The quick answer
Kent’s biggest car shows run from April to September. The season opens at the Kent Showground in Detling with the Heritage Transport Show in early April (next edition: Saturday 3 April 2027), followed by the BHP Performance Car Show in early May. Through the summer, the heritage vehicle section at the Kent County Show in July, club and historic race meetings at Brands Hatch, and smaller classic car days at venues such as Aylesford Priory fill the calendar. From October to March, the scene moves to club meets and indoor shows.
If you want to run a car show in Kent rather than visit one, the venue decisions that matter most are hard standing, separate exhibitor and visitor traffic, space for 500 or more display cars, and a site that has handled vehicle events before. Tell the local Safety Advisory Group at least 12 weeks ahead if you expect more than 1,000 people.
- Best for modified and performance cars: BHP Show, Kent Showground, early May
- Best for classic, vintage and commercial vehicles: Heritage Transport Show, Kent Showground, April
- Best for racing: Brands Hatch, March to November
- Best for a relaxed summer classic day: village and heritage venue shows, June to September
What are the main car shows in Kent each year?
The table below lists the recurring shows that draw visitors from across the county and beyond. Dates move slightly each year, so always check the organiser’s site before you travel.
| Show | Where | When | What you will see |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage Transport Show with the South East Bus Festival | Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone ME14 3JF | Early April. Held 11 April 2026; next show 3 April 2027 | Over 1,000 classic and vintage cars, motorcycles, tractors, steam, commercial and military vehicles, plus buses and coaches, free bus rides and an autojumble |
| BHP Performance Car Show | Kent Showground, Detling | Early May, usually a Sunday. Held 3 May 2026; 2027 date to be announced by the organiser | Performance and modified cars, classics to supercars, live demonstrations, car club areas, trade stands and a food village |
| Kent County Show heritage section | Kent Showground, Detling | July, over three days | Vintage tractors, steam engines, cars and motorcycles telling the story of transport, alongside the wider county show |
| Historic and club race meetings | Brands Hatch, near West Kingsdown | March to November | Circuit racing, track parades and paddock displays. 2026 marked the circuit’s centenary with extra historic meetings |
| Kent’s Classic Car Show | The Friars, Aylesford Priory | September (listed for 13 September 2026) | Vintage and classic cars in a heritage setting |
For a rolling list of what is on at Detling, including any car events added through the year, see our What’s On page or our guide to what’s on at Detling Showground this weekend.
Are there car shows in Kent this weekend?
Between April and September there is usually something on most weekends somewhere in the county, from a large showground event to a village green meet. Outside those months the answer is often no, at least for large outdoor shows. Three quick ways to check:
- Look at the Kent Showground events calendar, which lists every public event on the site with dates and links to the organiser.
- Check the Brands Hatch race calendar if you want live action rather than static displays.
- Follow the one make clubs for the marque you like. Much of the winter scene runs as club breakfast meets that never appear on general listings.
What to expect on the day at a Kent Showground car show
Because the Heritage Transport Show and the BHP Show both run at Detling, a lot of Kent car show questions are really questions about this site. The short version:
- Getting here. The showground sits on the A249 at the top of Detling Hill, between junction 7 of the M20 and junction 5 of the M2. Sat nav postcode ME14 3JF. Full directions are on our visiting page.
- Parking. The site has parking for up to 30,000 vehicles. Display car entrants and visitors use different gates, so follow the signs for your ticket type.
- Timings. Display vehicles arrive early, often from 7am. Public gates typically open at 10am. Arrive before 11am for the easiest parking.
- Weather. Much of the display area is on grass. Sensible shoes and a waterproof are worth packing even in May.
How to host your own car show or club meet in Kent
This is where most online guides stop and where most organisers get stuck. Running a car show is closer to running a small festival than hiring a room. Here is what we check with every vehicle event organiser before a date is confirmed.
How many display cars can the site take?
Work it out backwards. A parked display car with walking space around it needs roughly 25 to 30 square metres. That means 500 display cars need around 1.5 hectares before you add trade stands, food, toilets, a demonstration area and visitor parking, which usually needs more space than the display itself. A 200 acre site such as the Kent Showground outdoor space lets you grow year on year without moving venue, which matters because a show that outgrows its site in year three loses the loyalty it built.
Is there hard standing, or is it all grass?
Grass looks good in the photographs and fails after two days of rain. Heavy vehicles, low cars and trade vans all need somewhere solid. Ask the venue for a plan showing hard standing, surfaced roads and which fields drain well. At Detling there is hard standing around every exhibition hall with overflow on grass, so the core of a show can stay dry even in a wet spring.
Can exhibitor and visitor traffic be kept apart?
The single biggest operational risk at a car show is display vehicles and visitor cars queuing on the same road at the same time. Look for a site with several separate entrances. The Kent Showground has up to six, which is why a show can route display entrants through one gate from 7am and open public gates later without the two ever meeting.
Do you need indoor space too?
An indoor hall turns a fair weather show into a year round one. It also lets you run a premium indoor display, a concours or an autojumble under cover. Check three things: cargo door size, floor type and the venue’s rules on fuel and batteries in display vehicles, which will be set by its fire risk assessment. The Brachers Building has 3,000 square metres of clear span floor and 5m cargo doors, so display cars and vans can be driven straight in. Our guide to exhibition venues in Kent covers hall selection in more detail.
