The best motoring events for car enthusiasts in 2021

The 2020 motoring events calendar was almost totally wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic. However, 2021 has shaped 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.

However, as last year taught us, everything is subject to change, and sadly, some shows are cancelled for 2021 too. Here, though, are the events currently confirmed to be going ahead.

2021 MOTORING EVENTS GUIDE

Classic Motor Show – 12-14 November

The Classic Motor Show is a good way to end the show calendar. A chance to chat with like-minded enthusiasts before prized classics are put into winter hibernation. The NEC is your destination for this annual classic car curtain call.

Look out for updates and details of new events over the coming weeks and months.

CANCELLED FOR 2021

Auto Royale – 16-18 July

Auto Royale 2020 was billed as a “true ‘festivalised’ event which will attract the very affluent and high net worth collectors along with ABC1 owners and enthusiasts of the automotive lifestyle.” That was before it was postponed until 2021… and sadly, despite a move from Althorp to Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, it has now been postponed indefinitely.

Events you’ve missed

Here are the events that have been and gone in 2021. If you like the sound of them, keep an eye out for 2022 dates!

Simply Electric – 23 May

Beaulieu’s 2021 events calendar sparks into life with Simply Electric. It’s the first of 15 ‘Simply’ events scheduled to take place this year, with a range of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on display in May. Visit the Beaulieu website for details of this and other events.

Retro Rides Weekender – 29-30 May

Fans of pre-1998 cars will be converging on Goodwood for the Retro Rides Weekender. Retro parking, club displays and track time are the order of the day for this popular event.

Masters Historic Festival – 29-30 May

Head to Brands Hatch for two days of historic touring cars, endurance legends, historic F1 and sports cars, plus pre-1966 Minis.

June Scramble – 5-6 June

Summer 2021 sees the return of the hugely popular Sunday Scramble at Bicester Heritage. The first-ever two-day Scramble will be held on 5 and 6 June 2021.

Haynes Breakfast Club – 6 June

The Haynes Breakfast Club is back! If you missed out on the two events in May, be sure to book early for events in June, July, August, September, October, November and December. Future classics (post-1980) are welcome on the first Sunday of every month, while pre-1980 cars are invited to the second Sunday. Booking is essential.

London Concours – 8-10 June

New for 2021, London Concours is introducing a third day, creating three different themes: VIP Preview Day, Style Edition Day and Supercar Day. Expect champagne receptions, the world’s most exotic sports cars and the sharpest suits and dresses.

Land Rover Legends and Thruxton Historic – 12-13 June

Following its postponement in 2020, Land Rover Legends will take place at Thruxton on 12-13 June. You can expect feature displays, the leading Land Rover clubs and awards for the best vehicles. Advance tickets are available, although children under the age of 16 are free and do not need a ticket. The event coincides with the Thruxton Historic.

E-Type 60 – 12-13 June

There are many events at Shelsley Walsh in 2021, but E-Type 60 is likely to be one of the best. All 13 versions of the Jaguar E-Type will be on display, including one of the original press cars.

BTCC Snetterton – 12-13 June

The BTCC calendar got underway at Thruxton in May, with BTC Racing’s Josh Cook claiming two victories. The next race is at Snetterton in June.

Yorkshire Motorsport Festival – 25-27 June

Former Top Gear presenter Julia Bradbury was due to be the host of the Yorkshire Motorsport Festival in 2020. The event will now take place in June 2021, albeit with crowds capped to 4,000, with the timetable including the first closed road hillclimb to be held in the North of England. Around 80 mainly pre-1986s cars will compete for the fastest time on a 0.8-mile track.

London Classic Car Show – 25-27 June

With Covid-19 restrictions in mind, the London Classic Car Show is moving from Excel London to an outdoor event at Syon Park. The 2021 event will celebrate 135 years of the motor car, 1930s style and elegance, ‘80s Brutalism and contemporary supercars. The show will also showcase 60 years of the Jaguar E-Type.

Truckfest Midlands – 3-4 July

There are eight Truckfest events in 2021, with the Three Counties Showground in Malvern playing host to the West Midlands event in July.

Goodwood Festival of Speed – 8-11 July

The Goodwood Festival of Speed will return in July 2021, with the organisers promising to celebrate the 2020 theme of ‘The Maestros – Motorsport’s Great All-Rounders’. We understand this isn’t a celebration of the Austin Maestro.

British Grand Prix – 16-18 July

All tickets for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone come with a Covid-19 guarantee. If spectators are not allowed at the event due to government guidelines, ticket holders will be able to transfer their ticket to 2022 or receive a full refund.

Carfest North – 23-25 July

Carfest North takes place at Bolesworth Castle in Cheshire. You can expect the usual mix of music, cars and family fun, with a large percentage of the proceeds going to support BBC Children in Need. Tickets for 2021 are sold out.

Bug Jam – 23-25 July

Billed as “the original and best VW fest”, Bug Jam is certainly one of the best Volkswagen events in the UK. If you love Dubs, head to Santa Pod in July.

MotoFest Coventry – 17 July – 8 August

MotoFest Coventry is a free motoring event in the UK City of Culture 2021. It’s perhaps most famous for the ring road becoming a sprint circuit for the weekend. Also look out for Formula Gymkhana and the Autotest National Championship.

Silverstone Classic – 30 July – 1 August

The Silverstone Classic is one of the highlights of the motoring calendar – a three-day, non-stop historic racing extravaganza. You can expect to see around 10,000 classic cars and live motor racing.

