Perfect Weather and Passionate Enthusiasts Power 2026 Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals

Carlisle, PA – When May rolls around in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, there are a few givens - the grass (and leaves) pop to a certain shade of green, and cars from around the world flock to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds for the popular Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals car show.  This year, a NEW Showfield record of 2,288 was set, marking the third such time this has happened in the last four years and topping the previous mark of 2,195.  The cars, the people, and the excitement showed up and showed out for two perfect weather days, May 15-16, 2026.

Sunshine helps make any car show good, but cool cars and a passionate enthusiast base can take good and make it great, which was the case at Carlisle.  With sunny skies and temps in the 70s both days, the international gallery of vehicles beamed, while showgoers traversed the automotive world with cameras in hand.

Speaking of special displays, Building T was bustling non-stop with a trio of themes.  This included a showcase of vehicles from around the world, a 100 Years of Maserati display, and a Supercar Showdown.  In fact, there were Supercars in both Building T and Y.  In addition to these great rides on the east side of the grounds, Building R on the west side hosted the popular Race Car Paddock. 

In between those amazing display buildings was the Showfield and this year, it spotlighted the best rides emanating from more than a half dozen countries.  Leading the way was Sweden and its throngs of SAABs and Volvos.  In addition, Germany, France, England, Japan, Korea, and the United States were also front and center.  At every turn, there were cars that most guests only see once a year and in one place; Carlisle!

Speaking of turns, the Carlisle track and adjacent rows had their fair share of lefts and rights as the wheels went in motion.  There were pop-up, on-grounds parades, drifting and autocross hosted by NICOClub, a low car limbo, drift limbo, rolling burnout and donut contest, and even a rolling exhaust contest.  Guests lined up rows deep in some cases to see cars from the Showfield compete, much to the delight of their fellow enthusiasts and participants too.

There was even parts shopping within the automotive flea market and family fun too.  It really was the perfect weekend and it was all powered by a passionate enthusiast base that, in some cases, more than a year ago, decided that Carlisle was their vacation destination for something that’s more than just a car show! 

While the 2026 event is in the books, planning is already underway for 2027. Mark your calendars for May 14–15, 2027, as the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals return with even more of what you love—Race Car Paddock, passport fun, special displays, an international automotive showcase, and all the high-energy action that gives this event its international flair.  Call 717-243-7855 to register for 2027 or visit CarlisleEvents.com for details, spectator admission, and more.

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Carlisle Events is a partner or producer of nearly a dozen annual collector car/truck events.  Events are held at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds (Carlisle, PA) and Allentown Fairgrounds (Allentown, PA).  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.