Official Information Page
Table of Contents
Event Details
Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Location: Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Road, Monterey, CA 93940
The Monterey Motorsports Festival is the largest evening event of Saturday during Monterey Car Week. Join us for an unforgettable night of world-class cars, live entertainment, food & beverage, family activities, and community celebration.
General Directions & Parking
For All Attendees
The Fairgrounds is located in the heart of Monterey.
Recommended Arrival: Plan to arrive early to avoid traffic and secure parking.
Parking
- General Parking: Gate 8 — free, first-come, first-served
- Overflow Parking: Monterey Pine Golf Course
- If both lots are full, street parking is available along Fairgrounds Road or Upper Garden Road.
Strongly Recommended: Use ride-share services such as Uber or Lyft. The designated Uber/Lyft pickup and drop-off zone is at Gate 3 Parking Area.
Neighborhood Respect
Please be considerate of our neighbors:
- No loud noise
- No speeding
- No revving engines on surrounding streets
Traffic Tip: Arrive early to avoid congestion.
For Attendees
- Gates open at 5:00 PM. Public entry is through Main Gate 5.
- Enjoy the Main Lawn, Family Fun Zone, Food & Beverage areas, Main Stage, Arena, and more.
- All attendees must follow event staff instructions and posted rules for safety.
- Please review the Monterey County Fair & Event Center Code of Conduct, Public Screening Policy, and Clear Bag Policy before arrival.
- No re-entry after 11:00 PM, when the event ends.
- Vehicles parked inside the venue cannot leave until the event concludes at 11:00 PM. This is a safety policy.
- In case of emergency: Leave vehicles in place and exit on foot. Follow instructions from law enforcement and Cal Fire.
For Vendors
Load-In Schedule
- Early Load-In — Optional: Friday, August 14, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Event Day Load-In: Saturday, August 15, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Vendors must be fully set up by 4:30 PM.
Load-In Gates
- Family Fun Zone, Arena, Food Courts, and Lower Areas: Gate 6
- Main Lawn, VIP Lounge, Main Stage, Center of Event, Food & Beverage Lawn: Gate 4
Please wait for event support personnel to escort you.
Important Rules
- Do not leave any vehicle unattended in the middle of roadways.
- Do not maneuver large vehicles onto lawns.
- All setup must be completed before gates open to the public at 5:00 PM.
- Trucks and trailers are not permitted in the general parking lot or along Fairgrounds Road.
For Car Exhibitors
Load-In Schedule
- Early Load-In — Recommended for participants wanting minimal delays: Friday, August 14, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Event Day Load-In: Saturday, August 15, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- All vehicles must be in final position by 4:30 PM.
Load-In Gate
- Main Lawn, VIP Lounge, Main Stage, and central display areas: Gate 4
- Wait for an event support person to escort you to your assigned spot.
Important Rules
- Do not leave vehicles unattended in roadways.
- Do not drive or maneuver large vehicles onto lawns.
- Once parked, vehicles cannot leave the venue until 11:00 PM, when the event ends, for safety reasons.
- In case of emergency: Do not drive out. Leave the vehicle and exit on foot. Return only when cleared by law enforcement and Cal Fire.
Special Guest Entry
Special guests and VIPs will receive separate instructions via email or direct communication from the event team.
- Primary VIP access is through Gate 3.
- Dedicated VIP Lounge access
- Early arrival options available upon request
Please follow your assigned event coordinator’s instructions.
Drive-In Parade
Parade Entry
- All parade groups will be escorted to the venue by local law enforcement.
- Parades enter the venue at Gate 4.
Inside the Venue
- Maintain speed not to exceed 5 mph, safe walking pace, at all times.
- Once inside, wait for an event assistant to guide you to your display spot.
- Vehicles in the parade cannot leave the venue until 11:00 PM, when the event ends.
- Emergency Protocol: In case of emergency, leave the vehicle in place and exit on foot. Do not drive out until cleared by law enforcement and Cal Fire.
Truck & Trailer Policy
No trucks or trailers are allowed in the general parking lot or along Fairgrounds Road.
All commercial truck/trailer load-in must be coordinated in advance through the event production team and use designated load-in gates only.
