Weekend Admission (Fri 1 - Sun 3 May 2026)
- THREE PACKED DAYS OF RACING AND DEMOS
- HUGE INFIELD CAR DISPLAYS
- OPEN PADDOCK ACCESS AND MORE
Donington Park’s showpiece historic fixture, the Donington Historic Festival, returns for its 15th edition in 2026 with three packed days of retro thrills.
A superb gathering of hundreds of classic racing cars will take to the track to celebrate the rich history of the circuit. The pre-war era through to the modern age of GTs will be celebrated, with stunning examples from every decade in between. Evocative icons will compete across a range of Motor Racing Legends (MRL) categories, while the unique Generations Trophy makes its Donington Park debut.
A major racing highlight will be GT3 Legends where thirty cars are expected - a spectacular grid to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the GT3 category. Expect to see incredible machines such as the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, Lamborghini Gallardo and Ford GT Evo, to name a few.
Parade laps, classic road car displays and F1 demonstrations add to the festivities too. A themed trade area will offer unique memorabilia and specialist items, with the paddock also open all weekend.
Please click here to view important spectator information for this weekend.
Tickets will be available on the gate
Under 13s Go Free!
Donington Historic Festival
Friday 01 - Sunday 03 May 2026
00
Hours
00
Mins
00
Secs
Adult Ages 16 and above
£60.00 Gate Only
Teen Ages 13 - 15
£35.00 Gate Only
Friday Admission
- PRACTICE AND QUALIFYING SESSIONS
- OPEN PADDOCK ACCESS AND MORE
Adult Ages 16 and above
£18.00 Gate Only
Teen Ages 13-15
£10.00 Gate Only
Saturday Admission
- BUSY PROGRAMME OF QUALIFYING AND RACING
- CAR DISPLAYS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Adult Ages 16 and above
£35.00 Gate Only
Teen Ages 13-15
£21.00 Gate Only
Sunday Admission
- BUSY PROGRAMME OF QUALIFYING AND RACING
- CAR DISPLAYS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Adult Ages 16 and above
£35.00 Gate Only
Teen Ages 13 - 15
£21.00 Gate Only
PLEASE NOTE: Advance booking closed at 16:00 Wednesday 29 April. If you haven’t received your ticket(s) please contact us. Under 16s must be accompanied by an Adult.
Starkey’s Car Parking
Starkey’s Parking, overlooking the famous Craner Curves, Old Hairpin and Schwantz sequence of corners, is available in advance for £5 per car on Friday, £10 per car on Saturday or Sunday. All persons will still require a valid entry ticket. A car hanger will be provided to all purchasers, and must be displayed in your vehicle. All other public parking outside the circuit is free.
£10.00 Gate Only
Souvenir Programme
Order your souvenir race programme in advance. Simply claim it on the day from one of our selected programme booths or circuit shops.
£10.00 Gate Only
Radio
Order your radio earpiece in advance and collect it at the circuit from one of our selected programme booths or circuit shops - click here for more information.
£14.00 Gate Only
Upgrade to the best view in the house! Hollywood Grandstand will be open on both Saturday and Sunday. Please note the grandstand will be open on Friday free of charge and available on a first come, first served basis.
Grandstand Information
Hollywood Stand
The Hollywood grandstand provides an epic viewpoint of well over a third of the circuit! Watch the field scramble through Redgate on the first lap before filtering through the iconic Hollywood and Craner Curves section, which always provides plenty of action!
Adult
£15.00 Gate Only
Under 16
£10.00 Gate Only
Historic Touring Car Challenge
Motor Racing Legends Historic Touring Car Trophy and Tony Dron Trophy encompasses two decades of Touring Cars in one eclectic saloon grid.
GT3 Legends
The Motor Racing Legends championship, for GT3 cars homologated between 2006 and 2012, up to 2015 specification. A spectacular 30 car grid is expected to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the GT3 category.
Royal Automobile Club Pall Mall Cup
The epic, two-hour Royal Automobile Club Pall Mall Cup features pre-’66 GT and Touring Cars, with categories for pre-'63 GTs and pre ‘61 Sports Cars.
Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy & Stirling Moss Trophy
The Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy and Stirling Moss Trophy combined will feature a range of ‘50s and early ‘60s sports cars, including icons like the Jaguar D-type, Maserati 250S, Lister Jaguar Knobbly and more.
MRL Generations Trophy
One MGB, two generations, and a shared passion for racing. The Generations Trophy, a competition designed for families who want to race together and pass on their passion.
MRL Pre 63 GT
Pre ‘63 GT series brings Short Wheelbase Ferraris, DB4GT Astons, AC Aces, SZ Alfas and Lotus Elites – all to genuine pre-1963 specification.
Top Hat Pre-'66 Touring Cars
Top Hat Pre ’66 Touring Cars evokes the formative years of touring racing with thundering V8 Falcons, Mustangs and Galaxies battling nimble Lotus Cortinas, Alfa GTAs and pesky Mini Coopers and more.
Historic Grand Prix Cars Association
Featuring classically-modelled single-seater GP machines from the pre-slicks-and-wings era of the sport. The grid will feature a wonderful array of pre-1966 Grand Prix Cars both front and rear engine.
HRDC Allstars
HRDC Allstars for pre-’66 Sports, GT & Touring Cars will feature a variety of cars, capturing the atmosphere of ‘50s and ‘60s allcomers racing.
HRDC Gerry Marshall Trophy
The HRDC Gerry Marshall Trophy adds tin top heroes from the pre-’83 Group 1 era to the Donington Historic Festival line-up. These retro saloons will entertain in a 45-minute feature race.
