CarFest 2026 Is Coming to Silverstone: Everything You Need to Know
Looking for something different to do over the August Bank Holiday weekend?
CarFest 2026 is bringing cars, motorsport, live music, food, family entertainment and fundraising together at one of Britain's most famous racing circuits and this year, there is an extra reason to go.
CarFest is coming to Silverstone for the first time.
Taking place from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 August 2026, the festival will turn Silverstone into a huge family-friendly celebration of cars, music, food and entertainment. Silverstone itself lists CarFest as one of its major 2026 events for the August Bank Holiday weekend.
If you're based in London and looking for a day trip or a full weekend away from the capital, here's everything you need to know about CarFest 2026 at Silverstone.
CarFest 2026 at a glance
Friday 28 – Sunday 30 August 2026
Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire
Cars and motorsport
Live music
Food and chefs
Family entertainment
Fundraising for children's charities
CarFest describes itself as a family fundraising and motorsport festival, and 2026 will be its first year at Silverstone.
So, what exactly is CarFest?
The easiest way to describe CarFest is that it is much more than a car show.
Cars are obviously at the centre of it, but the festival combines several different experiences across the weekend.
There are dedicated areas for cars, food, children, music, retro vehicles, wellness and celebrity guests, meaning you don't have to be a serious petrolhead to enjoy the event.
You could spend the morning looking at classic cars, watch some action on track, stop for lunch, catch a live performance and then let the children explore the family activities.
That's part of what makes CarFest different from a traditional motorsport weekend.
Why is CarFest at Silverstone in 2026?
This is one of the biggest stories surrounding this year's event.
2026 is the first CarFest at Silverstone.
Silverstone is already one of the most recognisable names in British motorsport, so the combination makes obvious sense.
The circuit's own 2026 calendar describes CarFest as the UK's biggest family fundraising and motorsport festival and confirms that it is taking place at Silverstone from 28–30 August.
So this year you get to experience CarFest in a setting that has hosted decades of British motorsport.
For anyone who loves cars, that's quite a combination.
Expect more than 1,000 cars
If you're coming mainly for the cars, you won't be disappointed.
CarFest's 2026 programme includes more than 1,000 cars, covering everything from classic and iconic vehicles to supercars and motorsport machinery. The festival also has its Car Club Collective, bringing together car owners and enthusiasts.
There are also dedicated automotive areas, so you'll have plenty to explore even if you aren't particularly interested in the music side of the festival.
And because this is Silverstone, the cars aren't simply there to look pretty.
See cars in action on Silverstone's track
One of the big advantages of holding CarFest at Silverstone is the opportunity to bring the cars onto a proper racing circuit.
The 2026 programme includes track activity and demonstrations, including drift and track shows, as well as the Motorsport Paddock.
For a car enthusiast, that's a major part of the appeal.
You can see the cars up close and then watch them actually being put through their paces.
You can even walk the Silverstone starting grid
One of the more unusual experiences planned for CarFest is the opportunity to take part in a Grid Walk.
That means visitors can get onto the famous Silverstone starting grid and experience a part of the circuit normally associated with major racing events.
For anyone who has watched the British Grand Prix from home, standing on the same grid is likely to be one of the more memorable parts of the weekend.
There is plenty for children
CarFest is designed as a family festival, so children aren't simply expected to spend three days following their parents around a car display.
The festival has a dedicated KidsFest area, alongside activities and entertainment aimed at younger visitors.
There are also driving experiences aimed at young people, including Young Driver and Firefly, with experiences available for children and young people aged 4–17.
So if you have a child who loves cars, this could be considerably more exciting than simply taking them to watch a race.
The music lineup is another reason to go
You don't have to be a car enthusiast to have a good time at CarFest.
The festival has a substantial music programme, with a major headline act each day.
Friday 28 August
Jessie J headlines Friday.
She is joined on the programme by artists including Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Saturday 29 August
Tom Jones takes the headline slot on Saturday, with Sugababes, James Morrison and Rick Parfitt Jnr among the other announced acts.
Sunday 30 August
Nile Rodgers & CHIC headline Sunday, alongside artists including Rick Astley, Gabrielle and The Proclaimers.
These headline and supporting acts are part of CarFest's current 2026 programme.
So if your family or friendship group has different interests, CarFest works quite well.
One person can come for the cars.
Another can come for the music.
Someone else can come for the food.
And everyone can spend the day together.
Meet chefs, celebrities and familiar faces
There is also a significant programme of talks, appearances and entertainment away from the main music stage.
CarFest brings together personalities from television, food, motoring, sport and entertainment across its various areas.
The festival's 2026 programme includes names such as Dame Prue Leith, Tom Kerridge, Lee Mack, Gok Wan, Victoria Pendleton and Richard Hammond, among others.
That gives the weekend another dimension beyond cars and music.
You could spend an hour watching something automotive, then head over to a food demonstration or a talk.
Don't forget FoodFest
If you're making a full day of it, you'll need somewhere to eat.
That's where FoodFest comes in.
Food is a significant part of the CarFest experience, with chefs, food demonstrations and different food options across the festival.
