Classic Car Calendar 2026–2027: The Events in Europe and the UK Worth Travelling For

This time of year, with the season winding down, is a good moment to open a calendar and mark where you’d like to be next year. Then reality arrives, work, tickets, and out of ten we end up at two. But making the list is half the fun. So this year, I’m sharing it with you. I’ve gathered the big classic car events in Europe and the UK from now until the end of 2027. Where the date has been officially announced, I give it. Where not yet, I give the period it usually takes place. Before you book anything, always check each event’s official website, because dates do sometimes change.

Autumn and winter 2026: the big shows

Auto e Moto d’Epoca, Bologna (22–25 October 2026). Italy’s biggest classic car show and market, which moved from Padua to Bologna in 2023. Cars, motorcycles and, above all, parts. If you’re looking for something specific for an Italian classic, this is where your chances are. Classic Motor Show, NEC Birmingham (13–15 November 2026). The biggest classic car show in the UK. Hundreds of clubs, restorations, parts stalls and a crowd that lives for old cars. For anyone with a British classic, it’s almost compulsory. Essen Motor Show (28 November – 6 December 2026). In Essen, Germany. It’s mainly a tuning and motorsport show, but from this year it has dedicated halls for classics, organised by Messe Essen itself.

Winter 2027: Paris, Monaco, the Netherlands

InterClassics Maastricht (14–17 January 2027). The first show of the year, with around 800 cars, from pre-war to youngtimers. This year it’s dedicated to the Mille Miglia. Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique (27 January – 3 February 2027). A historic regularity rally for cars that ran in the Monte Carlo up to 1983. It starts from various European cities and finishes at the harbour in Monaco. If you like Minis, Alpines and Fulvias in the snow, there’s no better sight. Rétromobile, Paris (3–7 February 2027). For me, the most elegant classic car show in Europe. At Porte de Versailles, with museum-grade cars, special exhibitions and some of the biggest auctions of the year.

Bremen Classic Motorshow (5–7 February 2027) in Bremen, and the new Padova Only Classics (26–28 February 2027) in Padua, only for vehicles up to 1977. If you went to the old Padua show, it will be interesting to see what the new one is like.

Spring 2027: the season opens

Goodwood Members’ Meeting (10–11 April 2027). Historic racing at the Goodwood circuit, without the huge crowds of the Revival. Many say this is where you see the best racing of the year. Retro Classics Essen (14–18 April 2027) and Retro Classics Stuttgart (29 April – 2 May 2027). Two huge German shows. In Essen, Retro Classics took over the April slot that Techno-Classica used to have, which has moved to September. Tour Auto (April 2027). A historic rally in France, with special stages and circuit races. The date hasn’t been announced yet. Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este (second half of May 2027). On Lake Como. Europe’s most famous concours, with cars that rarely leave collectors’ garages. This year it took place on 15–17 May.

Summer 2027: Mille Miglia, Le Mans, Goodwood

1000 Miglia (June 2027). 2027 marks one hundred years since the first race in 1927. I expect a very special edition, from Brescia to Rome and back. The exact dates haven’t been published yet.

Le Mans Classic (early July 2027). Since 2026 it’s held every year rather than every two. 2027 is the turn of the “Heritage” edition, with cars from 1923 to the ’70s, on the same circuit as the 24 Hours. Goodwood Festival of Speed (15–18 July 2027). The famous hillclimb on the Goodwood estate, where classics, racing cars and new cars all climb the same hill. The most “family” of England’s big events. AvD Oldtimer-Grand-Prix, Nürburgring (mid-August 2027). One of Europe’s biggest historic race meetings, with the atmosphere of a folk festival.

Autumn 2027: the Revival and the concours

Salon Privé (Blenheim Palace) and Concours of Elegance (Hampton Court Palace), both in early September. Concours events at British palaces, with the rarest cars around. Goodwood Revival (17–19 September 2027). If I could go to only one of all these, I’d pick this one. Historic racing with cars up to 1966, and everyone, spectators and drivers, dressed as if we were in the ’50s and ’60s. It’s not just a race meeting. It’s time travel. And to close the circle: Techno-Classica Essen in September, Auto e Moto d’Epoca in late October, and the Classic Motor Show at the NEC again in November.

Two notes

The Monaco Historic Grand Prix is held every two years. It took place in 2026, so the next one will be in 2028. And the Silverstone Festival, the former Silverstone Classic, hasn’t announced anything for 2027 yet, since in 2026 its place in the calendar was taken by CarFest. Which one would you go to? If you go to any of them, send me photos and your impressions. I’ll be very happy to post them here. P.Kefalas Photo Credits: David Merrett from Daventry, England (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0) · Thesupermat (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0) · Yanko Malinov (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0) · Anders Bot (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0) · Mirko Zammarchi from Italia (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0)