Arizona • Collector cars • Cruises • Coffee meets
Arizona Car Week 2026: The Most Useful Event Guide (Dates, Times, Tickets, Locations)
If you’re coming to the Valley for Arizona Car Week 2026, this is the “open one tab and you’re done” guide: every major event we can verify, with official ticket/registration links so you’re not hunting around last-minute.
Quick reality check: Schedules change. Use the Tickets / Official Site buttons below to confirm final times, parking rules, and capacity limits before you drive across town.
Car Week survival tips (you’ll thank yourself later)
- Pick one “anchor” event per day (auction OR show OR cruise), then fill in the gaps with nearby stops.
- Arrive early for the morning meets (parking fills fast), and expect slow traffic near Scottsdale/Old Town.
- Bring water + sunscreen, even in January. Phoenix will still cook you.
- Going to multiple events? Save this page to your phone and use the jump links.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction (Day 1)
What to expect: Massive selection (muscle, trucks, exotics, customs), vendor row, food, and nonstop motion. It’s awesome… and it’s busy. If you want the best photos and easiest walking, go early and wear comfortable shoes.
Mesa Cars & Coffee (Car Week Edition)
What to expect: A true mixed bag—classics, imports, exotics, trucks, daily drivers. The earlier you arrive, the wilder the parking lot looks (and the easier it is to park). Great for families and quick conversations.
Strictly Air-Cooled (Air-Cooled Porsche Meet)
What to expect: A more focused crowd (and usually more “talk shop” conversations). If you’re into details—fitment, finishes, period-correct vs restomod—this one’s a fun deep dive. Parking is tighter, so be early.
Espressos & Engines
What to expect: A friendly “cars + caffeine” meet that’s easy to walk. Typically leans toward higher-end enthusiast cars, but you’ll still see plenty of variety. It’s casual—no pressure, just good vibes and great morning light.
SHAKEDOWN (Vintage European + JDM)
What to expect: This one feels like a curated street scene—lots of vintage Euro, tasteful JDM, and plenty of “I can’t believe that’s here” moments. It’s popular, so expect crowds and limited parking nearby.
Muscle Cars in Mesa (Streetside Classics)
What to expect: More traditional classics and muscle with a laid-back pace—easy to stroll, talk, and actually see cars up close. Great option if you want less chaos and more “walk the lineup” time.
Supercars at Sunset (Echelon Autosports)
What to expect: A strong exotic/supercar lean, lots of photo opportunities, and an “evening hang” vibe. Expect a steady flow of cars coming and going (and a parking lot that fills fast once the sun starts dropping).
Saturday Night Shine (Adam’s Polishes)
What to expect: A casual evening meetup—lots of locals, lots of clean cars, and plenty of “park, walk, chat.” It’s relaxed (not a judged show), but it draws a solid crowd during Car Week.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Arizona Concours d’Elegance
What to expect: A calmer, more “museum on grass” experience—rare cars, careful judging, and lots of people who actually want to talk details. It’s less loud and more refined than the auctions (and great if you want a slower-paced day).
Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction (Continues)
What to expect: Same Barrett-Jackson “festival” energy, but the pace can feel a bit more comfortable than Saturday. If you want to browse cars, grab photos, and not feel like you’re getting swept by the crowd, Sunday is a smart pick.
Monday, January 19, 2026 (Drive Day)
The Scottsdale Grand Tour (Approval Only)
What to expect: More “experience” than car show—organized driving, a curated group, and a controlled schedule. If you like structured events and scenic runs, this is the premium option (and yes, approval/space limits are real).
Euro Experience Tortilla Flats Tour (Haus of Euro)
What to expect: A solid spectator-friendly stop—roll in, check out the cars staging, grab a few photos, and bounce. Expect more Euro performance cars and enthusiast builds, plus a quick “pre-drive buzz” vibe.
Auto Xposure South Mountain Drive
What to expect: A real “Phoenix car scene” moment—sunset-to-night vibes, a steady flow of cars, and great city views. It’s fun, but it’s also time-sensitive (no entry after 7), so don’t show up late.
Drive Central (Velocity Restorations) Test Drive Event
What to expect: Think “brand experience” meets test-drive day—organized, time-slotted, and polished. It’s free, but registration matters, and availability can go quick during Car Week.
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Wood & Wheels (Ironwood Mills)
What to expect: More curated than a parking-lot meet—think “nice venue, clean builds, and room to breathe.” If you like cars but don’t love crowds, this is one of the better mid-week choices.
