when does monterey car week start

[SilasLynn]

Monterey Car Week traditionally starts on the third or fourth Friday of August each year, with the main events culminating on the following Sunday. For 2024, the festivities begin on Friday, August 16, and run through Sunday, August 18. The week is not a single, continuous event but a series of independently organized automotive gatherings, with the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance serving as the grand finale on the final Sunday.

The schedule is packed with iconic events that attract car enthusiasts from around the globe. The action kicks off with The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering on Friday, followed by the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, which features multi-day historic racing. The weekend also includes the Concours d'LeMons (a humorous take on "unexceptional" cars) and numerous car auctions by houses like RM Sotheby's and Gooding & Company.

To plan your visit effectively, it's crucial to understand that "Car Week" is a loose term for activities spanning about 10 days. Pre-week events, such as classic car tours and smaller receptions, often start the preceding weekend. Tickets for major events sell out months in advance, and hotel accommodations in the Monterey Peninsula are booked early.

Here is a sample of key event dates for 2024:

Event Name	2024 Date(s)	Primary Focus
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance	Sunday, August 18	Ultimate showcase of rare and classic cars
The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering	Friday, August 16	Luxury, sports cars, and gourmet food
Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion	Thursday, August 15 - Sunday, August 18	Historic race car competition
Concours d'LeMons	Saturday, August 17	Celebration of odd, rare, and unloved cars
RM Sotheby's Auction	Wednesday, August 14 - Saturday, August 17	Premier classic car auction

[DelEleanor]

Mark your calendar for the third weekend in August. Things really get going that Friday. The big show at Pebble Beach is on Sunday, but the days leading up to it are just as fun, with races at Laguna Seca and incredible cars parked everywhere you look. If you want to go, book your hotel a year ahead—it's that crazy.

[OHaven]

From my experience, the "start" depends on what you're into. For hardcore gearheads, it begins when the first historic race car fires up at Laguna Seca, which is usually the Thursday before the main weekend. But for most people, the vibe truly kicks off on Friday with events like The Quail. The whole peninsula transforms; you'll see million-dollar cars just driving down the street to get coffee. It's an immersive experience that builds all week.

[LydiaDella]

Planning is everything. The official core events are from Friday to Sunday, typically around the 15th to the 18th of August. However, you'll see related events and car gatherings popping up as early as the preceding Tuesday or Wednesday. My advice? Focus on the main weekend but check the full Monterey Car Week calendar online about six months out. Decide which ticketed events are must-sees for you, as they sell out fast. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

[RowanRose]

Think of it as a crescendo. The week unofficially starts with arrivals and smaller shows, building energy day by day. The peak is Friday through Sunday, with the pinnacle being the Pebble Beach Concours on Sunday. The atmosphere is electric. If you can only be there for one day, make it Saturday; you'll catch the races, the quirky Concours d'LeMons, and the buzz before the Sunday finale. It's a spectacular celebration of automotive passion.