The best classic car shows near me | Calendar & Guide | RAC Drive (2024)

Whether it’s their rich heritage, the roar of their engines or simply their timeless sense of style, there’s something unquestionably alluring about classic cars.

Luckily for us, the UK is home to some of the greatest classic car shows in the world, showcasing the best vintage motors from home and abroad.

To help you get up close and personal with these majestic motors, here’s our guide to the best classic car shows coming soon near you…

Classic car shows UK2019calendar

June

1st-2ndTatton Car SpectacularTatton Park, Cheshire
2ndKames Classic Car ShowMuirkirk, Ayrshire
15thKilbroney Vintage ShowNewry, County Down
15th-16thClassic NostalgiaShelsley Walsh Hill Climb, Worcestershire
15th-16thBrooklands Double TwelveBrooklands, Surrey
23rdBicester Heritage Super ScrambleBicester, Oxfordshire

July

4th-7thGoodwood Festival of SpeedChichester, West Sussex
13th-14thHeartbeat Historic RallyGoathland, North Yorkshire
20thFestival of the UnexceptionalClaydon, Buckinghamshire
26th-28thSilverstone ClassicSilverstone, Northamptonshire
26th-28thCarFest NorthBolesworth, Cheshire

August

3rd-4thGaydon, Warwickshire
23rd-25thCarFest SouthOverton, Hampshire
25thMG 95th Anniversary RallyBeaulieu, Hampshire

September

5th-8thSalon PrivéBlenheim, Oxfordshire
6th-8thConcours d’EléganceHampton Court Palace, Surrey
8thFord Capri 50th AnniversaryBrooklands, Surrey
13th-15thGoodwood RevivalChichester, West Sussex
22ndThe Warren Classic & Supercar ShowEssex

October

5thAutumn ClassicCastle Combe, Wiltshire
6thBicester Heritage Sunday ScrambleBicester, Oxfordshire

November

3rdLondon to Brighton Vintage RunLondon/Surrey/West Sussex
8th-10thNEC Classic Motor ShowBirmingham

Jump to the best classic car shows in:

  • London and the South East
  • South and South West
  • West Midlands and Wales
  • East Midlands and East Anglia
  • Yorkshire and Humber
  • North East and North West
  • Scotland and Northern Ireland

The best classic car shows in London and the South East

The best classic car shows near me | Calendar & Guide | RAC Drive (1)

Goodwood Revival (13th-15th September)

Goodwood is the spiritual home of classic car shows, hosting both the Goodwood Festival of Speed (4th-7th July) and Goodwood Revival, the ultimate celebration of all things vintage – from music to motors.

Last year’s festival held the world’s most expensive car race (over £100 million worth of kit took part in the 2018 Kinrara Trophy), and this year’s event promises to be even bigger.

Learn more

Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance (5th-8th September)

Styled as the “most luxurious of garden parties set against the backdrop of Britain’s greatest palace”, Salon Privé showcases the finest supercars and classic cars from around the world.

Held at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, the event is conveniently accessed off the M40. Just remember to check the clothing requirements before you set off as some of the days have dress codes. Fascinators and blazers at the ready, then!

Learn more

London to Brighton Veteran Car Run (3rd November)

The best classic car shows near me | Calendar & Guide | RAC Drive (2)

As the world’s oldest motoring event, the London to Brighton Run is definitely not one to be missed if you’re a classic fan, as hundreds of pre-1905-vehicles take to the roads in an epic race.

From London’s Hyde Park, the cavalcade of cars heads out of the capital and through the South Downs National Park towards Brighton, so whether you’re in the smoke or the sticks there are plenty of spots to catch the best of the action.

Learn more

  • The top 10 best road trips in the UK
  • Classic car auctions in 2019 – calendar and guide

The best classic car shows in the South and South West

MG 95th Anniversary Rally (25th August)

Marking the 95th birthday of the iconic marque, this event will bring together owners and fans from across the globe to race, explore and celebrate all things MG for one memorable day.

The event takes place at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, in the heart of the stunning New Forest, so as well as exploring the other exhibitions at the museum, why not linger longer and experience the beauty of the forest?

Learn more

Autumn Classic (5th October)

Held at the beautiful Castle Combe circuit, north of Chippenham in Wiltshire, the Autumn Classic packs a huge amount into a one-day event. From thrilling wheel-to-wheel racing to a chance for fans to explore the paddock, there’s plenty to get stuck into here.

This year’s Classic will see racing focused around the theme of ‘Heroes from the 1960’s’, although you can expect to see motors from throughout the ages competing.