Formula Junior
The FJHRA Formula Junior Championships are booming, with huge worldwide interest in the category for up to 1100cc single-seater racing cars. Although Formula Junior only existed from 1958 to 1963, it continues to be one of the most popular of all historic racing categories.
Formula 1 Demos
After a spectacular show last year from the Williams-BMW FW22 from Williams Heritage and Robert Spencer's Benetton B197, F1 machinery returns to DHF26. Full details will be revealed soon, but expect to have ears ringing and heartbeat accelerated!
McLaren MP4/1 Demonstration
The Iconic McLaren MP4/1 out on track as part of our Formula One feature at this year’s Donington Historic Festival
This historically significant machine was raced by Niki Lauda during his 1982 comeback season, and stands as one of the sport’s true pioneers.
McLaren M29
The McLaren M29 will take to the track as part of our Formula One feature at this year’s Donington Historic Festival. Raced in 1979–1980 by drivers including John Watson, this Cosworth-powered machine marked an important step in McLaren’s development, showcasing advances in aerodynamics and ground effect performance during a highly competitive era of Formula One.
Arrows FA13
The Footwork FA13 will be in action as part of our Formula One feature at this year’s Donington Historic Festival. Raced during the 1992 season by Michele Alboreto and Aguri Suzuki, this Mugen Honda-powered machine played a key role in restoring the team’s competitiveness, delivering consistent midfield performances and a pair of fifth-place finishes.
Benetton 193B
The Benetton B193 will feature as part of our Formula One line-up at this year’s Donington Historic Festival. Raced during the 1993 season by Michael Schumacher and Riccardo Patrese, this Cosworth-powered challenger marked a key step in Benetton’s rise, delivering consistent points finishes and a memorable podium at Silverstone.
Surtees TS14
The Surtees TS14 will be on track as part of our Formula One feature at this year’s Donington Historic Festival. Designed by John Surtees for the 1972 season, this Cosworth-powered machine represents the final full Formula One design from the Surtees team, embodying the straightforward engineering of the early 1970s era.
CycleKarts GB - NEW FOR 2026
Cyclekarts are hand-built, lightweight machines inspired by pre-war racing cars. Watch them race from Friday afternoon through to Sunday! With an open paddock, get up close to the karts, chat with drivers, and enjoy the thrill of speed and craftsmanship. Don’t miss the action!
Simulator Experience
Perfect Acceleration will be in attendance with simulators for you to experience driving the Donington Park circuit. Sessions are £15 per person. with a cash prize for the fast time!
Car Clubs
Car clubs large and small will be putting on a sublime display over the weekend, creating a living motoring museum on the infield and Melbourne Hairpin. Expect to see hundreds of cars from Alfas to Jaguars and everything in-between on display from over 60 different clubs!
Sporting Bears
Members of the Sporting Bears will be giving visitors the chance to enjoy passenger rides on public roads surrounding Donington Park in one of their impressive classic or supercars in exchange for a donation to a charity. It’s a great chance to get out and about in a very special car for a very special cause!
Slot Cars
Speed Lovers & Petrol Weds return to the Donington Historic Festival, offering the chance to drive 12 laps around the National circuit for just £3. Each day, the five fastest drivers will receive prizes.
Free Face Painting
Enjoy free face painting on Saturday & Sunday of the Donington Historic Festival! Perfect for younger fans, it’s a fun way to get into the spirit of the event—so be sure to stop by and add a splash of colour to your day.
Free Arts & Crafts
Join us in Garage 39 on Saturday & Sunday for our free Arts & Crafts from painting to DIY Crafts, there’s something for everyone to explore and enjoy.
Open Race Paddock - all weekend
The paddock is open to all, allowing you to stroll through the 100s of classic tin top and single seater racing cars before they take to the circuit.
Display Car Parades
Once the racing is done each day, hundreds of display cars will take to the Donington Park Circuit for a special track parade. The parade is open to all clubs and private entries who are located within the display areas of the show.
Trade Stands
A themed trade area will be in operation all weekend, offering unique memorabilia and specialist items.
Free Parking
General Public and Disabled Parking is free of charge. Starkey’s Parking, overlooking the Craner Curves, Old Hairpin and Schwantz sequence, is available for £10 per car per day. All persons will require a valid entry ticket. A car hanger will be provided to all Starkey’s Parking purchasers, and must be displayed in your vehicle.
Whether you're entertaining clients or celebrating a special occasion with family and friends, a hospitality package offers an exhilarating day out in fabulous surroundings. For booking enquiries contact 01474 875224 or [email protected].
Gold Hospitality - Off Sale
Our guests will enjoy morning coffee and hot breakfast rolls on arrival, a two course lunch and traditional afternoon tea. A complimentary bar will be available, serving house wines, a selection of beers, ciders and soft drinks. Located in the exclusive Redgate suites, this area enjoys views of the first corner action from a viewing balcony, as well as TV coverage, with commentary, and complimentary Wi-Fi all day. The package includes privileged parking, entrance tickets to the venue and suite, as well as an official event programme. Please note all bookings are subject to a postal fee.
Silver Hospitality - Off Sale
Our guests will enjoy morning coffee and breakfast pastries on arrival, a two course lunch and traditional afternoon tea. A pay bar will be in operation, serving house wines, a selection of beers, ciders and soft drinks. Located in the popular Goddards suites, this area enjoys views of the final corner action from a viewing balcony, as well as TV coverage, with commentary, and complimentary Wi-Fi all day. The package includes privileged parking, entrance tickets to the venue and suite, as well as an official event programme.
Donington Park Farmhouse is located conveniently next to Donington Park Race Track and has direct pedestrian access to the pits and paddock entrance. Please note the farmhouse is not operated by Donington Park, so please visit their website for booking details.