The 2026 programme includes chefs such as Dame Prue Leith and Tom Kerridge, alongside other food-related experiences.
So you don't have to treat food as something you grab quickly between activities.
It is part of the festival itself.
CarFest has a bigger purpose too
There's an important reason why CarFest exists in the first place.
The festival was created by Chris Evans as a fundraising event supporting children's charities.
CarFest says it has raised more than £28 million for UK children's charities since 2012.
That means the event isn't simply about cars, music and entertainment.
There is a fundraising purpose behind it, which is a big part of the festival's identity.
So while you're enjoying the weekend, you're also helping support the charitable work connected with CarFest.
What about tickets?
This is one area where I'd recommend checking the live ticket page rather than relying on a single advertised price.
CarFest has different ticket categories, including individual days, weekend tickets, family packages and premium options, and availability can change.
The current official Silverstone ticketing pages show, for example, a 3-Day Weekend No Camping package with separate adult, teen, child and under-6 categories, while family packages are also available. Current ticket availability and prices vary by package.
Some individual family ticket categories are already showing as sold out, so it's worth checking availability before making plans.
Rather than quoting a price that could change, check the official ticket page for the latest options.
CarFest 2026 official website and tickets
Can you camp at CarFest?
Yes, camping is one of the ticket options available for CarFest, alongside non-camping packages.
If you're planning to attend all three days, camping could make the trip much easier than travelling to and from London or another part of the UK every day.
However, camping packages and availability can change, so check the current options when booking rather than assuming every camping category will remain available.
How to get to CarFest from London
If you're travelling from London, Silverstone is a realistic option for a day trip or weekend away.
The circuit is in Northamptonshire, close to the A43, with road connections from the M40 and M1.
By car
For many London visitors, driving will be the simplest option.
Silverstone is accessible from the M40 and M1 via the A43, but allow extra time for event traffic.
This is a major Bank Holiday festival, so don't plan your journey around what the drive normally takes on an ordinary weekend.
Check CarFest's event-specific travel information before leaving.
By train
There isn't a railway station directly at Silverstone.
Nearby stations include Wolverton, Milton Keynes, Northampton and Banbury, after which you'll need onward transport to the circuit.
If you're travelling from London, London Euston to Milton Keynes can be a useful rail connection, but you'll still need to arrange the final part of the journey.
For a major event like CarFest, check the latest event travel arrangements before setting off, as additional services or traffic arrangements can change.
By bus
Local bus services also connect the Silverstone area, and event-specific transport information should be checked closer to the weekend.
The most important thing is to plan the final part of the journey before you leave London rather than assuming you'll simply walk from a railway station.
Is CarFest worth travelling from London for?
If you're looking for a normal day out, London obviously has no shortage of options.
But CarFest is offering something you won't get from most London events.
You have:
1,000+ cars
motorsport
track demonstrations
live music
food
celebrity appearances
children's activities
Silverstone
and fundraising for children's charities.
And then there's the fact that 2026 is the first CarFest at Silverstone.
That makes it particularly interesting this year.
Which day should you go?
The easiest way to decide is probably by looking at the music lineup.
Friday 28 August
Go for Jessie J and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, alongside the opening day of the festival.
Saturday 29 August
Go for Tom Jones, Sugababes and James Morrison, as well as the weekend's full car and family programme.
Sunday 30 August
Go for Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Rick Astley, Gabrielle and The Proclaimers.
Or, if you simply want the full CarFest experience, choose a weekend ticket and make it a proper Bank Holiday getaway.
The official CarFest lineup confirms the three headline days.
Why 2026 could be the year to go
There are plenty of reasons to visit CarFest.
But one stands out.
This is the first CarFest at Silverstone.
You're getting the established CarFest combination of cars, music, food and family entertainment in a brand-new setting.
And not just any setting.
Silverstone.
One of Britain's most famous motorsport venues.
That makes the 2026 edition a little more interesting than simply attending another year of the same festival.
If you're coming from London, make a weekend of it
You don't have to treat CarFest as a quick day trip.
If you're travelling from London, you could head to Silverstone on Friday, spend the day at the festival, stay locally or use one of the available camping options, and then enjoy more of the event on Saturday or Sunday.
Or simply choose the one day that appeals to you most.
Either way, it's an opportunity to get out of London for the August Bank Holiday and experience something completely different.
So, should you put CarFest on your August Bank Holiday plans?
If you want to spend the Bank Holiday somewhere other than central London, CarFest 2026 is certainly one to consider.
It's not simply a car show.
It's not simply a music festival.
And it's not simply a children's event.
It brings all of those things together, with food, celebrity appearances and fundraising added to the mix.
And this year, the setting makes it even more interesting.
CarFest is coming to Silverstone for the first time from 28–30 August 2026.
So whether you're going because you want to see some incredible cars, watch track action, hear Jessie J or Tom Jones, bring the family, try the food or simply experience CarFest's new home at Silverstone, there is plenty to make a weekend of.
And I'll be there covering CarFest 2026, so keep an eye out for LondonYaar coverage from Silverstone.
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