3 April
Wheels Day Rushmoor
Rushmoor Arena (Hampshire)
The UK's oldest hot rod and kustom gathering, traditionally held on Good Friday.
Official website2026 · United Kingdom
American Car Shows in the UK 2026
Calendar of the biggest American-car shows and hot-rod meets across the UK in 2026.
April
June
13–14 June
American SpeedFest
Brands Hatch
UK's American motorsport festival pairing oval-style demo races with a massive American show car infield.
Official website
19–21 June
Hot Rod Hayride
Bisley (Surrey)
Pre-1966 only weekender at Bisley Shooting Centre (Surrey): pre-'66 nostalgia rod/kustom show field, Circle of Champions hosted by the Vintage Hot Rod Association, Sunday Soapbox Derby, rock'n'roll bands and DJs, camping on site.
Official website
21 June
Beaulieu Custom and American Show
Beaulieu (Hampshire)
American and custom show at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, held over Father's Day.
Official websiteJuly
4–5 July
Cofton's American Car Show Weekend
Dawlish (Devon)
American weekend at Cofton Holiday Park, with live music and family activities.
Official website
5 July
Classic American Stars & Stripes Tatton Park
Knutsford (Cheshire)
The largest American car show in north-west England for more than 35 years, held in Tatton Park at Knutsford.
Official website
9–12 July
Goodwood Festival of Speed
Chichester (Goodwood)
Hillclimb festival with a recurring Cartier lawn class and Detroit muscle hill runs.
Official website
19 July
American Auto Club Rally of the Giants
Woburn Abbey
AAC's flagship one-day all-American show on the Woburn Abbey lawn, judged by club registers.
Official websiteAugust
6–9 August
NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals
Old Warden
Pre-1973 hot rod nationals on Shuttleworth airfield grass, the UK's traditional rod scene flagship.
Official website
15–16 August
Mopar Euronationals
Santa Pod Raceway
Europe's largest Mopar gathering, combining drag racing and a show on the Santa Pod strip.
Official website
22 August
Oulton Park U.S. AutoShow
Oulton Park (Cheshire)
US day at Oulton Park circuit, with Bernie's V8s racing and an American show car park.
Official websiteSeptember
5–6 September
NSRA Hot Rod Drags
Santa Pod Raceway
Pre-1973 only nostalgia drag weekend run by the National Street Rod Association at Santa Pod.
Official website
18–20 September
Goodwood Revival
Chichester (Goodwood)
Period-dress historic race meet where Galaxies, Mustangs and Falcons headline the St Mary's Trophy.
Official website
20 September
Stonham Barns American Car Show
Stonham Barns (Suffolk)
Spring American car show at Stonham Barns, with Harleys, food trucks and live music.
Official websiteOctober
17–18 October
Big Bang
Santa Pod Raceway
Clôture de saison drag de Santa Pod avec feu d'artifice et exhibition americaine.
Official websiteHow the American car calendar works in the UK
This page lists 15 American car events in the UK for 2026, running from April 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 Wheels Day Rushmoor and closes with Big Bang. Activity peaks in July, with 4 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 Rushmoor Arena, Brands Hatch, Bisley, Beaulieu, Dawlish and Knutsford. 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 American SpeedFest, Hot Rod Hayride and Beaulieu Custom and American Show. The full calendar, with cities and official links, appears above.
It runs from April to October in 2026, peaking in July. The first event of the year is Wheels Day Rushmoor and the last is Big Bang.
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 and 3 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| April | 1 | Wheels Day Rushmoor |
| June | 3 | American SpeedFest |
| July | 4 | American Auto Club Rally of the Giants |
| August | 3 | NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals |
| September | 3 | Stonham Barns American Car Show |
| October | 1 | Big Bang |
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.