For motoring enthusiasts, 2026 is shaping up to be a vintage year, with months packed full of unmissable automotive events. Now is the time to secure some dates in the calendar before the rest of the world beats you to it.
The UK punches well above its weight when it comes to automotive events. Nowhere else can you attend a world-famous Formula 1 race, a hillclimb with a century of motorsport heritage on display and an intimate gathering of classic car enthusiasts - all within a matter of weeks. With just a short skip across the channel, we have access to some of the best-known events in Europe too, for longer getaways or better weather.
To help you plan the year ahead, we have compiled a guide to the very best UK car shows for 2026, complete with dates and everything else you need to know before you book your ticket.
- Goodwood Festival of Speed
- British Grand Prix
- Salon Privé Blenheim Palace
- Caffeine & Machine
- Bicester Scramble
- The British Motor Show
- The Motorist
- Your Local Car Meet
- 24 Hours of Le Mans
- London Concours
Goodwood Festival of Speed
9-12 July 2026 | Goodwood Estate, West Sussex
For four days every July, the sweeping parkland surrounding Goodwood House transforms into an automotive wonderland. This is the largest and most diverse celebration of motorsport history on the planet.
The theme of the 2026 Festival of Speed is 'The Rivals - Epic Racing Duels', rekindling some of the fiercest and most legendary battles in motorsport history. Two rivalries sit at the heart of the celebrations: the 1976 Formula 1 title fight between James Hunt and Niki Lauda, marking its 50th anniversary, and the immortal Ford versus Ferrari war that culminated so dramatically at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans.
As ever, cars and motorcycles representing these and countless other historic rivalries will take to the famous Goodwood Hill. Adding to the attraction will be participants from Formula 1, MotoGP, the World Endurance Championship, IndyCar, the World Rally Championship and touring cars. As you can imagine, tickets usually sell out quickly for this unique event, so make sure you book at the earliest opportunity to secure your place.
British Grand Prix
2-5 July 2026 | Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire
There are grands prix, and then there is Silverstone. The Home of British Motorsport occupies a unique place in the Formula 1 calendar, having hosted the very first world championship round back in 1950.
This year's race arrives with added excitement, as the sport returns to the all-new technical regulations - and Silverstone welcomes back the Sprint format, ensuring on-track action across the full weekend. There is also the opportunity to acclaim Britain's new world champion, Lando Norris, at his home circuit.
Get ready for four days at full throttle, both on and off the track. Evening concerts, vast fan zones, the new BOXPARK trackside fan park and an atmosphere generated by hundreds of thousands of passionate British fans all contribute to making this one of the highlights of the sporting calendar.
With 2025's crowd of 500,000 setting a new record, demand for tickets will be fierce. General admission tickets start at £70, making this a surprisingly accessible event for those happy to explore the circuit on foot.
Salon Privé Blenheim Palace
2-6 September 2026 | Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Salon Privé is a quintessential English event, celebrating automotive excellence at a blissful occasion that resembles a giant garden party. Spread across five days in the glorious setting of Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, the event showcases a curated line-up of automotive classics and supercars. Each day focuses on something different, with the atmosphere as refined as the cars themselves.
The 2026 Concours by Aviva Private Clients opens proceedings on Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd of September, with the spotlight falling on 80 years of Bristol Cars, one of Britain's most characterful hand-built marques. Ladies' Day by Boodles follows on Friday, before Supercar Saturday, and the Club Trophy rounds out the week.
Whether you are a concours purist, a supercar enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates beautiful things in elegant surroundings, Salon Privé is not to be missed.
Caffeine and Machine
Year-round events | Bedfordshire, Warwickshire, and Hampshire
Caffeine & Machine has quietly become one of the most beloved destinations in British car culture - a place where a battered air-cooled Porsche sits happily alongside a pristine Ferrari, a superbike or a lovingly preserved microcar. The only thing that really matters is a shared passion for anything and everything on wheels.
With sites in Warwickshire, Bedfordshire, and Hampshire, C&M hosts rolling events and car meet mornings throughout the year, drawing everything from first cars to hypercars in an atmosphere that is refreshingly free of automotive snobbery. Exceptional food and coffee, an ever-eclectic display of machinery, and a community built on conversation and curiosity make it as much a social occasion as a motoring one.
Bicester Scramble
Multiple dates throughout 2026 | Bicester Motion, Oxfordshire
Held at the historic former RAF Bicester Bombing Training Station in Oxfordshire, the Sunday Scrambles have become eagerly anticipated events. The Scrambles run throughout the year, each with its own theme and character. Part of the appeal is the element of surprise: you never know what will be parked around the next corner of the old hangar complex.
