Classic Mini Shows 2026 – Where to take your Mini this year

As much as we enjoy driving our classics, a drive without a destination can sometimes fall flat, so now’s the time to get planning your classic Mini adventures for 2026! Here in the UK we’re absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to Mini and multi-marque shows, road rallies, local club meets.

And if big events aren’t your thing, we have some great motoring museums and themed cafes to plan a road trip of your own.

If motorsport is more your cup of tea, it’s likely there will be a Mini competing somewhere every weekend of the season, whether that’s a hillclimb event, circuit race, classic rally or oval racing events.

So, where to begin? You could feasibly spend all year driving your Mini around the country and Europe to see and experience everything there is on offer.

Here’s some of our recommended classic Mini-related festivals and events for 2026. If you'd like to have your event included, please email us - sales@med-engineering.co.uk

Please note, this list was created at the end of 2025 and may be subject to change, so do check with the venues for the latest updates.  

January 2026

- 1 January, New Year's Day Classic Gathering, Brooklands Museum, Surrey. A good mixture of classics at this historic venue.

- 11 January, Bicester Scramble, a popular winter car meet and show at Bicester Motion, pre-booked tickets only.

- 11 January, Wirral to Llandudno Mini Run, Wirral Minis. Now sold-out to non-members, but you might wish to visit Llandudno Prom for the finish of the organised drive, as the Minis will be there for a few hours.

- 25 January, Mini Fair, Bingley Hall, Staffordshire

A favourite shopping trip for all Mini enthusiasts, the British Mini Club has been hosting this season-opener for 26 years, building a loyal following of show and shine entrants, autojumble sellers and specialist clubs. When the weather is cold and damp outside, the Staffordshire Country Showground’s indoor arena makes for a great winter escape.

Whether you prefer your classic Mini factory fresh or highly modified, there will be some inspiration for your own projects here; just make sure to pre-book your tickets and arrive early to hunt down the best finds in the autojumble.

- 28 January-1 February, Retromobile, Paris. One for our European customers for sure. A large and vibrant classic car event in the French capital. 

February 2026

- 20-22 February, Race retro, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth. With Autosport taking a year out, visit Race Retro to get the historic motorsport season started. Features a live rally demonstration and some incredible historic race machinery.

March 2026

- 20-22 March, Practical Classics Car and Restoration Show, NEC Birmingham. Pick up spares and inspiration for your classic Mini projects.

- 22 March, Brooklands Mini Day, Surrey. Visit the spectacular air and motoring museum, take on the test hill and go for a flight on Concorde.

Classic Mini Shows, April 2026

- 4 April, Easter Classic Gathering, Brooklands. Ideal if you missed the annual Mini Day.

- 11-12 April, Mini 7 Racing Club, Donington Park, near Derby. The opening rounds of the 2026 Mini 7 Racing Club season.

- 11 April, Classic Mini Racing UK, Oulton Park, Cheshire. Further north, CMRUK kicks off its first full season.

- 12 April, Great British Cars Show, Great British Car Journey, Ambergate. A casual car meet at this excellent museum and cafe.

18-19 April, Goodwood Members Meeting, Chichester. Two-day spectacular historic race weekend, open-piped classics, often a few Minis, and off-circuit entertainment. 

Classic Mini Shows, May 2026

1-3 May, Donington Historic Festival, Donington Park. Another superb historic motorsport weekend, usually with a handful Minis and Sprites competing in pre-'66 touring car classes.

2-4 May, Riviera Run, Pentewan Sands. Long-running and popular Mini event hosted by the Cornish Mini Club, featuring show cars, Mini club games and entertainment by the seaside.

3 May, MkI Performance Mini Action Day, Blyton Park. See a stunning selection of early Minis and specials on display and lapping the Lincolnshire circuit. Half-day track sessions are available, but book early as this is a very popular day - all in aid of charity. 

4 May, Classic Mini Racing UK, the championship continues at this Castle Combe race weekend.

9-10 May, Mini 7 Racing Club, Snetterton, near Norwich. Racing on the fast 200 circuit.

9-10 May, Retro Rides Weekender, Goodwood Circuit, Sussex. For fans of modified classic cars, Minis included.

10 May, Himley Hall Mini Show, near Dudley. Another well-organised and popular event by the British Mini Club. There's always hundreds of Minis on display, plus trade stands and autojumble.

25 May, Best of British, Brooklands Museum, Surrey. A mixed-classic car meet at this historic venue.

28 May - 1 June, International Mini Meeting 2026, Leszno Poland. Mini Klub Polska has the key to this year's IMM, an event that attracts Mini owners from all around the world. Expect three days of partying, Mini drives out, trade stands and catching up with friends. 

Classic Mini Shows, June 2026

- 13-14 June, Mini 7 Racing Club and Classic Mini Racing UK are both competing at Silverstone this weekend on the National Circuit.  

