FAQs
When is the 2026 St James's Spectacle?
In 2026, the Spectacle will take place on Saturday 31 October.
The event will begin at 10.00am and end at 3.00pm.
Do I need a ticket?
No, the event is open and free-to-attend for everyone.
Is the Spectacle family-friendly?
Pall Mall is closed to traffic for the day, making the Spectacle a safe and accessible event for all.
There are numerous interactive exhibits, including one hosting activities for young children and several offering guidance for young people interested in pursuing a career in motoring.
Is there an event programme?
There is no dedicated programme for the Spectacle. However, there are marker boards describing the different feature exhibits.
Can I showcase my car?
If you believe you have a significant vehicle that fits with the themes we are looking to celebrate in 2026, then please do get in touch at vcr@royalautomobileclub.co.uk.
If you are an entrant on the RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run and are interested in displaying your car as part of the veteran concours, please select the relevant option when entering the Run. Please note that entries to the concours are subject to a selection process. For more details, visit the Run website here: https://www.veterancarrun.com/
How long does the event last?
The St James’s Motoring Spectacle is a single-day event.
It opens at 10.00am and closes at 3.00pm; the road reopens to traffic at 4.00pm.
What is the RM Sotheby's London to Brighton Veteran Car Run?
The RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is an annual event in which 400 pre-1905 vehicles journey from Hyde Park to Madeira Drive in Brighton.
The Run commemorates the introduction of the Locomotives on the Highway Act of 14 November 1896; before the Act, amongst other things, cars were limited to 4mph and had to have someone walking ahead of them to warn pedestrians.
A group of pioneering motorists celebrated the new freedoms of the 1896 Act by driving from London to Brighton in what was known as ‘The Emancipation Run’. Homages to that event have happened almost every year since, making the current London to Brighton the world’s oldest motoring event.
Held on the first Sunday of each November, the Run happens the day after the Spectacle. At the Spectacle, 50 of the veteran cars destined for Brighton the following day compete in a concours. The list of 2025 winners can be found here.
More information about the Run can be found here: https://www.veterancarrun.com/
Is the Royal Automobile Club open to the public during the Spectacle?
While the Royal Automobile Club organises the Spectacle as a free-to-attend, open-to-all event, the private members’ clubhouse on Pall Mall remains accessible to members of the Club only.
