when is car week

[MacNaomi]

There isn't one single "Car Week." The term generally refers to major automotive events, with the most famous being Monterey Car Week held in California each August. For 2024, the core events are scheduled from Friday, August 9, through Sunday, August 18. Other significant "car weeks" include the New York Auto Show's associated events and various local dealership promotions.

Monterey Car Week is a pinnacle for car enthusiasts, featuring a series of high-profile events. The week culminates with the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, a globally recognized classic car competition. Other highlights include the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, where historic race cars compete, and The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, an exclusive show featuring hypercars and rare models.

Attendance requires planning. Tickets for prime events sell out months in advance, and accommodation in the Monterey Peninsula becomes scarce and expensive. Renting a car is advisable, but expect heavy traffic. The experience ranges from casual, public car displays to highly exclusive, invitation-only gatherings.

Event Name	Typical Dates (2024)	Location	Primary Focus	Ticket Accessibility
Monterey Car Week	August 9-18	Monterey Peninsula, CA	Concours, Racing, Auctions	Mixed (Some public, some exclusive)
New York Auto Show "Car Week"	Late March - Early April	New York City, NY	New Model Debuts, Public Display	Generally open to the public
Detroit Auto Show (Held in Fall)	September 2024	Detroit, MI	Industry & Public Showcase	Open to the public
Goodwood Festival of Speed	July 11-14, 2024	Goodwood, UK	Hill Climb, Racing Legends	Public tickets available
SEMA Show	November 5-8, 2024	Las Vegas, NV	Automotive Aftermarket	Trade & Industry Professionals

[DelRemington]

If you're thinking of the big one, it's Monterey Car Week in August. It's like a giant car festival in California. But "car week" can also mean when your local dealerships have big sales, often tied to a holiday. The best move is to search online for "[Your City] auto show dates" or check the Monterey Car Week website directly for the official August schedule.

[StKhloe]

As someone who plans trips around this stuff, you need to be specific. The major industry event is the New York International Auto Show, with its "car week" in late March. For a legendary enthusiast experience, it's Monterey in August. Then there's SEMA in Vegas every November, but that's more for the customization trade. Your best bet is to pick which scene you're interested in and mark that calendar.

[StEva]

From my perspective, "car week" is less about one date and more about the season. Spring is for the big city auto shows like New York, where families can see next year's models. Summer is for the glamorous classic car events on the West Coast. Fall has the Detroit show and the wild SEMA custom builds. It’s a year-round thing, just with different flavors depending on the month.

[VonAlan]

Honestly, I used to get confused too. Here's the simple breakdown: "Car Week" usually means the Monterey event in August—it's the big one you see on TV. But local dealerships run their own "tent sales" or "President's Day car week" promotions. So, if you're looking for a deal on a new car, ask your local dealer when their next sales event is. If you want to see million-dollar classics, look at the Monterey dates.