8–11 January
Summernats
Canberra
Australia's signature street machine festival famous for the Burnout Masters competition at EPIC.
Official website2026 · Australia
American Car Shows in Australia 2026
Calendar of the biggest American-car shows and muscle-car meets across Australia in 2026.
January
24–25 January
Kandos Street Machine & Hot Rod Show
Kandos (NSW, Central West)
Volunteer-run country show over the Australia Day long weekend, 24 and 25 January 2026, in the Central West NSW town of Kandos. Show n shine, burnout competition and grass events; in 2026 the burnout competition became a Pro Burnout Series qualifier for the first time.
Official websiteFebruary
27 February – 1 March
Chryslers on the Murray
Wodonga (VIC) - Wodonga Racecourse
33rd edition, 27 February to 1 March 2026, at the new venue of Wodonga Racecourse (Hamilton-Smith Drive) after more than ten years on Gateway Island. The largest Chrysler-marque event in the southern hemisphere: swap meet, driving events, judged competitions and entertainment.
Official websiteMarch
2–8 March
Hot Rod Week (DLRA)
Lake Gairdner (SA)
Semaine speed sur la salt-flat de Lake Gairdner, équivalent australien de Bonneville.
Official website
14–15 March
Kustom Nationals
Valla Beach (NSW)
Pre-1964 only camping weekender, judged in the traditional finned-custom style.
Official websiteApril
4–6 April
Rockynats
Rockhampton
Queensland's Easter answer to Summernats with CBD street circuit drift and burnouts.
Official website
4–6 April
Valla Park Burnout Pad Battle
Valla Park (NSW)
Battle burnout sur la Pad de Valla Park, complément du Kustom Nationals.
More infoMay
23 May
Hot Rod & Custom Auto Expo
Sydney (Rosehill Gardens)
NSW's largest hot rod and custom expo at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, blending elite hot rods and street machines with lowrider and kustom kulture.
Official websiteJuly
18–19 July
MotorEx
Melbourne / Sydney (rotates)
Indoor 'Meguiar's Superstars' show featuring Australia's highest-build customs and the House of Kolor hall.
Official websiteAugust
29–30 August
Krome Rock N Rods
Laidley (QLD)
Two-day rockabilly and hot rod festival at Laidley Showgrounds, Queensland, Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August 2026. American and Australian classics up to the 1970s, vintage and custom cruisers, live rock'n'roll and rockabilly all weekend, dancing, market stalls and food.
Official website
29–30 August
Muscle Car Masters Sydney
Sydney Motorsport Park (Eastern Creek)
Retour 2026 à Sydney Motorsport Park des Apex Steel Muscle Car Masters avec courses Heritage et Group A/C.
Official websiteSeptember
3–6 September
Red CentreNATS
Alice Springs
Outback sister event to Summernats with go-to-whoa runs along the Stuart Highway.
Official website
13 September
Eliminators Swap Meet & Show n Shine
Beenleigh (QLD)
Annual swap meet and show n shine of the Eliminators Hot Rod & American Car Club at Beenleigh Showgrounds, Sunday 13 September 2026. Swap meet from 6am, show n shine from 8am, licensed bar from 10am, 20+ custom trophies. Free off-street parking via Milne Street. The club supports the Family and Kids Care Foundation in Logan.
Official websiteOctober
17–18 October
Motorclassica
Melbourne (Royal Exhibition Building)
Australian concours d'elegance with an annual class dedicated to Detroit muscle.
Official websiteNovember
9–15 November
Drag Challenge
Heathcote / multi-track
Five-day five-track touring drag series organised by Street Machine magazine.
Official websiteHow the American car calendar works in Australia
This page lists 15 American car events in Australia for 2026, running from January to November. Each entry gives the city, the dates and the organiser's official link. Relative dates have been resolved against the real 2026 calendar; always confirm exact timings with the organiser before travelling.
How the season unfolds
The season opens with Summernats and closes with Drag Challenge. Activity peaks in January, with 2 events. Winter months are dominated by indoor shows, while the warmer months concentrate outdoor meets, cruises and circuit events.
Where the events take place
Events are spread across Canberra, Kandos, Wodonga - Wodonga Racecourse, Lake Gairdner, Valla Beach and Valla Park. Some are ticketed trade shows, others informal free gatherings; each entry states the format and links through to the official source.
Bringing your own vehicle
Most gatherings welcome American vehicles of any generation, usually with prior registration through the organising club. Display conditions, fees and any vehicle age restrictions vary between events: check the official site linked on each entry.
Snapshots of the American car scene
Frequently asked questions
The most significant events listed on this page are Summernats, Kandos Street Machine & Hot Rod Show and Chryslers on the Murray. The full calendar, with cities and official links, appears above.
It runs from January to November in 2026, peaking in January. The first event of the year is Summernats and the last is Drag Challenge.
Every card links through to the organiser's official website. Dates shown here are calculated for 2026 from each event's usual pattern: always confirm the final date at source.
Yes, provided the vehicle is registered and insured in its country of residence. Entry conditions as an exhibitor depend on each organiser.
Yes. We source the vehicle in the United States, handle shipping, customs clearance and type-approval, and deliver it ready to drive.
The different event formats
Not every entry in this calendar works the same way. Understanding the format helps you pick the one that suits you, whether you are coming as a spectator or to display your own vehicle.
Of the 15 events listed here, there are 12 shows, 1 cruise or festival and 2 drag events. That mix is specific to this country, and it shapes what kind of outing you can plan in each part of the season.
Show
An indoor event, usually ticketed, with trade exhibitors, parts stands and vehicles displayed statically. This is the dominant format in winter.
Cruise / parade
A convoy of vehicles along an announced route, sometimes after dark. The appeal is seeing the cars moving rather than parked.
Drag and track
Timed runs on a straight line or track sessions on a circuit, with a show car park alongside the competition.
Swap meet
A spare-parts market, often attached to a show, where hard-to-source original components can be found.
How the 2026 season breaks down
| Month | Events | Example |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | Summernats |
| February | 1 | Chryslers on the Murray |
| March | 2 | Hot Rod Week (DLRA) |
| April | 2 | Valla Park Burnout Pad Battle |
| May | 1 | Hot Rod & Custom Auto Expo |
| July | 1 | MotorEx |
| August | 2 | Muscle Car Masters Sydney |
| September | 2 | Red CentreNATS |
| October | 1 | Motorclassica |
| November | 1 | Drag Challenge |
How this calendar is compiled
Every event on this page is checked against at least two independent sources before publication: the organiser's official website, local press, or a club or federation calendar. Events whose 2026 edition could not be confirmed are removed from the list rather than carried over by default. Relative dates such as "first weekend of the month" are resolved into real dates using the 2026 calendar. Even so, an organiser may change or cancel a date after our last check: the official link on each entry remains the reference to consult before travelling.