Classic Car Events – What To Visit In 2024

For many, the dawn of a new year brings with it an opportunity to look forward to the future, to what another trip around the sun may bring. It’s a time for planning, for filling the old diary with the things we want to do and achieve. Well, in the words of the King himself, it’s time for a little less conversation and a little more action because procrastination is like a credit card; it’s all fun and games until you get the bill, so why not lock in some dates this year and get along to those classic car events that you’ve always been meaning to attend but just never seem to get around to?

We caught a whole bunch of classic car events last year, from smaller but growing gatherings like the Retro Rides Weekender and the Radwood and Roll Hard bashes to larger, world-renowned dos such as the SEMA show in Vegas, Top Marques Monaco and the Le Mans Classic. Whatever the size, however, we had a blast at all of them and that’s the beautiful thing about this wonderful world of classics that we’re all so obsessed with and passionate about. It’s that shared zeal and love that brings us all together no matter the vehicle, background or budget meaning every event, from the smallest local meets to the largest, most extravagant events all have one thing in common. With so many throughout the year to choose from (and you should attend as many as possible!) it’s a difficult job to whittle them down but here goes, so open up your diaries and get planning because here is, in no specific order, our pick of five classic car events not to miss in 2024.

1) Retro Rides Gathering – 11th of August

The Retro Rides Gathering has gone from strength to strength and always boasts a huge and varied selection of classics and retro vehicles. With insane demo cars, sprint runs, car displays, club line ups, quality food trucks and the now famous Tat Auction there’s something for everyone. Not only that but you can also be part of the event if you have a qualifying classic because the car park is one giant smorgasbord of classics to drink in, too. You can even book in some track action as part of the festivities. This year sees the Mallory Park circuit in Leicestershire hosting the Gathering so visit the Retro Rides Gathering site and grab yourself some tickets now.

2) Goodwood Festival of Speed/Goodwood Revival – 11th-14th of July/6th-8th of September

OK, technically this is two events but they’re both absolutely fantastic so they both get a mention here. The Revival is entirely staged in period, immersing you in vintage racing, classic culture and past glories. Recreating the glamour of racing as it used to be, Goodwood comes to life for the Revival. This is your chance to get up close and personal with the most celebrated drivers, cars and races, all the while soaking up the wonderful atmosphere of a bygone era.

The Festival of Speed on the other hand is an epic celebration of motorsport and car culture! Held in the beautiful parkland surrounding Goodwood House, the FoS billed as motorsport’s ultimate summer garden party. Get up close and personal with the cars and bikes as they blast up the hillclimb track, enjoy unrestricted access to the machines and the drivers who made them famous and revel in all of the excitement that makes the world of motorsport so intoxicating. You can pick up tickets to both events on the Goodwood website.

3) Le Mans 24 Hour – 12th – 16th of June

OK so technically this isn’t a classic car event but the sheer number of historic vehicles you’ll bump into parked within the bowels of the circuit and driving around means it gets included here. Name a race as iconic or historically significant as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Go on, we’ll wait… Arguably one of the most important motorsport competitions in the world the 24 Hours remains a highlight of the racing (and spectator) calendar. Last year marked the centennial celebrations and we were there with our very own Bentley to partake in the festivities, helping consecrate this most hallowed of events, from its humble roots as a means of testing the durability of materials and innovations in the sport to the pinnacle of motor racing that it is today and that’s not to mention the party atmosphere at the Circuit de la Sarthe that has to be experienced at least once in your life. Do yourself a favour, gather a group of like-minded petrolhead friends, pile in your classics and make the pilgrimage to this Mecca of motorsport because, as we mentioned in our previous Le Mans feature, the journey there and back will be almost as much fun. Oh, and do make sure to visit the biannual Le Mans Classic next year too. You can thank us later. Tickets for both events are available from the official Le Mans website.

4) Festival of the Unexceptional – 27th of July

From multi million pound racing cars on the cutting edge of technology to the other end of the motoring spectrum now, but that doesn’t make FotU any less enjoyable. A celebration of the mundane, a triumph of the typical and an honouring of the ordinary the Festival of the Unexceptional commemorates and celebrates our connection with the humble car and what it means to us individuals. Once we bond with a car on an emotional level it becomes a part of us, no matter its dollar value or perceived technical merits and the Festival embraces and celebrates this in its purest form. Without doubt one of the friendliest and most inclusive classic car events on the calendar that is now into its tenth year. Pick up your tickets here.

5) Your Local Meet – throughout the year

Never underestimate small, local classic car events for an opportunity to meet like-minded enthusiasts in your area. With hundreds of such affairs happening up and down the country every year they are generally much more laid back and relaxed than the larger, professionally organised events making it incredibly easy to get involved. Plus you can nip to the local afterwards to digest everything over a pint.

The connections we make at such gregarious gatherings can reap myriad rewards too; from knowledge sharing and extra pair of hands to forging genuine friendships and the loan of a welder so you can finally sort out that dodgy floor pan. You may even find your next classic or somebody could make you an offer for yours that you can’t refuse. Owning a classic car or bike is very much a social affair so have a look at your local Internet groups or newspapers to get the low down on what’s happening near you. You never know, there could be something going on this week just around the corner so jump in your classic and get involved! We might even see you there…