Festival of the Unexceptional – 31 July

Owners of unexceptional cars of the 1960s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s are invited to the Festival of the Unexceptional for a celebration of saloons, hatchbacks and estates. Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire is the new venue.

Shelsley Walsh Autojumble – 7 August

New for 2021, Shelsley Walsh is launching what it calls its first proper autojumble. The paddock garages will be full of spare parts, tools and ephemera, while the main field will play host to trade and private stands. Camping facilities will be available to traders.

Electric Vehicles Festival – 7 August

The Electric Vehicles Festival celebrates its third year in 2021, running at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon on Saturday 7 August. Billed as a celebration of all things motoring electric, the event brings together both EV owners and those who are ‘EV-curious’. And a £40 family ticket for two adults and three children even includes entry to the British Motor Museum itself!

Ford Fair – 8 August

Europe’s biggest Ford event is returning to Silverstone for its 36th year. Around 5,000 Fords are expected to attend, with tickets available from £27.

Retro Carfest – 13-15 August

This new addition to the Carfest calendar will take place at Bicester Heritage in August. It’s a celebration of the 1960s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, featuring cars, film, television, toys, gadgets, fashion and music from a bygone era.

The British Motor Show – 19-22 August

The British Motor Show will take place at Farnborough International in August. Highlights include The Caterham Experience, The Paul Swift Stunt Driving Experience and Under 17 Driving Lessons. Also look out for the latest new cars and celebrities including Mike Brewer, Tim Shaw, Fuzz Townshend, Vicki Butler-Henderson and Mike Rutherford.

Le Mans 24 Hours – 21-22 August

The 89th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours will take place later than normal this year, on 21-22 August. Le Mans is less than three hours from the ferry terminals at Cherbourg, St-Malo and Le Havre.

Historic Rally Festival – 21-22 August

A new event for 2021 sees Weston Park playing host to a celebration of Group B rally cars on former stages of the RAC Rally. Around 80 cars will take part in a demonstration run on the 1,000-acre estate.

Retro Rides Gathering – 21 August

The Retro Rides Gathering is one of the best events for fans of retro and modified cars. Check out the Retro Rides Facebook page for more details.

Carfest South – 27-29 August

Carfest South takes place at Laverstoke Farm in Hampshire. It’s essentially a southern version of Carfest North, so you expect music, cars and family fun. Tickets for 2021 are sold out.

Ford Show – 29 August

Modern Ford hot hatches will line up alongside classics like the Capri, Cortina, Escort and Puma at this Ford extravaganza. Now taking place at the end of August.

Salon Prive – 1-5 September

Salon Prive went ahead in 2020, despite restrictions that saw the majority of similar events postponed or cancelled. For 2021, the Concours d’Elegance will return to Blenheim Palace for the 16th consecutive edition. Around 1,000 supercars will take centre stage on the South Lawn, while Ladies’ Day plays host to the Boodles Best Hat Competition.

Concours of Elegance – 3-5 September

Like Salon Prive, the Concours of Elegance event at Hampton Court Palace went ahead in 2020. You can expect more of the same in 2021, when 300 of the world’s finest and rarest motor cars appear at the Palace. Full details to be announced.

Fully Charged Live – 3-5 September

Fully Charged Live was another victim of the pandemic in 2020. The good news for fans of electric cars is that the event is back for 2021, with Fully Charged Live moving to a new venue at Farnborough International. Ideal for anyone preparing for the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.

International Autojumble – 4-5 September

If rummaging for oily car parts is your idea of a dirty weekend, the International Autojumble is the event for you. Some 2,000 stands are expected to fill the grounds of the Beaulieu Motor Museum, making it the biggest outdoor sale of motoring items this side of the Atlantic.

Japfest – 4 September

Around 4,000 cars are expected to converge on Silverstone for Europe’s biggest Japanese car show. Tickets are available from £27.

Goodwood Revival – 17-19 September

The Goodwood Revival will take place in September 2021. Visitors are encouraged to dress in period clothing to celebrate the golden era of motorsport. Isn’t it good to be back at Goodwood and escape from the present day for a weekend?

Gravity – 19 September

Gravity is one of the largest modified car shows in the UK. To celebrate its fifth anniversary, the event will take place in four exhibition halls and two outdoor arenas at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. Around 1,000 modified, classic, drift and race cars will be on display.

Classics on the Common – 22 September

For one day every year, Harpenden is invaded by classic cars as it plays host to the UK’s largest weekday car show. If you want to book a day off work, Classics in the Common will take place on Wednesday 22 September 2021.

McRae Rally Challenge – 2-3 October

Billed as one of the biggest celebrations since Colin McRae became World Rally Champion in 1995, this event will commemorate Colin, as well as Jimmy, Alistair and rising star Max McRae. Knockhill is the venue for this great event.

GTI Festival – 10 October

Another Santa Pod event, this time for Volkswagen enthusiasts. This is one of the last events of the year before we start thinking about putting our cars into winter hibernation.

Goodwood 78th Members’ Meeting – 16-17 October

The rescheduled 78th Members’ Meeting will take on the weekend of 16 and 17 October. All tickets will automatically roll over from 2020 and remain valid for the new dates in 2021.

London to Brighton Veteran Car Run – 7 November

Last year was the first time the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run has been cancelled since 1947. Hopes are high that the event will go ahead in 2021, when cars registered before 1 January 1915 set off from Hyde Park for the 60-mile journey to Brighton.