What permissions does a car show need in Kent?
This is general guidance, not legal advice, and requirements depend on the size and content of your show. But these are the conversations every organiser should have early.
| Item | When it applies | Lead time |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Advisory Group notification | More than 1,000 people, a licensable activity, or an unusual risk. In Maidstone, notify via the council’s EventApp | At least 12 weeks before the event |
| Motorsport UK notification or permit | Any timed runs, demonstrations or parades. Social runs on private land do not need a permit, but are not covered by Motorsport UK insurance | Several months; start as soon as the format is agreed |
| Alcohol licence | Selling alcohol. A Temporary Event Notice covers up to 499 people at any one time; larger events need a premises licence. Ask whether the venue’s own licence covers your event | A standard TEN needs at least 10 working days’ notice |
| Public liability insurance | Every show. The venue will ask to see the certificate and your risk assessment | Before contract signature |
| Road closures | Only if you plan a public road parade. Handled through Kent County Council Highways | No less than 12 weeks |
Sources: Maidstone Borough Council, Event planning and Safety Advisory Group; Motorsport UK, Demonstrations and Parades.
Running demonstrations or a drift display
Live demonstrations are what turn a static show into a day out, and they are where the risk sits. Agree the demonstration area on a site plan, keep spectators behind a physical barrier at a safe distance, and confirm whether your demonstration crew operates under a Motorsport UK permit or its own insurance. A 30m by 40m sand school or a surfaced arena makes a far better demonstration space than an open field.
Which kind of venue suits which kind of car show?
| Venue type | Best for | Display capacity | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Showground | Large annual shows, mixed classic and modern, shows with trade and demonstrations | Hundreds to several thousand vehicles | You bring in more elements yourself, such as fencing and toilets for very large shows |
| Motorsport circuit | Track days, racing, parade laps | Paddock dependent | Availability tied to the race calendar and higher cost |
| Stately home or priory | Concours and classic gatherings | Typically 100 to 400 | Lawns, heritage restrictions and limited visitor parking |
| Pub, cafe or village green | Monthly club meets | 20 to 150 | No room to grow, often no licence for trade or demonstrations |
| Business park or retail car park | Evening meets | 50 to 300 | Landlord permission, and a reputation risk if meets become unofficial |
For general guidance on shortlisting a large site, see 7 things to consider before booking a large event venue in Kent and our guide to outdoor event space hire in Kent. If you are a manufacturer or dealer planning a vehicle reveal or ride and drive rather than a public show, our guide to corporate hospitality venues in Kent covers launches and dealer days.
How far ahead should you book a car show venue?
- Club meet for under 150 cars: 6 to 8 weeks
- Regional show for 200 to 500 cars: 6 to 9 months, allowing for the 12 week SAG window and trader bookings
- Large annual show for 1,000 or more vehicles: 12 months or more. Spring and early summer weekends at established showgrounds go first, often straight after the previous year’s event
Why car show organisers choose the Kent Event Centre
The Kent Showground has hosted vehicle events for decades and is owned by the Kent County Agricultural Society, a charity founded in 1923 that runs the Heritage Transport Show itself. For organisers that means a grounds and events team who already know how display vehicle arrivals, autojumbles and demonstration areas work.
- More than 200 acres of secure outdoor space with electricity and water throughout
- Hard standing around every exhibition hall
- Parking for up to 30,000 vehicles across up to six entrances
- Indoor halls from 1,700 to 3,000 square metres, including the Brachers Building with 5m cargo doors
- Direct access from the A249 between the M20 and the M2
Planning a car show, club rally or vehicle event in Kent? See our outdoor spaces, contact the events team or call 01622 630975 to talk through dates, display capacity and access before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next car show at Detling Showground?
The next Heritage Transport Show at the Kent Showground is on Saturday 3 April 2027. The BHP Performance Car Show usually follows in early May; the organiser announces the date on its own channels.
What is the biggest car show in Kent?
By number of display vehicles, the Heritage Transport Show at Detling is among the largest, with over 1,000 classic, vintage, commercial and military vehicles plus buses from the South East Bus Festival. The BHP Show is Kent’s largest performance and modified car show.
Are there car shows in Kent in winter?
Large outdoor shows in Kent run mainly from April to September. In winter the scene moves to club breakfast meets, indoor displays and race meetings at Brands Hatch into November.
Is parking free at Kent Showground car shows?
Public events at the Kent Showground come with free parking on site. Display car entry is booked separately with the show organiser.
Do you need a licence to hold a car show?
Not for the show itself, but you may need a Temporary Event Notice or premises licence to sell alcohol, Motorsport UK involvement for demonstrations, and you should notify the local Safety Advisory Group at least 12 weeks ahead if you expect more than 1,000 people.
How much space do you need for a car show?
Allow roughly 25 to 30 square metres per display car including walkways, so about 1.5 hectares for 500 cars, then add space for trade, food, demonstrations and visitor parking.
Can you hire the Kent Showground for a car club event?
Yes. The Kent Event Centre hires outdoor space, hard standing and indoor halls at the Kent Showground for club rallies, one make gatherings and full public car shows. Contact the events team on 01622 630975.
