Best UK Car Shows, Motorsport Events & Festivals for 2026
The UK's Must-Visit Motoring Events, Car Shows and Motorsport Festivals in 2026
Whether your interests lie in historic racing, classic British marques, Formula 1, military transport, supercars or vintage engineering, Britain's motoring calendar offers something for everyone in 2026.
Some events attract visitors from around the world and showcase the latest developments in automotive engineering. Others celebrate the vehicles that helped shape motoring history, often in unique settings ranging from country estates to coastal towns and historic race circuits.
Many combine vehicle displays with live demonstrations, entertainment, aviation exhibits, food festivals and family attractions, making them ideal destinations for day trips or motoring-themed weekends away.
Here are some of the standout events worth adding to your diary.
Summer 2026
Silverstone British Grand Prix
As the home of British Formula 1, Silverstone remains one of the highlights of the international motorsport calendar. The atmosphere, speed and spectacle combine to create one of the UK's most exciting sporting weekends.
Location: Silverstone, Northamptonshire
Dates: 3–5 July 2026
Website: https://www.silverstone.co.uk/events/formula-1-british-grand-prix
Goodwood Festival of Speed
A celebration of speed in all its forms. Modern supercars, Formula 1 machines, rally legends and historic racers gather at Goodwood to tackle the famous hill climb in front of enthusiastic crowds.
Location: Goodwood Estate, West Sussex
Dates: 9–12 July 2026
Website: https://www.goodwood.com/motorsport/festival-of-speed/
Pickering Motor Show
A popular event in North Yorkshire showcasing everything from beautifully restored classics and vintage vehicles to sports cars and modern performance machinery.
Location: Pickering, North Yorkshire
Dates: 25 to 26 July 2026
Website: https://www.pickeringmotorshow.co.uk/
Riviera Classic Car Show
Few settings suit classic motoring better than the English Riviera. This Devon event combines a fantastic display of historic vehicles with stunning coastal scenery.
Location: Paignton, Devon
Date: 26 July 2026
Website: Website: https://www.englishriviera.co.uk/whats-on/riviera-classic-car-show-p1362483
Humber Bridge Steam Rally
A diverse celebration of transport heritage featuring steam engines, classic cars, tractors and vintage commercial vehicles beneath one of Britain's most recognisable landmarks.
Location: Lincolnshire
Date: 26 to 26 July 2026
Website: https://www.humberbridgegardencentre.co.uk/events/steam-vintage-rally-2026/
Much Marcle Steam Rally
This traditional countryside gathering showcases agricultural machinery, steam power and classic transport while retaining the atmosphere of a traditional rural show.
Location: Herefordshire
Dates: 18 to 19 July 2026
Website: https://www.muchmarclesteamrally.com/
Beaulieu Supercar Weekend
Hosted at the National Motor Museum, this event brings together some of the world's most desirable supercars in one of Britain's most significant motoring destinations.
Location: Beaulieu, Hampshire
Dates: 1–2 August 2026
Website: https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/supercar-weekend/
Hebden Bridge Vintage Weekend
An eclectic Yorkshire event combining vintage vehicles, military exhibits and local heritage with a distinctly independent character.
Location: Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire
Dates: 1 to 2 August 2026
Website: https://www.hebdenbridge-vintageweekend.org.uk/
Festival of Classics & Sports Cars
Set within the grounds of Helmingham Hall, this event blends classic motoring with one of Suffolk's most attractive historic estates.
Location: Suffolk
Date: 2 August 2026
Website: https://www.steamheritage.co.uk/steam-rallies-and-events/event/festival-of-classics-sports-cars
Patina Classic Car Show
Rather than focusing on concours perfection, Patina celebrates authenticity, highlighting unrestored vehicles whose history is visible in every panel and detail.
Location: Kent
Date: 2 August 2026
Website: https://www.patinaclassiccarshow.com/
Orkney Classic Motor Show
A unique opportunity to experience motoring heritage in one of Britain's most distinctive locations, featuring vehicles from across Scotland's northern islands.
Location: Kirkwall, Orkney
Dates: 1 to 2 August 2026
Website: https://www.orkney.com/events/orkney-classic-motor-show
The British Motor Show
One of the UK's most accessible automotive events, offering a mixture of new vehicles, modified cars, live action displays and family entertainment.
Location: Farnborough
Dates: 21–23 August 2026
Website: https://www.thebritishmotorshow.live/
Autumn 2026
Salon Privé
Held within the grounds of Blenheim Palace, Salon Privé showcases some of the world's rarest and most exclusive vehicles, from concours classics to cutting-edge hypercars.
Location: Oxfordshire
Dates: 2–6 September 2026
Website: https://www.salonpriveconcours.com/
Grand Henham Steam Rally
One of East Anglia's largest heritage vehicle events, featuring steam engines, classic transport, agricultural exhibits and traditional fairground attractions.
Location: Suffolk
Dates: 19 to 20 September 2026
Website: https://henhamsteam.com/
Goodwood Revival
Unlike any other motoring event in Britain, the Revival recreates the atmosphere of historic motorsport with period clothing, vintage aircraft and competitive racing featuring priceless historic machinery.
Location: Goodwood Circuit, West Sussex
Dates: 18–20 September 2026
Website: https://www.goodwood.com/motorsport/goodwood-revival/
Winter 2026
Classic Motor Show
The NEC Classic Motor Show remains one of the UK's largest indoor celebrations of historic motoring, bringing together vehicle clubs, specialist traders and thousands of classic vehicles.
Location: NEC Birmingham
Dates: 13 to 15 November 2026
Website: https://www.necclassicmotorshow.com/
London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
One of the oldest motoring traditions anywhere in the world, featuring pre-1905 vehicles completing the historic journey from London to Brighton.
Location: London to Brighton
Date: 1 November 2026
Website: https://www.veterancarrun.com/
Keeping Up with New Event Announcements
Many smaller motoring events confirm dates and details throughout the year. The following resources are useful for tracking updates and discovering additional events:
Classic Shows UK
https://www.classicshowsuk.co.uk/
Steam Heritage Events Calendar
https://www.steamheritage.co.uk/steam-rallies-and-events/
Car Events UK
https://www.carevents.com/uk/classic-car-events/
Making a Motoring Weekend of It
Many enthusiasts plan short breaks around these events, particularly in destinations such as the New Forest, Yorkshire, Devon, Suffolk and Scotland where the surrounding roads are every bit as enjoyable as the event itself.
Britain continues to offer one of the world's richest motoring cultures. Whether your passion is Formula 1, classic vehicles, military transport, steam engineering or modern performance cars, there is an event in 2026 ready to fuel your enthusiasm.