The first Scramble of 2026 celebrated 50 years of Tom Walkinshaw Racing with a display of nearly 50 historic machines, ranging from Le Mans-winning Jaguar race cars to early Renault 5 saloon racers. The event drew a sell-out crowd despite the bracing January temperatures.
Tickets sell quickly, so keep an eye on the Bicester Motion website and book promptly when dates are announced.
The British Motor Show
21-23 August 2026 | Farnborough International, Hampshire
After a 13-year absence, the annual British Motor Show reclaimed its place as a perennial favourite on the UK motoring calendar in 2021 when it relaunched at a new venue, the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre in Hampshire.
What makes this car show different from many others we have featured in this guide is that it is designed to attract an audience beyond the traditional car enthusiast. This makes it appealing if you are looking to introduce children or less car-obsessed partners to the world of motoring.
This event has a strong focus on hands-on experiences and consistently showcases a wide variety of vehicles, ranging from the latest electric models and supercars to classics and modified cars. As well as displays from established and emerging manufacturers, you will find plenty of live demonstrations, stunt shows and other family entertainment.
The Motorist
Year-round events | Sherburn in Elmet, Yorkshire
If you have never been to The Motorist complex tucked away in the Yorkshire countryside, it is well worth a visit to one of the many events regularly hosted there. In just six years, this little-known site has transformed from an empty field with a humble food van into a state-of-the-art automotive destination and a thriving petrol-head playground.
The Motorist has built a devoted following by championing the everyday classics that shaped British life in the 1970s, '80s and '90s - cars that were once commonplace but are now quietly becoming relics of popular culture. While supercar gatherings do feature on the calendar, the venue's heart lies elsewhere. It represents the antithesis of the polished, Velvet-rope motor show, and is all the more charming for that.
The atmosphere is warm and relaxed, proving that a passion for cars does not require a six-figure budget. Keep an eye on The Motorist's website and social channels for confirmed 2026 car event details.
Your Local Car Meet
Year-round events | Nationwide
For all the spectacle of the headline events listed above, some of the most rewarding automotive experiences happen closer to home. Local meets - whether organised through club networks, social media groups, or simply a regular Sunday morning gathering in a car park - are the lifeblood of British car culture. Most require no tickets and no special access, just a shared enthusiasm for motoring.
A quick search on social media or dedicated automotive events platforms will reveal dozens of meets happening near you throughout 2026. These range from informal coffee mornings to single-marque club days at local circuits. Do not underestimate them. Some of the most interesting cars, and the best conversations, are often found away from the main stage, among owners who simply love what they drive.
24 Hours of Le Mans
10-14 June 2026 (Race: 13-14 June) | Le Mans, France
The 24 Hours of Le Mans demands a short Channel crossing - but for any serious UK motorsport enthusiast, it is a journey that needs no justification.
This is the world's oldest and most prestigious endurance race, first held in 1923 at the Circuit de la Sarthe in France. Teams of three drivers compete in cars capable of exceeding 225mph to cover the longest distance within 24 hours. Could there be a more exacting examination of durability and strategy?
Le Mans is unlike any other motorsport event. The sheer scale of the circuit, the thunderous noise through the night, the vast camping villages and the unique mix of drama and endurance reward every motor racing fan who makes the journey.
Make sure you book well in advance. Tickets for the 2025 race sold out within a single day, and the 2026 event is expected to be equally popular.
London Concours
9-11 June 2026 | Honourable Artillery Company, City of London
Tucked behind the City of London's glass towers, the walled grounds of the Honourable Artillery Company provide a graceful setting for the London Concours, with the world's rarest cars assembled in the heart of the Square Mile.
Since 2017, these manicured lawns have hosted the capital’s leading car event, a key fixture of London’s summer social calendar. Exhibits at this three-day gathering are divided into carefully curated classes, ranging from blue-chip favourites to the most explosive hypercars.
Each day is centred on a distinct theme. Opening day celebrates Porsche with a showcase of the German marque's engineering and racing heritage, while day two honours the Jaguar XK as a defining chapter in post-war British grand touring. The final day is Supercar Day, a parade of contemporary high-performance machinery.
Set against a backdrop of champagne and live music, London Concours offers a compelling case for spending a weekday in the City for pleasure rather than the usual business.
A year worth planning for
From the thunderous pageantry of Silverstone to the hushed appreciation of a perfectly preserved classic on the Blenheim Palace lawn, 2026 offers something for every kind of automotive enthusiast in the UK. Whether you choose one marquee event or build a full year around the calendar, the experiences on offer are genuinely world-class. For a country that has contributed so much to the history of motoring, that seems entirely fitting.
At Stratstone, we also host our own exclusive events through Club HLS, a bespoke multi-brand owners club crafted to bring together like-minded enthusiasts who share a passion for performance, luxury, and lifestyle.
