PHOENIX — Car enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to as the 2026 Arizona Car Week starts next week and more than 30 events are planned across the Valley for it.
Car week begins Jan. 16 and runs through Jan. 25. The different events are scheduled to take place in Fountain Hills, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe.
The nine-day series features classic, collector and exotic cars. In previous years, more than 200,000 people have attended car week and Darin Roberge — founder of arizonacarweek.org and Motorwerks Companies — expects that trend to continue.
Things to do at the 2026 Arizona Car Week
While a number of the events that are part of car week are free, there are some that require tickets, which can be purchased online.
From family-friendly gatherings to cocktail experiences and cigar lounges, there is something for everyone to enjoy depending on what they’re looking for.
A brand-new event series is being introduced by The Warehouse — a vehicle storage facility and social club — during car week. It is called the Art House Collective and celebrates the combination of automotive culture and fine art.
“By debuting this six-day art gallery during Arizona Car Week, we’re able to not only gather like-minded enthusiasts that may be looking for storage for their prized vehicles or a new community to join, but also, we have the perfect opportunity for increased exposure that helps support four amazing artists and the creative community of Arizona as a whole,” The Warehouse founder and event organizer Rebecca Nguyen said in a press release.
The artists being featured at the exhibition, which runs from Jan. 20 to Jan. 25, include Dwight Knowlton, Lyn Hiner, Bill Pack and David Townsend.
A company that will be returning to Arizona Car Week is Italian Design and Racing with its Ritrovo Cavallino Rampante event on Jan. 22, which provides attendees with the opportunity to see rare, exotic Italian cars and a gallery of memorabilia.
“Each year, this event gives us a great reason to invite people in to see and experience firsthand the unique nature of our shop,” owner Michael Carpenter said. “You really need to see the shop to fully experience all that we have to offer.”
Carpenter explained how important foot traffic from car week is to his business, adding that it also provides those who stop by an in-person look at the vehicles and their craftsmanship that photos and words online can’t compare to.
In fact, many local businesses use car week to boost their businesses and gain exposure for their brand. In 2025, Arizona Car Week broke a record with 31 events across the Valley, according to Roberge.
“At its core, my mission with arizonacarweek.org is to ensure all communities in our state have the information and access to witness, from a front-row seat, this rolling evolution of car culture,” Roberge said. “This is what truly sets our state apart. It’s that this scene isn’t locked behind velvet ropes or invitation-only garages. It’s accessible. It’s family friendly. It’s right here in our backyard.”
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