Two-Wheeled Tuesday (Eleven10 Moto Garage)
What to expect: A different flavor of Car Week—more community, more conversation, and plenty of bikes to check out. It’s friendly and casual (and a great change of pace if you’ve been in auction crowds all day).
Art House Collective (The Warehouse) — Opening Night Window
What to expect: This isn’t a traditional car show—it’s car culture in gallery form. Expect art, displays, a social crowd, and a unique break from the constant parking-lot circuit.
America’s Automotive Trust “Desert Detour” Rally (Scottsdale ⇄ Sedona)
What to expect: A structured rally experience—scenery, stops, and a schedule. It’s not a casual cruise, so plan for a full experience (and a group that’s there to actually put miles on their cars).
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
America’s Automotive Trust “Desert Destination” Party
What to expect: More social than “car show”—a dressed-up evening with a purpose, plus plenty of enthusiasts in one place. Great networking night if you like the community side of the hobby.
RM Sotheby’s Arizona (Preview Day)
What to expect: A quieter, more upscale environment where you can actually study the cars. It’s less chaotic than the big auction halls—perfect if you want detail time and good photos.
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Euro Night (LCE Performance)
What to expect: A shop-hosted meet with a strong Euro focus and plenty of clean builds. Friendly crowd, easy to walk, and a good night to talk mods without the auction noise.
RM Sotheby’s Arizona (Preview)
What to expect: Quiet, classy, and very detail-friendly. If you want to take your time and look at craftsmanship without being shoulder-to-shoulder, preview day is ideal.
Friday, January 23, 2026
RM Sotheby’s Arizona (Auction Day)
What to expect: High-end cars, a serious collector crowd, and a more formal atmosphere. Even if you’re not bidding, it’s worth seeing—just expect a quieter “auction room” vibe vs a festival.
Bonhams|Cars — The Scottsdale Auction
What to expect: A polished auction setting with a curated lineup—less “mega event” and more “focused quality.” Great stop if you’re bouncing between Scottsdale events and want something premium but manageable.
Legends on Canvas: Iconic Cars, Women & Men (Bella Fine Art)
What to expect: More relaxed than the auctions—think strollable gallery energy, good conversation, and a fun “night out” option. Great if you want something Car Week-related that isn’t a parking lot.
Avants Pit Stop / Arizona Auction Week (Cars & Bids Community)
What to expect: Community-first, easygoing, and social—less “show field” and more “hang with enthusiasts.” A great stop if you want to meet people (and see interesting out-of-town cars passing through).
Saturday, January 24, 2026
BossFest (Anghel Restorations Annual Open House)
What to expect: A shop open house with serious builds and plenty of knowledgeable people. It’s friendly and photogenic, but it can feel “packed” because it’s popular and time-windowed—arrive early.
Featuring Ferrari (Fourtillfour Cafe)
What to expect: Great cars in a tight space—perfect for photos and quick chats. Expect a line for coffee and a packed sidewalk (in a good way). If you want the best shots, be there early.
Luxe Cars & Coffee
What to expect: A solid “all types welcome” morning meet with consistently strong turnout during Car Week. Expect lots of walking, lots of variety, and a crowd that’s generally family-friendly and approachable.
Drive Central (Velocity Restorations) Test Drives — Final Weekend
What to expect: A smoother, appointment-style experience—less wandering, more “here’s your slot.” If you want the drive, plan ahead; if you’re just spectating, it’s still cool to see the lineup and staging.
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction (Final Day)
What to expect: A high-energy wrap-up—bigger moments, bigger crowds, and a lot of movement. If you like the “finale” feel, it’s great. If you want calm browsing, a weekday visit is usually easier.
Art House Collective (Final Day Window)
What to expect: A chill “end of week” option—less frantic than the auctions and more walk-and-enjoy. If you want one last Car Week stop without fighting Scottsdale traffic, this is a smart closer.
Want the “auction anchors” in one place?
• Barrett-Jackson tickets: barrett-jackson.com/2026-scottsdale/tickets
• Arizona Concours tickets: arizonaconcours.org/tickets
• RM Sotheby’s Arizona (AZ26): rmsothebys.com/auctions/az26
• Bonhams|Cars Scottsdale: cars.bonhams.com/auction/31957/the-scottsdale-auction
Why this is on Fesler’s blog: Car Week is when a lot of builds get their “final touches” moment. If you’re walking these events and thinking “my glass fitment / interior / final details need to be next-level,” that’s literally what we do all day.



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