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Historic Racing

2027 Donington Historic Festival

Donington Park Circuit, Castle Donington, United Kingdom30 Apr – 2 May 20273 days

Why You Should Go

Ten decades of racing cars, an open paddock and club cars on the infield in one weekend

Format

Three Day Race Meeting

Crowd

Historic racing fans and car clubs, no published crowd figure

Vibe

Bank holiday historic racing with an open paddock

About This Event

The Donington Historic Festival is the longest running event on the Motor Racing Legends calendar, three days of historic racing at Donington Park over the Early May Bank Holiday. High speed demonstration runs go on between the races, and the infield fills with club displays of historic cars from every era.

1What to Expect

Three days over the bank holiday: The 2027 festival runs Friday 30 April to Sunday 2 May. In 2026 Friday was qualifying plus the first races, and Saturday and Sunday ran from 9am to 7pm.
Grids from ten decades: In 2026 the grids ran from Pre War Sports Cars and Formula Junior to the Historic Touring Car Challenge and GT3 Legends. The 2027 grids are not announced yet.
Demonstration runs: High speed demonstration runs go on alongside the racing. In 2026 these were historic Formula 1 cars, early afternoon on Saturday and Sunday.
Show all 5
Club cars on the infield: Dozens of car clubs brought hundreds of cars to the infield in 2026, with club parades at lunchtime and at the close of each day.
An open paddock: In 2026 every grid had its own paddock tent, and the paddock was open to spectators.

2Best Way to Experience It

Gold

The paddock between races

Each grid has its own paddock tent, so the cars are prepared in the open between races (2026 layout).

Silver

Starkey's Parking above the Craner Curves

Park and view overlooking the Craner Curves, Old Hairpin and the Schwantz corners. In 2026 it was £5 per car on Friday and £10 on Saturday and Sunday.

Bronze

The Hollywood Grandstand

In 2026 it was free on Friday and a £15 add on for Saturday and Sunday.

About the Venue

Race Tracks

Donington Park Circuit

  • 4.02 km
See the venue guideDirections

3Nearby Accommodation

4Logistics

Getting there

Driving

  • From the north, leave the M1 at junction 24 and follow the A453.
  • From the south, leave at junction 23a, then take the A42 and the A453 signposted East Midlands Airport and Donington Park.
  • Parking outside the circuit was free all weekend in 2026.

Public transport

  • Donington Park has its own bus stop outside the East Entrance, opposite East Midlands Airport, served by Skylink buses from Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and Loughborough.
  • The nearest railway station is East Midlands Parkway.

Rideshare and taxis

  • Taxis drop off in the layby outside the paddock entrance, postcode DE74 2BN.

Best value route

  • A Skylink bus to the stop outside the East Entrance.
Tickets and entry

Tickets

  • 2027 tickets go on sale later in 2026 through the circuit.

Costs

  • In 2026 the racing simulator was £15 per person, the Scalextric challenge was £3 a go, and classic car passenger rides were given in return for a charity donation.
On the day

Weather

  • Early May is spring in the East Midlands.

Food and drink

  • In 2026 food was sold on the hard standing in the centre of the circuit.

5Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get close to the cars?
Yes. In 2026 the paddock was open to spectators and the GT3 Legends pit walk was free at lunchtime each day.
Suitable for kids?
In 2026 there was free face painting and arts and crafts in Garage 39, plus a Scalextric challenge with daily prizes.
Is Friday worth it?
In 2026 Friday had ten qualifying sessions and the first races, with the Hollywood Grandstand free that day.

6Cost Breakdown

2027 pricesPrice
2027 admission not yet announced
Hollywood Grandstand£15 add on Saturday and Sunday in 2026
Starkey's Parking£5 Friday, £10 Saturday and Sunday per car in 2026
Racing simulator£15 per person in 2026
Scalextric challenge£3 per go in 2026
Last verified: 8 November 2026Official link: motorracinglegends.com

Tags

Car DisplaysMulti Day EventPublic TransportClassic CarsHistoric RacingBehind the Scenes

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