Learn more

The best classic car shows in the West Midlands and Wales

La Vie en Bleu/La Vitta Rossa (25th-26th May)

Held at the famous Prescott Hill Climb in the Cotswolds, this year marks a 90th birthday celebration for the Bugatti Owners Club.

As well as celebrating the crème de la crème of Italian marques, from Bugatti’s to Fiats, there’ll be all sorts of family-friendly entertainment on hand, including a Battle of Britain flypast. So whether you like your engines under the bonnet or in the clouds, there’s something for you!

Learn more

National Metro and Mini Show (3rd-4th August)

They say good things come in small packages, and if you’re a fan of small cars then the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, Warwickshire is the place to be this August.

There’s Mini stunt shows, live music, competitions and this year promises to be extra special as it’s the Mini’s 60th anniversary. That means organisers are planning to break a Guinness World Record by spelling out ‘Mini 60’ with around 600 of the cars themselves…

Learn more

NEC Classic Motor Show (8-10 November)

Fans of vintage vehicles won’t want to miss this motor show in Birmingham’s NEC, the UK’s largest indoor classic show taking place over a staggering million square metres. That’s a lot of classics!

From specific trading areas where you can chat to dealers to a live stage with celebrity guests, there’s pretty much everything you could ever wish for under one (very large) roof.

With over 3,000 vehicles on display, you can easily spend all day test driving, buying, selling, sourcing parts and tools, or just basking in all the vintage glory.

Learn more

The best classic car shows in the East Midlands and East Anglia

Silverstone Classic (26th-28th July)

Can’t make the British Grand Prix? Why not check out the Silverstone Classic, held at the Northamptonshire circuit a few weeks later? Here you’ll find F1, F2 and F3 cars competing on the track in one of the UK’s fastest car events.

There’s a packed programme of events at the Silverstone Classic - alongside all the action on the track, the evening entertainment will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Woodstock with “3 days of Rocking and Racing.”

With plenty of other activities and entertainment on hand for children it’s the perfect place to spend the weekend with the family while catching some unforgettable retro racing.

Learn more

  • The best European motoring events in 2019
  • How to pack a car for a road trip – video guide

The best classic car shows in Yorkshire and Humber

Yorkshire Classic Vehicle Show (27th May)

Head to the 700-year-old Ripley Castle on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales for the region’s premier classic vehicle show.

As well as a large auto-jumble sale and trade stands, there’ll be a huge collection of classic cars and motorbikes to explore and, of course, the show’s ever-popular Land Rover display.

Learn more

Heartbeat Historic Rally (13th-14th July)

If you’re a fan of legendary TV show, Heartbeat, you’ll want to make the trip up to Goathland in Yorkshire for this festival celebrating the very best of both the show and the 1960s.

As well as music and food from the decade, you’ll be able to get up close and personal with the vehicles included in the show, from the police van to Peggy’s car. Stars of the show will also be on hand for autographs and selfies.

Learn more

The best classic car shows in the North East and North West

The best classic car shows near me | Calendar & Guide | RAC Drive (3)

Tatton Car Spectacular (1st-2nd June)

The most popular car show in the North West, the Tatton Car Spectacular sees around 2,000 classic and performance cars on display in the sumptuous grounds of Tatton Park in Cheshire.

Plenty of the UK’s top car clubs are in attendance, while the autojumble sale is popular with owners looking for bargains. Light entertainment and fairground rides make this a great day out for the whole family.

Learn more

CarFest (North) (26-28 July)

This one might not be your typical classic car show, but it’s definitely a great car-inspired family day out. As well as a selection of classics, CarFest offers car rides, weird cars from around the world as well as live music, a kids’ theatre and even a car-nival.

The brainchild of Chris Evans, CarFest raises money for BBC Children in Need. And if Cheshire sounds too far away, worry not! There’s also a CarFest South, which takes place in late August outside Overton in Hampshire.

The best classic car shows in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Kames Classic Car Show (2nd June)

Explore the best in competition cars, rally cars and other classics from throughout the decades at southern Scotland’s popular Kames Classic Car Show held near Muirkirk in Ayrshire.

The star of this year’s show will be the 1903 Humber Humberette, and be sure to stick around for the parade lap of the circuit at the end of the day. There’s also something a bit different with gorgeous classic trucks and emergency vehicles on display.

Learn more

Kilbroney Vintage Show (15th June)

As Northern Ireland’s premier classic car show, this event in Kilbroney is definitely not to be missed, with the line-up ranging from retro tractors to Mini Coopers and most things in between. Did you know that the RAC offer classic tractor insurance? You do now!

