Auto Mania 2026 Kicks Off the Carlisle Events Season in Allentown

CARLISLE, PA – Carlisle Events officially opened its 2026 event season January 16–18 with Auto Mania at the Allentown Fairgrounds, once again proving why the annual indoor automotive flea market remains a winter staple for enthusiasts throughout the Northeast.  Despite periods of snowfall during the weekend, the all-weather nature of the event ensured that buyers and sellers alike continued to turn out to find exactly what they were looking for.

Held within the heated Agri-Plex building and supported by additional outdoor vendor areas, Auto Mania welcomed thousands of guests who were eager to shake off the winter blues and get back to buying, selling, trading, and talking all things automotive. Vendors filled two indoor halls with car parts, collectibles, automobilia, memorabilia, tools, apparel, and more, while outdoor spaces and the car corral added to the diverse footprint of the event.

From the moment doors opened Friday afternoon, it was clear that demand remained strong for this long-running January tradition. Shoppers browsed aisle after aisle in search of restoration parts, project pieces, vintage signage, literature, and unique finds, while vendors reported steady traffic throughout the weekend. Snowfall outside did little to slow the pace inside, where heat, camaraderie, and deal-making kept energy levels high.

As is often the case, Saturday was a popular show day. With full show hours from 9 AM to 6 PM, guests packed the aisles, and reconnected with familiar faces. Sunday offered a final opportunity for last-minute deals and conversations before vendors began load-out and attendees turned their attention toward the upcoming spring car show season.

Adding to the community-focused spirit of the weekend, members of the Lehigh Valley Lions Club volunteered their time at the gates on Friday and Saturday, greeting guests and soliciting donations to support the organization’s various charitable initiatives. Their presence and dedication were warmly received and appreciated by both attendees and event staff.  In fact, they received nearly $1,200 in donations from guests as they walked into the building.

With Auto Mania 2026 officially in the books, Carlisle Events now turns its attention to Spring Carlisle, scheduled for April 22-26 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds. The five-day event will once again feature one of the largest automotive flea markets in the world, a car corral, and a two-day collector car auction powered by Carlisle Auctions (April 23-24) at the neighboring Carlisle Expo Center.

Complete details on upcoming events, including Spring Carlisle and the full 2026 schedule, are available at CarlisleEvents.com. Auction information, including consignments and bidder registration, can be found at CarlisleAuctions.com.

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Carlisle Events is a partner or producer of over a dozen annual collector car/truck events. Events are held at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds (Carlisle, PA), Allentown Fairgrounds (Allentown, PA), and the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus (Lakeland, FL). The season schedule includes automotive flea markets of varying sizes, multiple auctions, as well as individual specialty shows featuring Corvettes, Fords, GMs, Chryslers, trucks, imports, tuners, and performance sport compacts. Founded in 1974 by friends Bill Miller and Chip Miller, events hosted at Carlisle attract enthusiasts annually from all corners of the globe. More information is available at www.CarlisleEvents.com or www.CarlisleAuctions.com.