MONTEREY CAR WEEK 2026
What Is Happening at Asilomar During Monterey Car Week 2026?
All roads lead to Asilomar during Monterey Car Week 2026. The historic coastal conference grounds in Pacific Grove will host four distinctive automotive and cultural experiences from August 10 through August 13, including electric-vehicle test drives, lowrider culture, Polynesian entertainment, and classic wood-bodied automobiles.
Four Car Week Experiences at One Coastal Location
Asilomar’s 2026 Car Week schedule offers more than a traditional car show. Visitors can explore the future of electric driving, experience a celebration of lowrider and Chicano culture, enjoy an island-inspired evening in the meadow, and view restored wood-bodied vehicles beneath the Monterey pines.
The events take place across different areas of the Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds, including Lot B, the underground garage in Lot D, and the Grand Cypress Meadow.
AUGUST 10–11, 2026
Electric Coast: Explore the Future of Driving
Electric Coast is a new Car Week experience focused on electric-vehicle innovation. Set along the Asilomar coastline, the showcase gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about current EV technology in a relaxed coastal environment.
Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in complimentary Rivian demo drives. Advance reservations are recommended through Rivian’s official demonstration-drive system.
Electric Coast Schedule
- Monday, August 10: 12:00 PM–4:00 PM
- Tuesday, August 11: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
- Location: Lot B at Asilomar
- Featured experience: Free Rivian demo drives
AUGUST 11, 2026
Night Rider: Lowrider Culture in Asilomar’s Underground Garage
Night Rider transforms Asilomar’s underground garage into an evening celebration of lowrider culture, custom automobiles, and Chicano heritage.
The event will feature a curated collection of vehicles, a live DJ spinning vintage vinyl, artisan vendors, local food, and a setting that differs dramatically from the traditional lawns and concours fields associated with Monterey Car Week.
Night Rider Event Details
- Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2026
- Time: 6:00 PM–9:00 PM
- Location: Underground Garage, Lot D
- Experience: Lowriders, vinyl music, local vendors, and food
AUGUST 12, 2026
Luau in the Meadow: An Island-Inspired Car Week Evening
Luau in the Meadow brings Polynesian music, dance, and food to Asilomar’s Grand Cypress Meadow. The evening serves as the official kickoff to the second annual Woodies in the Woods.
Entertainment will include the Ho’omana Band along with hula and Tahitian dance performances by Halau Hula Hi’ilani ‘O Ke Kai.
Luau in the Meadow Details
- Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2026
- Time: 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
- Location: Grand Cypress Meadow
- Experience: Polynesian entertainment and island-inspired cuisine
AUGUST 13, 2026
Woodies in the Woods: Classic Cars Beneath the Monterey Pines
Woodies in the Woods celebrates the craftsmanship, surf culture, and unmistakable character of classic wood-bodied wagons.
Presented in collaboration with the Santa Cruz Woodies Club, the event will place restored vehicles throughout Asilomar’s Grand Cypress Meadow. Visitors can also enjoy live music from The Shawn Yanez Band while exploring the display.
Woodies in the Woods Details
- Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026
- Time: 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
- Location: Grand Cypress Meadow
- Presented with: Santa Cruz Woodies Club
- Live music: The Shawn Yanez Band
Why Visit Asilomar During Monterey Car Week?
Asilomar offers a different Car Week atmosphere from the larger auctions, racetrack events, and formal concours gatherings. Its historic buildings, forested grounds, meadows, and proximity to Asilomar State Beach create a relaxed coastal setting for both automotive enthusiasts and visitors who simply want to experience the Monterey Peninsula during Car Week.
Automotive Variety
The schedule moves from modern EV technology to lowrider culture, classic woodies, and automotive heritage.
Coastal Setting
Events take place among Monterey pines, historic architecture, open meadows, and the nearby Pacific coastline.
More Than Cars
Live music, cultural performances, food, local vendors, and hospitality make the schedule accessible to more than dedicated collectors.
Multiple Events
Visitors can attend several distinct Car Week experiences without traveling between multiple venues on the Peninsula.
Asilomar Car Week 2026 Schedule
| Event | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Coast | August 10 | 12:00 PM–4:00 PM | Lot B |
| Electric Coast | August 11 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | Lot B |
| Night Rider | August 11 | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | Underground Garage, Lot D |
| Luau in the Meadow | August 12 | 5:00 PM–8:00 PM | Grand Cypress Meadow |
| Woodies in the Woods | August 13 | 12:00 PM–5:00 PM | Grand Cypress Meadow |
Asilomar Location
Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds800 Asilomar Avenue
Pacific Grove, California 93950
Event locations vary across the property. Review the official event details before arrival for parking, admission, ticketing, and check-in instructions.
LOCAL MONTEREY CAR WEEK PRODUCTION SUPPORT
Producing an Event at Asilomar or Elsewhere During Car Week?
Mindwarp Entertainment Productions provides skilled local A/V technicians, stagehands, audio personnel, lighting labor, rigging support, equipment, and production payroll services throughout Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties.
Our crews support automotive showcases, outdoor activations, hospitality events, presentations, concerts, temporary installations, and private brand experiences throughout the Monterey Peninsula.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Car Week events are taking place at Asilomar in 2026?
Asilomar’s 2026 Car Week schedule includes Electric Coast, Night Rider, Luau in the Meadow, and Woodies in the Woods.
Where is Night Rider being held?
Night Rider will take place in Asilomar’s underground garage in Lot D on August 11 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
What is Woodies in the Woods?
Woodies in the Woods is a display of classic wood-bodied wagons presented in collaboration with the Santa Cruz Woodies Club in Asilomar’s Grand Cypress Meadow.
Where is Asilomar located?
Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds is located at 800 Asilomar Avenue in Pacific Grove, California.