Podington, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom2026-07-24 to 2026-07-26
About This Event
Held since 1987 at Santa Pod Raceway — Europe's largest VW show, bringing together drag racing, show-and-shine displays, camping and music across three days on the quarter-mile strip. A VW and campervan festival with qualifying runs on the concrete drag strip, trade village, kids zone and live entertainment.
What to Expect
Monster truck Podzilla car-crushing demonstrations and stunt driver Terry Grant precision displays
Pro Mod doorslammers, Nitro Funny Cars, VW drag racers and street-legal hot rods
Old school BMX displays and competitions in the Cool Flo Arena
Five music arenas with indie, dance DJs, live bands and tribute acts
Flower Power fancy dress theme celebrating Santa Pod Raceway's 60th anniversary
Best Way to Experience It
Spectator banking runs the full track length letting you wander and choose viewing spots
Electric camping hookups available for purchase but sell quickly
Good to Know
Children under 5 admitted free
Camping included with weekend tickets; Quiet/Family camping zones enforce noise curfews
All tickets including same-day purchases only available online or by phone
Strict re-entry policy requires payment to return after leaving venue
No dogs or pets allowed on site
Is This Event Right For You?
Best fit if you enjoy grassroots car culture — Europe's largest VW gathering with 33,000+ attendees, all aircooled and watercooled Volkswagens welcome, £87.50 weekend entry includes Show & Shine display, quarter-mile drag strip "Run What Ya Brung" sessions.
Best fit if you like camping experiences — three-day festival format Friday-Sunday with on-site camping included in weekend tickets, disused RAF airbase grass fields, evening entertainment continues after track closes, family-friendly atmosphere with kids under five free.
Best fit if you value festival environments — "Glastonbury On Wheels" combines VW show with live music, comedy acts, stunt displays, funfair, retro jumble marketplace, Kids Zone activities, blends automotive gathering with summer festival entertainment.
Not ideal if you prefer judged concours events — Show & Shine optional entry without formal judging categories or awards, emphasizes casual VW community gathering over pristine restorations, relaxed presentation standards versus frame-off concours preparation requirements.
Tags
Permanent Circuitswap meet / parts marketCar DisplayMulti-Day EventThree-Day Eventcelebrity appearancesConcertMerchandiseBeginner Friendlyear protection recommendedLive Musicgrassroots / amateur eventmonster trucksVIP HospitalityBarclub stand / car club areaDay/Night MixedDragstripFood VillageStatic Displayslivestream availablespecific marque eventFestival AtmosphereFamily Friendlyspectator drags (public can race)Multi-Race Format
