Stratford-upon-Avon Festival of Motoring 2026 Drives Record-Breaking Bank Holiday Success
The streets of Stratford-upon-Avon were transformed into a spectacular celebration of motoring, community and it welcomed thousands this Bank Holiday weekend as the Stratford-upon-Avon Festival of Motoring 2026 returned to the town centre in record breaking style.
Organised by Stratford-Upon-Avon BID, the popular two-day event attracted extraordinary visitor numbers, delivering one of the busiest and most successful weekends the town has seen.
Blessed with glorious sunshine and soaring temperatures, the Town and Festival welcomed an incredible 137,000 visitors across the weekend. The event was hailed as generating a major boost for Stratford-upon-Avon’s hospitality, retail and tourism economy.
Over 350 cars were displayed across the weekend, with vintage motors and modern engines on display side-by-side. Footfall data showed a remarkable increase of 56,000 visitors compared with the May Bank Holiday weekend in 2025, while visitor numbers were also 24,000 higher than the previous Festival of Motoring event, underlining the continued growth and popularity of the festival.
Mayor Praises Festival Success
Mayor Cllr Sam McNaught Barrow played an active role throughout the festival weekend, joining Andy Wheel from JLR to judge the Mayor’s Best in Show awards on both Saturday and Sunday. Their involvement brought added prestige to the competition and helped recognise the outstanding quality, presentation and variety of vehicles on display across the town centre.
Cllr Sam McNaught Barrow “The Festival of Motoring once again showcased Stratford-upon-Avon at its very best. It was fantastic to see the town centre filled with visitors, families and enthusiasts enjoying such a vibrant and welcoming event. Events like this are incredibly important for our local businesses, community spirit and visitor economy.”
Quentin Willson Memorial Cup Launched
This year’s event also welcomed Mini Willson, daughter of the late Quentin Willson, who joined the Mayor to judge the vehicle competitions, helping celebrate some of the exceptional cars and exhibitors that formed part of the 2026 showcase. Following lots of heated discussion, the inaugural Quentin Willson Memorial cup was presented to a Mini (pictured).
Exciting Partnership Drives Event Forward
From iconic classics and supercars to vintage favourites and modern performance vehicles, hundreds of stunning exhibits lined the town’s streets, attracting motoring enthusiasts, families, tourists and local residents alike. Visitors enjoyed not only the impressive vehicle displays but also Stratford’s shops, cafés, pubs, restaurants and wider visitor offer throughout the weekend.
Stratford-upon-Avon BID extended a special thank you to The Piston Club, whose partnership and collaboration helped support the delivery and continued growth of the Festival of Motoring in 2026.
Working alongside the BID, The Piston Club played an important role in bringing together exhibitors, enthusiasts and the wider motoring community, contributing to the exceptional quality and scale of this year’s event.
“This year’s Festival of Motoring is a real success story and has exceeded all expectation. The atmosphere across the town was electric from start to finish, with businesses reporting strong trade and excellent visitor engagement throughout the weekend. Throughout both days, the people I spoke to commented on how vibrant, buzzing and fun Stratford felt,” said Stratford-upon-Avon BID Manager, Aaron Corsi.
“The combination of fantastic weather, outstanding vehicles and Stratford-upon-Avon’s unique backdrop created an unforgettable experience for visitors and residents alike. These outstanding footfall figures demonstrate the growing popularity of the Festival of Motoring and underline the importance of major events in supporting our local economy, attracting visitors and showcasing Stratford-upon-Avon as a leading destination.”
“The BID would also like to thank all exhibitors, volunteers, event partners, local businesses and visitors whose support, enthusiasm and dedication helped make the Festival such a standout success. This year, we’d also like to thank The Piston Club specifically for their outstanding support in driving the event forward.”
Businesses Report Strong Trading Across the Weekend
Most businesses across Stratford benefitted from the huge increase in visitor numbers, with many reporting strong Sunday takings, excellent footfall and a vibrant atmosphere throughout the town centre.
The Stratford-upon-Avon Festival of Motoring continues to strengthen its reputation as one of the region’s leading automotive and family-friendly events, bringing significant economic benefit, regional profile and national attention to Stratford-upon-Avon.
Stratford-Upon-Avon BID have confirmed that the event will return in 2027, with dates to be released in the near future.
