The Top Motoring Shows and Events for 2026
The Top UK Car Shows, Motorsport Events and Motoring Festivals to Visit in 2026
Whether you love Formula 1, classic British cars, military vehicles, steam engines, supercars or obscure old hatchbacks nobody else remembers, 2026 offers an enormous range of motoring events across the UK.
Some are world-famous international spectacles attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors. Others are wonderfully eccentric local gatherings held in market towns, country estates or seaside resorts. Many combine cars with live entertainment, food festivals, aviation displays and family activities, making them ideal weekends away.
Here are some of the best UK motoring events to add to your calendar in 2026.
Summer 2026
Silverstone British Grand Prix
One of the biggest sporting weekends in the UK. Formula 1 at Silverstone delivers huge crowds, dramatic racing and a brilliant festival atmosphere.
Location: Silverstone, Northamptonshire
Dates: 3 to 5 July 2026
Website: https://www.silverstone.co.uk/events/formula-1-british-grand-prix
Goodwood Festival of Speed
Probably Britain’s most famous motoring event. Supercars, historic racers, rally cars and Formula 1 machinery all charge up the legendary hill climb.
Location: Goodwood Estate, West Sussex
Dates: 9 to 12 July 2026
Website: https://www.goodwood.com/motorsport/festival-of-speed/
Pickering Motor Show
A traditional northern classic car show featuring hundreds of vehicles ranging from vintage classics to modern sports cars.
Location: Pickering, North Yorkshire
Dates: 25 to 26 July 2026
Website: https://www.pickeringmotorshow.co.uk/
Riviera Classic Car Show
Classic cars displayed along the beautiful Devon coastline create a proper British seaside atmosphere.
Location: Paignton, Devon
Date: 26 July 2026
Website: https://www.torbaymotoringclub.co.uk/
Humber Bridge Steam Rally
Steam engines, classic cars, tractors and vintage vehicles gather beneath the dramatic Humber Bridge.
Location: Lincolnshire
Date: 26 to 26 July 2026
Website: https://www.humberbridgegardencentre.co.uk/events/steam-vintage-rally-2026/
Much Marcle Steam Rally
A wonderfully traditional countryside event with steam engines, vintage transport, tractors and classic motoring displays.
Location: Herefordshire
Dates: 18 to 19 July 2026
Website: https://www.muchmarclesteamrally.com/
Beaulieu Supercar Weekend
Held at the National Motor Museum in the New Forest, this combines exotic modern supercars with one of Britain’s finest motoring museums.
Location: Beaulieu, Hampshire
Dates: 1 to 2 August 2026
Website: https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/supercar-weekend/
Hebden Bridge Vintage Weekend
One of Britain’s quirkiest motoring weekends, blending vintage vehicles, military displays and Yorkshire creativity.
Location: Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire
Dates: 1 to 2 August 2026
Website: https://www.hebdenbridge-vintageweekend.org.uk/
Festival of Classics & Sports Cars
Classic British motoring meets elegant Suffolk gardens at Helmingham Hall.
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
A newer-style classic show celebrating unrestored and weathered vehicles with genuine history and character.
Location: Kent
Date: 2 August 2026
Website: https://www.patinaclassiccarshow.com/
Orkney Classic Motor Show
A fascinating island event bringing together vintage 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
A more modern and family-focused event featuring stunt displays, new cars, modified vehicles and entertainment.
Location: Farnborough
Dates: 21 to 23 August 2026
Website: https://www.thebritishmotorshow.live/
Autumn 2026
Salon Privé
A luxury concours event featuring hypercars, rare classics and prestige brands in the grounds of Blenheim Palace.
Location: Oxfordshire
Dates: 2 to 6 September 2026
Website: https://www.salonpriveconcours.com/
Grand Henham Steam Rally
One of East Anglia’s biggest vintage vehicle and steam gatherings, featuring classic cars, fairground attractions and agricultural machinery.
Location: Suffolk
Dates: 19 to 20 September 2026
Website: https://henhamsteam.com/
Goodwood Revival
An extraordinary historic motorsport event where visitors dress in period clothing while priceless racing cars battle around the circuit.
Location: Goodwood Circuit, West Sussex
Expected date: 18th to 20th September 2026
Website: https://www.goodwood.com/motorsport/goodwood-revival/
Winter 2026
Classic Motor Show
One of Britain’s biggest indoor classic car events, held at the NEC Birmingham with hundreds of clubs and thousands of 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 events in the world, featuring pre-1905 vehicles driving from London to Brighton.
Location: London to Brighton
Date: 1 November 2026
Website: https://www.veterancarrun.com/
Useful UK Event Directories
Many smaller events confirm dates gradually through the year, so these directories are useful for keeping up to date.
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/
Planning the Perfect Motoring Weekend
Many enthusiasts turn these events into mini holidays, especially in areas like Devon, Yorkshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and the New Forest where the driving roads themselves are part of the fun.
Thankfully, the UK still does motoring culture brilliantly. Whether you love Formula 1, steam engines, military vehicles, supercars or old hatchbacks nobody thought worth preserving, there’s a 2026 event waiting for you.
