The Ayrburn Classic 2026

In February 2026 the Ayrburn Classic came back for its second year, with plenty that was new. Three days of rare and beautiful cars, a live auction, a tour through the Wakatipu Basin and the kind of food and wine you would expect from Ayrburn, all a few minutes outside Arrowtown in the best of the Central Otago summer.

As a car rental company, we are contractually obliged to love a car show, and this one makes it easy. It is also a very good reason to have your own car from Evolve Rentals, even if it is not the one that will win the concours.

When was the Ayrburn Classic 2026?

The Ayrburn Classic 2026 ran from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 February 2026 at Ayrburn, near Arrowtown. The organisers moved it slightly earlier than the first event in March 2025 to catch more of the late summer warmth.

What happened at the Ayrburn Classic 2026?

Each day had its own character:

Friday brought the first Tour d'Elegance, with premium cars taking a scenic route through the Wakatipu Basin.

Saturday was the public opening, with judging during the day and a gala dinner in the evening.

Sunday was the new Ladies' Day, with a long lunch, Fashions in the Field and a curated display of cars.

Ayrburn's chief executive Chris Meehan summed up the ambition before the event: "This will be one of the premier reasons to visit Queenstown. The momentum is building, and we're only just getting started."

How did the Ayrburn Classic begin?

With a very big first year. The inaugural Ayrburn Classic in 2025 brought together more than 250 classic and contemporary luxury cars, with a combined value of more than $250 million. The stars included an $8 million LaFerrari and the latest Aston Martin Vanquish, alongside cars from Rolls Royce, Bentley and McLaren, and thousands of people came from around New Zealand and overseas to see them.

That set the bar for 2026, which kept the cars at the centre and added the tour, the auction and a third day with a very different feel.

Was there a car auction at the Ayrburn Classic?

Yes, and it was one of the big new additions for 2026. Sunday Drive scheduled a live auction of 40 rare, classic and high performance cars for 5pm on Saturday 21 February in The Dell, with auctioneer Robert Tulp on the rostrum. The cars were on public preview in the Ayrburn showroom from 18 to 21 February, with bidding in person, online, by phone or in advance.

Even if you were not buying, a preview of 40 collector cars is a very good way to spend an hour, and a much cheaper one than the auction itself.

Where is the Ayrburn Classic held?

At Ayrburn, the dining and hospitality precinct on Ayr Avenue just outside Arrowtown, about 20 to 25 minutes' drive from Queenstown. The setting is a big part of the appeal: one of New Zealand's leading hospitality precincts, with the hills behind Arrowtown as a backdrop to the cars.

If you know Ayrburn from winter, our guide to Ayrburn's Winter Wonderland covers the other side of the precinct's year.

Where can you eat and drink at Ayrburn?

Almost anywhere you turn. Ayrburn is a multi venue precinct, and on a car show weekend that means you are never far from a seat and a glass:

Billy's, in the historic homestead with its glass house.

The Woolshed, for bistro style dining.

The Bakehouse, all day and alfresco, which suits a February afternoon between the cars.

The Manure Room for wine flights and shared plates, The Barrel Room for Ayrburn's own wine tastings, The Vintners Bar for a whisky flight and The Burr Bar for cocktails.

The Dairy, for something sweet, and The Dell, the central gathering spot and the venue for the auction.

How do you make a weekend of it?

Build it around Arrowtown. The village is a few minutes away, so a morning at the cars, lunch in town and a walk along the Arrow River is an easy day. Our Arrowtown day trip guide covers where to eat and what to see.

For anyone whose interest in cars goes beyond looking, Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell is about an hour away. Our post on a day out at Highlands covers what you can do there, and the drive through the Kawarau Gorge is a good one in its own right.

And if you want to see how the event began, our post on the first Ayrburn Classic in 2025 covers the inaugural year.

Tips for a day at the Ayrburn Classic

Dress for the day you picked. Saturday is about the cars, while Sunday's Ladies' Day comes with Fashions in the Field, so it is worth checking the programme before you decide between trainers and something smarter.

Plan for the sun. February in Central Otago is warm and bright, and a day of wandering between cars outdoors is a long one without a hat.

And sort out who is driving before the first tasting. With wine flights, a whisky bar and a gala dinner on the programme, a designated driver or a taxi home is the sensible call, and the only thing we will say about it.

When is the next Ayrburn Classic?

The Ayrburn Classic 2027 is scheduled for 19 to 21 February 2027. Day passes and VIP tickets, along with car entry applications, are handled through the Ayrburn Classic website.

Getting the car sorted

In Queenstown, we bring the car to you. Nobody else in Queenstown does that. Someone from our team meets you where you are staying, walks you round the car and hands over the keys. It will not be a LaFerrari, but it will be waiting for you, which is more than most LaFerraris can say.

February is peak summer in Queenstown, so book your car with Evolve Rentals early and give yourself the whole weekend.

FAQs

When was the Ayrburn Classic 2026?
From Friday 20 to Sunday 22 February 2026, at Ayrburn near Arrowtown.

When is the Ayrburn Classic 2027?
The 2027 event is scheduled for 19 to 21 February 2027.

Where is the Ayrburn Classic held?
At Ayrburn on Ayr Avenue, just outside Arrowtown, about 20 to 25 minutes' drive from Queenstown.

Was there a car auction at the Ayrburn Classic 2026?
Yes. Sunday Drive scheduled a live auction of 40 rare, classic and high performance cars for 5pm on Saturday 21 February 2026 in The Dell at Ayrburn.