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With Monterey Car Week just a month away, the Monterey Peninsula is once again preparing to welcome the world’s most passionate collectors, designers, and enthusiasts for a week that defines the collector car calendar.
While much of the week unfolds behind velvet ropes, a remarkable number of Auto Week’s signature happenings remain open to the public — whether through ticketed access or free viewing along the road.
Consider this your roadmap. Here are a variety of the best events worth building your Car Week itinerary around, in the order they’ll unfold.
MOTORLUX Presented by Hagerty — August 12
Monterey Car Week always needs a proper send-off, and MOTORLUX has become the way to start it. Presented by Hagerty and staged along the runway at the Monterey Jet Center, the evening pairs rare automobiles with equally rare aircraft, all set against six distinct thematic worlds for 2026 — from a nod to Bugatti’s French racing heritage, to a tribute honoring 65 years of the Jaguar E-Type, to a celebration of Italian V12 glamour and a journey through cherry blossom season by way of Japanese design.
Guests can expect cuisine and cocktails curated to match each theme, live entertainment, dancing beneath the stars, and an up-close look at hundreds of significant vehicles before the week’s momentum truly builds. MOTORLUX runs from 6:00 to 10:00 PM, with tickets granting access to the evening’s culinary and entertainment experiences across the grounds.
An Eve on the Green — August 13
Making its debut in 2026, An Eve on the Green arrives courtesy of The Peninsula as a companion to The Quail week. This inaugural gala commemorates the 100th anniversary of Route 66, opening with an immersive journey through the highway’s most iconic imagery before transitioning into a dinner crafted by the culinary team behind the two-Michelin-starred L’Oiseau Blanc in Paris. The night closes with a headline performance from a celebrated country music entertainer. It’s an early marker of just how elevated this year’s Car Week hospitality has become.
The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering — August 14
The following day belongs to The Quail by The Peninsula, now in its 23rd year and widely regarded as one of the week’s most coveted garden-party experiences. Held at The Quail in Carmel from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, 2026’s gathering centers on four classes: the 100th anniversary of Route 66, the Lamborghini Diablo, the legacy of Japanese GT cars, and the Ferrari F40. Confirmed brand activations include Bugatti, Defender, Brabus, Spyker, and Eccentrica, alongside more than a dozen vehicle debuts from top manufacturers and designers. For the first time, new auction partner Broad Arrow Auctions will host a two-day sale at The Quail Golf Club spanning Thursday and Friday, assembling roughly 175 of the market’s most sought-after collector cars.
Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion — WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
As one of the most thrilling events happening during Monterey Car Week, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion turns Laguna Seca into a living museum of motorsport history. Now in its sixth decade, the 2026 edition honors the icons of Japanese motorsport as its featured marque, bringing together legendary machines from Mazda, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Lexus, Acura, and more — spanning everything from IndyCar and Formula 1 to endurance racing, rally, and drifting. Beyond the on-track action, fans can expect family activities, elevated dining, and rare opportunities to meet legendary drivers while soaking in the sound of period-correct race cars at full song.
The Auction Houses Descend on Monterey
No Car Week is complete without the auctions that set the tone for the collector market all year long, and 2026 brings three major houses to the Peninsula. Get your paddles ready, because there will be a number of incredible vehicles to bid on.
Bonhams | The Laguna Seca Auction returns to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on August 13, marking the auction house’s 15-year relationship with the track. Public preview begins August 11 (free) and continues through auction day. Notable consignments include a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4, a 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT, and a 2000 Lamborghini Diablo GT.
RM Sotheby’s — The Monterey Auction holds court at the Portola Hotel and Monterey Conference Center from August 13-15, marking its 29th year as the flagship sale of Car Week. Public preview is available for $60 for the weekend. Headline lots expected to cross the block include a 1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, and a 2023 Ferrari Daytona SP3.
Gooding Christie’s — Pebble Beach Auctions, the official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, takes place August 15 and 16 at Parc du Concours, the only auction held within the gates of 17-Mile Drive. Standout offerings include a 2026 Ferrari Testa Rossa J “Lucybelle II,” a 2024 Ferrari 812 Competizione, and a 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Convertible.
28th Annual Ferrari Owners Club Gathering — The Barnyard, Carmel — August 15
For a more relaxed afternoon, The Barnyard Shopping Village in Carmel hosts the 28th Annual Ferrari Owners Club Gathering from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. The event brings together a display of vintage and new Ferrari automobiles alongside a wine tasting featuring Monterey County wineries, with tickets priced at $75 and proceeds benefiting the Big Sur Food and Wine Foundation. Attendees are encouraged to book dinner reservations at one of The Barnyard’s restaurants to close out the evening.
Concorso Italiano — August 15
Concorso Italiano remains the definitive showcase of Italian automotive design, performance, and culture, honoring marques including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, De Tomaso, and more, alongside a Global Exotics category celebrating standout cars from beyond Italy. The day unfolds as a full La Dolce Vita experience, with Italian cuisine, live music, fashion, and art woven throughout, plus Chairman’s Club and VIP Club hospitality, panel discussions with industry leaders, and awards for the finest examples of Italian automotive excellence. Concorso Italiano runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Week — August 13-16
The week builds to its traditional finale at Pebble Beach, though the Concours itself is really a string of public-facing moments worth experiencing.
It begins Thursday, August 13, with the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance presented by Rolex, a free-to-watch procession of more than 150 Concours entrants tracing a scenic route along 17-Mile Drive and Highway 1 to Big Sur and back. Cars begin lining up before 7:00 AM and depart by 9:30, with several vantage points open to the public at no charge.
Running alongside the Tour, the Pebble Beach Classic Car Forum brings automotive leaders and legends together for conversations at Concours Village from Thursday through Saturday, covering everything from restoration and provenance to motorsport history — with sessions open to ticket holders. This is an exceptional opportunity to watch your favorite auto industry leaders, collectors, and notable figures (like Stellantis Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles, Hendrik Malinowski of Bugatti Rimac, Jerry Seinfeld, and Supercar Blondie Alex Hirschi) talk about everything from cars to comedy.
The week culminates Sunday, August 16, with the 75th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance at The Lodge at Pebble Beach. Often called the crown jewel of Car Week, this milestone anniversary features Ferrari as the primary featured marque, with a special focus on Chinetti and NART competition cars, alongside Vignale as the featured coachbuilder.
New classes for 2026 include Early American Speedsters, the Birth of the Streamliner, and Japanese Motorsports at Le Mans, plus a landmark Lamborghini Miura 60th Anniversary Display expected to become the largest gathering of Miuras ever assembled.
Follow Along With Inspirations & Celebrations
These are just a handful of the public-facing moments that make Monterey Car Week the automotive world’s most anticipated week of the year — and there’s far more happening behind the scenes. Follow along with Inspirations & Celebrations as we bring you exclusive coverage, in-depth interviews with notable auto industry leaders, champion racers and car collectors, and an insider’s look at Car Week’s most sought-after VIP parties. You won’t want to miss it. We’re just getting geared up.
The post Monterey Car Week 2026 – Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Auto Week Events You Can Actually Attend appeared first on Inspirations & Celebrations.