The show is held in a stunning location near the Irish border, so why not explore Ireland a little further with one of these great Irish road trips? Just remember you’ll need European breakdown cover if you drive in the Republic.

Learn more

The best classic car shows near me | Calendar & Guide | RAC Drive (2024)

FAQs

What is the largest classic car show? ›

In 1995, the first Woodward Dream Cruise took place as a small fundraiser to support a local soccer field. Today, it's the world's largest one-day automotive event, with some 40,000 classic cars and more than 1 million people in attendance.

What is the biggest car show in the US today? ›

The Nation's Largest Auto Show | Chicago Auto Show.

What is the biggest car cruise in the US? ›

The Woodward Dream Cruise is the world's largest one-day automotive event, drawing about 1.5 million people and 40,000 cars, trucks, motorcycles, and supercars - both classic and modern - each year from around the globe.

What is the best old car to fix up? ›

Top 10 Most Popular Classic Vehicles to Restore
  • Plymouth Barracuda (1970-1974) ...
  • Chevrolet Bel Air (1955-1957) ...
  • Chevrolet Impala (1965) ...
  • Chevrolet Chevelle (1964-1972) ...
  • Pontiac GTO (1964-1972) ...
  • Dodge Charger (1968-1970) ...
  • Chevy Advance Design Pickup (1947-1954) ...
  • Pontiac Firebird (1970-1973)
Dec 12, 2022

What place is the US has the most classic cars? ›

Top 10 North American Classic Car Capitals
  • Indianapolis, Indiana. That's right, we're biased. ...
  • Monterey, California. ...
  • Chatham-Kent, Ontario. ...
  • Scottsdale, Arizona. ...
  • Detroit, Michigan. ...
  • Los Angeles, California. ...
  • Miami, Florida. ...
  • Portland, Oregon.

What is the worlds most famous car show? ›

Across the automotive world, the Geneva Motor Show is known as a top not-to-be-missed event, welcoming over 685,000 car-loving individuals from around the world each year.

What city has the best auto show? ›

The Chicago Auto Show has long enjoyed a reputation as one of the best car shows in the U.S. It's also the largest and longest-running show of its kind in the country.

Which states have the best car shows? ›

  • The Chicago Auto Show is, by most measures, the largest in the USA. ...
  • The Detroit Auto show is another big one, and often steals auto news from the Chicago Auto Show by virtue of taking place just a few weeks earlier, in mid-January.
  • If you are into classic cars, Michigan has two notable shows.
May 6, 2024

What is the most expensive car show? ›

The event hosts the Pebble Beach Auctions, which is an auto auction centered around high-end vehicles valued in the millions. In 2022 alone the auction's total sales accounted for $469 million USD.

What is the new cars show called? ›

Cars on the Road (TV Mini Series 2022) - IMDb.

Where is the largest classic car show in the US? ›

Woodward Dream Cruise - Michigan

The Woodward Dream Cruise, held annually in Michigan, is the world's largest one-day automotive event.

What is the biggest cruise port in the US? ›

The top 3 largest cruise ports are PortMiami, Port Canaveral, and Port Everglades, all located in Florida, USA.

Where are the biggest car shows? ›

The five most prestigious auto shows, sometimes called the "Big Five", are generally considered to be held in Frankfurt, Geneva, Detroit, Paris and Tokyo.

What is the cheapest make of car to repair? ›

As of CR's 2024 report, the cheapest car brands to repair and maintain over the first 10 years of ownership are Tesla ($4,035), Buick ($4,900), and Toyota ($4,900). The most expensive makes to maintain are Land Rover ($19,250), Porsche ($14,090), and Mercedes-Benz ($10,525).

Is it cheaper to restore a car or buy one? ›

There's no clear-cut answer to these questions, but we can show the pros and cons for each option to help you make a more informed decision. People are often surprised by how much it costs to keep an older vehicle running, but it is almost always cheaper to repair your car than buy a new one.

Are restored cars worth it? ›

If you plan to restore the car and then sell it, the process might be a good investment. Restored classic cars can easily sell for tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the make and model. If you want to keep the car for yourself, though, you won't recoup the money you spent to restore it.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Jamar Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 5455

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jamar Nader

Birthday: 1995-02-28

Address: Apt. 536 6162 Reichel Greens, Port Zackaryside, CT 22682-9804

Phone: +9958384818317

Job: IT Representative

Hobby: Scrapbooking, Hiking, Hunting, Kite flying, Blacksmithing, Video gaming, Foraging

Introduction: My name is Jamar Nader, I am a fine, shiny, colorful, bright, nice, perfect, curious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.