Something that brings people together is their love of cars and that is why there are millions of people that attend car festivals every year.
The UK is a hotbed for car festivals as some of the worlds best are held on our shores. These range from classic car shows to events showing off the latest performance vehicles.
The other great aspect of visiting a car festival in the UK is the variety of them as they give you the opportunity to not only see the latest models but to test out new technologies, watch demonstrations and discuss things like the cost for 1 day car insurance for some of these latest models.
Take a look at some of the biggest and best car shows and festivals across the UK in 2020 and choose which ones you’d like to go to.
Autosport International
Date: 9-12 January 2020
Location: NEC, Birmingham
View this post on Instagram
Regarded as the biggest pre-season motorsport show, the Autosport International event brings together the racing, automotive and engineering sectors into one big place.
Motorsport enthusiasts of all ages can see the fastest cars, biggest stars and adrenaline-spiking live action over the course of the show. There will be more than 1,000 motors on display, and you can even get behind the wheel in the UK’s largest e-sports fan village and discover petrolhead heaven at the Performance & Tuning Car Show.
Crowds can ask star drivers a range of questions or get autographs at the Autosport Stage and in previous years the likes of Jenson Button and Lando Norris have been in attendance.
The London Classic Car Show
Date: 20-23 February 2020
Location: Olympia London
The London Classic Car Show is a must-attend event for classic car owners, collectors, experts and enthusiasts. Visitors have the opportunity to view and purchase a wide range of desirable cars from world-renowned dealers.
The show plays host to some of the most exotic and exquisite marques from throughout the decades. Previously displays have included Jochen Mass’ 1987 Rothmans Porsche 962C and the Maserati 250F owned by Sir Stirling Moss, in which he won the Monaco GP in 1956.
For those wanting to add to their classic car collection, or to make their first investment purchase, get there early. Thursday’s Preview Evening Premium tickets (£75 in advance) will get you through the door first and give you the best opportunity to see what’s for sale and negotiate with the dealers. These tickets also give you the chance to see a yet-to-be-revealed industry personality receive the show’s coveted Icon Award, and also include two complimentary drinks, show guide and lanyard.
Advance tickets for the London Classic Car Show starts from £25 per adult, £20 per child (6-16) and £75 per family (two adults, two children). Entry for children under the age of six years is free.
Donington Historic Festival
Date: 1-3 May 2020
Location: Castle Donington, Derby
HUGE congratulations to @ColinTurkington as he achieves his fourth BTCC crown! Alongside all the modern track action we hope to see the Champ out in a classic and doing his thing at DHF again in 2020! @DoningtonParkUK https://t.co/2Y96e1fteP pic.twitter.com/OUsSIt5YJS
— Donington Historic (@donington_hist) October 14, 2019
The Donington Historic Festival is now an established fixture on the international historic racing calendar. Thousands of spectators and hundreds of world-class racing cars descend here during the festival.
On top of watching these historic cars fighting it out with each other on the track, there are lots of attractions and activities to keep you occupied away from it.
There will be a big display by the British Historic Kart Club, a passenger ride in a variety of classic and modern sports and saloon cars, iconic World War II flypasts and F1 cars that will be on display, with some even taking to the track for demonstrations.
Heveningham Concours
Date: 27-28 June 2020
Location: Suffolk
Credit: Tim Scott
In 2020, Heveningham Concours will be running its fifth annual motorsport and aviation event. Once again, there will be around 50 of the world’s finest and rarest motor cars on show as well as around a dozen of the world’s most historic propeller aeroplanes.
The event sees entrants and special guests drive through the Suffolk countryside and each year judges award a variety of trophies to the following classes: post-war, pre-war and supercar. There’s also an award for the best-in-show aeroplane.
If you visit the event you can also watch a timed drag race along the estate’s main drive, which is called Horsepower Hill. This takes place on both days and features its own paddock and doughnut ring.
The other unique features of the Concours is the fact the event takes place at the same time as the estate’s long-running charity Country Fair – featuring aerobatic displays, flypasts and main ring events plus much more.
Goodwood Festival of Speed
Date: 9-12 July 2020
Location: Goodwood House, Chichester, West Sussex
Festival of Speed 2019 – Highlights from Goodwood Estate on Vimeo.
Dubbed the largest motoring garden party in the world, this unique British car festival brings together a mix of cars and motorsport royalty.
Held in the grounds of Goodwood House, this event regularly welcomes around 100,000 visitors on each day of the festival.
One of the most famous elements of the Goodwood Festival of Speed is the Hillclimb. This sees old and new race cars and bikes speeding up the hill.
Other popular features include:
- The F1 Pit Lane – your chance to get a close-up view of F1 cars like Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bulls.
- The Arena – dedicated to cars that are legends of drift.
- Michelin Supercar Paddock – here the fastest and most technically advanced supercars gather.
CarFest North
Date: 24-26 July 2020
Location: Bolesworth, Cheshire
View this post on Instagram
CarFest will be celebrating its ninth birthday in 2020 and during this time around one million people have visited the festival.
CarFest North will again be raising money for UK Children’s charities and this all-encompassing car show is the brainchild of radio DJ and television presenter Chris Evans.
Here you can see car exhibits and races as well as visit the live music stages, as well as food and drink venues. It is a family-friendly event with funfair rides and a ‘Car’-nival Parade taking place too.
Paul Hadley, the editor of car blog Motor Verso, told us why it is the best car festival he has been to: “The location is great for a lot of the country. Access is easy. The cars available on the circuit and on display are incredible. But the best thing about car fest is that it is really family-friendly. There is something there to interest everyone. And the music element is such a big bonus, there is often a good set of acts on all evening.
READ MORE: The most popular songs for driving playlists
Here is just a reminder of the best car festivals in the UK you should visit:
- Autosport International
- The London Classic Car Show
- Donington Historic Festival
- Heveningham Concours
- Goodwood Festival of Speed
- CarFest North
For further tips and advice, make sure to visit the Dayinsure news section.
