser. If you can’t make it, you can watch every BTCC race in 2026 LIVE on ITV4.

26 April: DRIVE IT DAY 2026

26 April: Sunday Scramble, Bicester Motion

A gathering of people around vintage cars in front of brick buildings surrounded by trees, featuring a prominent red car in the foreground.

The April event will celebrate the vee engine, with displays of both road and race cars, while Hangar 113 will mark a century of the Bicester Technical Site. A pioneering aircraft will be flanked by period cars.

26 April: Ultimate BMW Meet, British Motor Museum

1-3 May: Donington Historic Festival

2 May: Auto Italia Italian Car Day at Brooklands

2-3 May: Gaydon Land Rover Show, British Motor Museum

9 May: Prescott Italia at Prescott Hillclimb

9 May: London to Brighton Runs, Brooklands Museum to Brighton

10 May: British Mini Day, Himley Hall

12 May: Jap Show, Santa Pod

14-17 May: Nurburgring 24 Hours