- 14 June, Mini Cooper Day, Beaulieu, New Forest

Home to more spelling mistakes than Castle Combe, Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum makes a great day out at any time of year. Add in the prestigious Mini Cooper Register’s annual gathering, and this is must-visit event.

If you’re especially keen on 1960s Mini Coopers, coach-built specials (Radford, Wood & Pickett, etc) and ex-Works BMC competition Minis, you’ve probably already been to this popular show. When the sun’s shining, it’s hard to beat, so why not make it into a weekend away in the New Forest with your Mini.



- 27 June, MED Coffee Meet, Lutterworth. 

Join us for a relaxed Saturday morning at MED HQ in Lutterworth, just off the M1 near Leicester, grab a coffee and chat to the team and fellow Mini enthusiasts. 

July 2026

- 5 July, National Mini and Metro Show, Gaydon. Visit the Heritage Motor Museum for its annual Mini show, home to the first Mini, the last Mini, prototypes and genuine Works rally cars. 

- 9-12 July, Goodwood Festival of Speed, Goodwood House. World-famous motor show and sprint event, plus rally stage.

- 12 July, BMC and Leyland Show, Gaydon. Ideal if you missed the National Mini and Metro Show, or just fancy something different.

- 12 July, Great British Car Show's Mini Day, at the Great British Car Journey, Derbyshire. 

- 18-19 July, Classic Mini Racing UK, Donington Park National Circuit, race weekend near Derby.

- 25-26 July, Mini 7 Racing Club, Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire. 50+ Minis supporting the British Touring Car Championship.

Classic Mini Shows August 2026

- 8 August, PistonHeads Annual Service, Bicester Motion. A large and varied performance car show at this historic air base.

- 15 August, Prescott Mini Fest, near Cheltenham. Back from the success of last year's Mini-only Prescott Hillclimb event, there are competition classes for every flavour of Mini from road to rally, race and derivatives. See the Sporting Minis Facebook page for more info.

- 23 August, Brands Hatch Mini Festival, Kent. First held in 1967, this action-packed event has Mini racing on track all day, stunt shows, concours and more. A highlight of the summer for many Mini fans.

- 28-30 August, CarFest, Silverstone Circuit. Taking over from the Silverstone Classic, expect live music from famous stars, more car clubs than you can shake a stick at, and a decent line-up of historic racing in the mix.

September 2026

- 12-13 September, Mini 7 Racing Club, Castle Combe. Some of the fastest circuit racing Minis in the UK take on one of the fastest circuits on the calendar.

- 12-13 September, Classic Mini Racing UK, Anglesey. Minis head to North Wales to take on this scenic rollercoaster race circuit.

- 13 September, Mini Fair, Stanford Hall, near Lutterworth.

Another mention for the British Mini Club, and if you’ve found it to the MED HQ, we’re off the same junction of the M1 as this impressive stately home show.

Since the BMC took over this September Mini event, it’s gone from strength-to-strength, and is always an enjoyable day out.

- 18-20 September, Goodwood Revival - one of the most famous historic festivals in the world, with pre-'66 parking, paddocks themed to perfection and epic racing. One to pencil-in if you've never been before.   

- 26-27 September, Sywell Classic: Pistons and Props. An enjoyable classic car and aviation show at Sywell Aerodrome near Northampton.

- October 2024 

The Italian Job is another well-established Mini road trip event, and for good reason – it’s incredible! Yes it’s a long way to drive a Mini from the UK, but the event gains you access to places you’d never usually experience, from Italian race circuits to locations from the iconic 1969 film.

 

Plus it’s usually still sunny and warm in Italy in the autumn. You’ll be treated to a carefully-planned road book each day, amazing food and visits to famous Italian landmarks, this year taking a trip around Rome.

It’s all in aid of charity, and there’s even a service team in case of any mechanical breakdowns while you’re on the main tour.

Classic car museums and cafes

A quick shout-out to some of our local meets and venues here in the midlands.

- Caffeine and Machine, near Stratford-upon-Avon, a motoring nirvana, where there’s always a good mix of enthusiast cars and owners, classic and modern.

- Piston Club at the Stag, Alcester, a tastefully themed motoring pub and restaurant with plenty of parking, car meets and good food.

- Gasoline Juice, Weedon, a stylish cafe and meeting spot for motoring enthusiasts.

- Heritage Motor Museum, Gaydon – the home of 621 AOK, 33 EJB and many other famous Minis. A must-visit for any British car fan, with evening mid-week meets through the year.

- Coventry Transport Museum, where you’ll find the Thrust land speed record cars.

- Great British Car Journey, Ambergate, a museum with a wide range of British Classics on show.

- Harborough Sports, Classic and Vintage, a friendly local Sunday gathering once a month in nearby Market Harborough.