Whether you were chasing pure speed, classic charm, or a bit of both, 2025 pretty much delivered. From rare barn finds to drift-drenched show paddocks, UK car shows this year have already pulled in crowds — and there’s still plenty left to enjoy.
That buzz around a freshly detailed bonnet, the growl of engines on a hill climb, or the stance on a slammed import — it’s all here. And let’s be honest, you don’t always need a reason to go looking.
This guide pulls together the standout UK car shows of 2025. Some have already roared into the rearview, others are still revving up. Whether you’re here to snap number plate ideas or plan your next day out, these shows are where things have properly kicked off.
1. Goodwood Festival of Speed
Set in the Sussex countryside, the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2025 is, in many ways, the crown jewel of UK car events. Whether you were there in person or still planning your visit, this year’s show has been turning heads — and for good reason.
The legendary hill climb, new car unveilings, and the rare mix of electric tech and vintage racers made for an unforgettable mix. From liveries to number plates, every detail got its moment.
Event highlights:
- Hill climb action and global car launches
- “Electric Avenue” and classic displays
Great for:
Performance fans, design watchers, plate spotters
When & where:
10–13 July 2025, Goodwood House
2. Silverstone Festival
Held at the legendary British GP circuit, Silverstone Festival 2025 offered a mix of high-speed nostalgia and proper summer vibes. It’s the sort of show that gives you motorsport goosebumps one minute — and live band singalongs the next.
Classic race cars, vintage displays, and a crowd that knew their way around a paddock — it all came together under big skies and bigger engines. Spotting custom number plates among the paddock crowd felt almost like a side quest in itself.
Event highlights:
- Historic motorsport and retro collections
- Music, family zones, and open paddocks
Great for:
Families, classic car fans, vintage plate hunters
Tickets:
Multi-tier passes, with family and VIP options
3. Classic Motor Show at NEC Birmingham
For anyone who appreciates a properly restored bonnet or a carburettor that’s seen more history than horsepower, the NEC Classic Motor Show 2025 is still the one to beat. It’s the UK’s biggest indoor gathering of classic metal — and honestly, it’s more of a pilgrimage than just another show.
This November, it’ll once again fill the halls with waxed paint, roaring nostalgia, and a sea of car clubs proudly repping everything from Austins to Z-cars. Whether you're chasing era-correct plates or just soaking up the stories, it's got you covered.
Event highlights:
- 3,000+ vehicles across club stands
- Live repairs, barn finds, and resto demos
- Vintage stalls and memorabilia
Great for:
Collectors, tinkerers, and period-plate purists
When & where:
7–9 November 2025, NEC Birmingham
Booking early tends to be a smart move
4. Japfest at Silverstone
Japfest 2025 already brought the noise — and then some. Held back in April at Silverstone, this show stuck to its roots: low, loud, and packed with detail. For anyone who’s ever argued about offsets or spent a Sunday adjusting camber, this was the show.
It wasn’t just a line-up of slammed Subarus and tuned Supras either. Between the drift sessions, club displays, and Show and Shine standouts, it was a full-on celebration of Japanese car culture. And let’s be honest — some of the number plate choices were bold enough to need their own awards.
Event highlights:
- Drift demos, tuning experts, and Show & Shine
- Club zones and rare JDM part stalls
Great for:
Modders, JDM fans, plate customisers
Date and location:
13 April 2025, Silverstone Circuit (Look out online for 2026 dates if you missed out this year)
5. Beaulieu Supercar Weekend
With its stately backdrop and polished parade of showstoppers, Beaulieu Supercar Weekend still has a date circled on plenty of calendars this summer. Set for August, this one's more polished showcase than paddock hustle — where design, detail, and deep-pocketed engineering come together.
Manufacturers bring out the flagships, collectors wheel in the icons, and everything from matte wraps to carbon trim gets its moment in the limelight. It’s not all horsepower though — number plates here often steal as many second glances as the bodywork itself.
Event highlights:
- Supercar parades, concept reveals, and museum access
- Food courts, kids’ zones, and live commentary
Great for:
Luxury lovers, style fans, and plate minimalists
Dates and location:
2–3 August 2025, Beaulieu, Hampshire
6. Brooklands Auto Italia
Held on 3rd May 2025 at the historic Brooklands Museum, Auto Italia was every bit the celebration of Italian motoring it promised to be. With espresso in hand and the sound of V6s echoing across the paddocks, the vibe was unmistakably Italian — stylish, proud, and just a little bit loud.
From old-school Fiats with dented charm to Ferraris so clean they could’ve passed for showroom fresh, the cars did all the talking. And yes, plenty of number plates joined in the conversation — some subtle, some very much not.
Event highlights:
- Club line-ups from Alfa Romeo to Ferrari
- Live music and Italian food markets
- Full museum access
Great for:
Italian marque fans and vintage plate hunters
Date:
3rd May 2025, Brooklands Museum (again, keep tabs online for 2026 dates)
7. Retro Rides Gathering
Happening on 17th August 2025 at Prescott Hillclimb, Retro Rides Gathering is where the rulebook gets left in the glovebox. This one’s all about raw creativity, homegrown builds, and a proper community vibe. Expect more variety in five minutes than some shows manage all day.
Whether it’s a sleeper Volvo with a surprise under the bonnet or a retro Honda with attitude, this event doesn’t do predictable. Cars get built, driven, and properly enjoyed. And the custom plates? Often just as offbeat and clever as the builds themselves.
Event highlights:
- DIY hill climb runs at Prescott
- Club stands packed with oddball gems
- Weekend camping and relaxed atmosphere
Great for:
Tinkerers, modders, off-script plate thinkers
When & where:
17th August 2025, Prescott Hillclimb, Gloucestershire
Tips for Attending Car Shows in 2025
- Book early — Big shows like Goodwood Festival of Speed and Japfest sell out fast.
- Sort travel and parking — Check for park-and-ride options or train access where possible.
- Pack smart — Weather’s unpredictable, and some venues are huge. Comfortable shoes and layers go a long way.
- Showcasing your car? — Arrive early, have your car prepped, and make sure your custom number plates are photo-ready.
- Share the moment — Socials matter. Tag your pics with event hashtags and why not tag us at Demon Plates so we can see where your plates ended up!
Bring cash — Some traders and food stalls still prefer it.