16–18 January
Kumeu Classic Car & Hot Rod Festival
Kumeu (Auckland)
North Island hot rod and American classic show on the Kumeu showgrounds.
Official website Details & programme2026 · New Zealand
American Car Shows in New Zealand 2026
Calendar of the biggest American-car events across New Zealand in 2026.
January
22–25 January
Muscle Car Madness
Rangiora (Canterbury)
Annual hot rod and muscle car weekend at the Rangiora Showgrounds north of Christchurch, with a Thursday-night 'Twin Towns' cruise to Kaiapoi, a public show on Saturday and Sunday and a burnout competition. The 36th edition ran in January 2026; founder Craig Stare sold the event to former All Black Brodie Retallick.
Official websiteFebruary
23–27 February
Americarna
New Plymouth (Taranaki)
Five-day American-only festival around Taranaki with multiple themed cruises and a main-street show.
Official website Details & programmeMarch
25–29 March
Repco Beach Hop
Whangamatā (Coromandel)
New Zealand's flagship pre-79 hot rod and US classic festival, week-long beachside cruise on the Coromandel.
Official website Details & programme
26–29 March 2027
NZHRA Street Rod Nationals
Te Awamutu (2027, host club rotates)
National street rod gathering sanctioned by the New Zealand Hot Rod Association, hosted each year by a different member club. The 2027 edition is hosted by Te Awamutu Rod & Custom Club at its clubrooms and the Te Awamutu Events Centre; the 2028 edition is listed for 12-15 April 2028 with the Americar Rod & Custom Club.
Official website Details & programmeHow the American car calendar works in New Zealand
This page lists 5 verified American car events in New Zealand for the 2026 season, running from January to March; every entry is backed by at least two independent sources. 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 Kumeu Classic Car & Hot Rod Festival and closes with Repco Beach Hop. The busiest month is January, with 2 events.
Where the events take place
Events take place in Kumeu, Rangiora, New Plymouth, Whangamatā and Te Awamutu. 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.
Already announced for 2027
Several organisers have already published their 2027 dates: NZHRA Street Rod Nationals (26–29 March 2027). They will move into the 2027 calendar as soon as it goes live.
Snapshots of the American car scene
Frequently asked questions
Among the major events listed on this page are Kumeu Classic Car & Hot Rod Festival, Muscle Car Madness and NZHRA Street Rod Nationals. The full calendar, with cities and official links, appears above.
In 2026 it runs from January to March, peaking in January. The first event of the year is Kumeu Classic Car & Hot Rod Festival and the last is Repco Beach Hop.
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 5 events listed here, there are 2 shows, 1 festival and 2 cruises. 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.
Meet
An informal gathering of owners, often free for visitors, held in a car park, a square or a dedicated site. It is usually short, frequently a single morning.
Cruise / parade
A convoy of vehicles along an announced route, sometimes after dark. The appeal is seeing the cars moving rather than parked.
How the 2026 season breaks down
| Month | Events | Example |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | Kumeu Classic Car & Hot Rod Festival |
| February | 1 | Americarna |
| March | 2 | Repco Beach Hop |
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.