17–18 January
Kumeu Classic Car & Hot Rod Festival
Kumeu (Auckland)
North Island hot rod and American classic show on the Kumeu showgrounds.
Official website2026 · New Zealand
American Car Shows in New Zealand 2026
Calendar of the biggest American-car events across New Zealand in 2026.
January
February
8 February
Ellerslie Intermarque Concours
Auckland (Ellerslie)
Concours d'élégance Auckland avec classe American Iron récurrente.
Official website
23–27 February
Americarna
New Plymouth (Taranaki)
Five-day American-only festival around Taranaki with multiple themed cruises and a main-street show.
Official websiteMarch
25–29 March
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
26–29 March
NZHRA Street Rod Nationals
Te Awamutu
New Zealand's longest-running hot rod gathering, organised by the NZHRA.
Official websiteApril
5 April
Wanaka Wheels & Wings
Wanaka
Classic car and aviation show at Wanaka, with a strong American muscle contingent.
Official websiteOctober
24–26 October
Mustang Owners Club NZ National Convention
rotating
National Mustang convention in New Zealand, with host cities rotating each edition.
Official websiteHow the American car calendar works in New Zealand
This page lists 7 American car events in New Zealand for 2026, running from January to October. 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 Mustang Owners Club NZ National Convention. Activity peaks in February, 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 Kumeu, Auckland, New Plymouth, Whangamatā, Te Awamutu and Wanaka. 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 Kumeu Classic Car & Hot Rod Festival, Americarna and Beach Hop. The full calendar, with cities and official links, appears above.
It runs from January to October in 2026, peaking in February. The first event of the year is Kumeu Classic Car & Hot Rod Festival and the last is Mustang Owners Club NZ National Convention.
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 7 events listed here, there are 4 shows, 1 meet and 2 cruises and festivals. 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 | 1 | Kumeu Classic Car & Hot Rod Festival |
| February | 2 | Americarna |
| March | 2 | NZHRA Street Rod Nationals |
| April | 1 | Wanaka Wheels & Wings |
| October | 1 | Mustang Owners Club NZ National Convention |
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.