Atlantic Nationals car show in Moncton: A car lover’s dream

If you love cars and east coast vacations, here’s a great way to combine both into one spectacular summer road trip. The Atlantic Nationals is the largest annual car show in the Maritimes. Each year, it brings five full days of entertainment and excitement to Moncton, New Brunswick, including street parties, cruises, and thousands of cars on display in the city’s Centennial Park.

With more than 25 years of history, this is one of Canada’s premier automotive events. We checked out the 25th anniversary edition for ourselves to learn more about what to expect and how to plan a visit to enjoy the best experience. You’ll find our best advice for planning a trip to the Atlantic Nationals below.

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When is the next Atlantic Nationals car show?

The next edition of the Atlantic Nationals car show in Moncton will run from July 15 to 19, 2026.

What makes the Atlantic Nationals a special car show?

The Atlantic Nationals stands out because it focuses less on typical car show formalities and more on being a fun and family-friendly event. Cars of all kinds are welcome to enter the show, from rare classics to rat rods, customized modern muscle cars, and everything in between. Rather than focus on categories and prizes, the Atlantic Nationals is a fun weekend where car lovers can come together to chat, make friends, and appreciate hundreds of fantastic automobiles.

What are the can’t-miss events at the Atlantic Nationals?

The main event at the Atlantic Nationals is the two-day show in Moncton’s Centennial Park. On Saturday and Sunday, the park is filled with as many as 2,000 cars!

Cars at the Atlantic Nationals are divided into two categories: classic cars from 1988 and earlier, and muscle cars from 1987 and later. As you walk through the park, though, you’ll find there are no strict divisions. Clubs like the local Jeep Club and Corvette Club have their own corrals, and there are sections where cars from both categories are welcome so family and friends can park together. After all, the point of the show is to celebrate great cars with a family-friendly community feel!

The Friday Cruise-in and Rock ‘n Roll Street Party is another great Atlantic Nationals event. Festivities start in the morning as hundreds of cars cruise onto Main Street in downtown Moncton. Once the cars are parked, the street becomes pedestrian only and visitors can walk for blocks to check the cars out in a festival atmosphere.

On Friday evening, the Canadian Tire Sound Stage comes to life across from Moncton’s City Hall and hosts live music. For 2025, Canadian classic rock band Lighthouse headlined the Friday night concert. Past headliners have included Big Sugar, the Northern Pikes, Chilliwack, and other Canadian bands.

How should I plan for the Atlantic Nationals as a spectator?

If you’re attending the Atlantic Nationals as a spectator, plan to be in Moncton for at least half the day on Friday and the full day on Saturday. This will allow you to attend part of the Friday Rock ‘n Roll Street Party, the Friday night concert downtown, a full day of the show at Centennial Park, and the Saturday night downtown Maritime Kitchen Party.

If your schedule allows, plan to return to Centennial Park for the full day on Sunday. It’s nearly impossible to see everything in the park in one day, so attending on Sunday as well will give you more time to explore. Be sure to check out special features like the park stage — Kent and AJ Writtenberry from Kentz Kustoms have done live chops here in recent years — and the Bernie Melanson Scale Model Show in the park’s Tennis Club and Lawn Bowling Building.

How much are tickets to the Atlantic Nationals?

Downtown events at the Atlantic Nationals, including the Friday Rock ‘n Roll Street Party, the Friday night concert, and the Maritime Kitchen Party, are free of charge. Admission for the main event at Centennial Park costs $15 as of this writing (subject to change), while kids 13 and under enter for free when accompanied by an adult.

What can I expect at the Atlantic Nationals if I enter a car?

On top of the great events like the show days and live concerts, Atlantic Nationals participants enjoy five days of events including an entrant-only breakfast, barbecue, and drive-in movie night. There are also two separate cruise opportunities: a Thursday cruise through the country roads surrounding Moncton, and the Saturday night Atlantic Nationals Dream Cruise to the downtown Maritime Kitchen Party.

While they’re not a primary focus, there are prizes available at the Atlantic Nationals. These range from random draws to sponsor selections, and additional prizes are available to entrants whose cars pass the optional Atlantic Nationals Safety Lanes.

What kind of cars can I enter in the Atlantic Nationals car show?

The best part of the Atlantic Nationals is that it’s open to just about anyone. The organizers take great pride in encouraging people from all walks of life to enjoy the hobby and be part of their community. If you have a car that you’ve invested time and effort in to make it special, it’s welcome at the Atlantic Nationals!

How much is it to enter a car in the Atlantic Nationals?

The entry fee for the Atlantic Nationals is one of the best deals in the car show world. Early bird registration online before the end of December costs just $50 per car. From January until a few days before the show starts, the prices goes up to $60. As the show approaches, registration is $70 online or in-person at the show.

This registration fee gives you access to all five days of events on the Atlantic Nationals schedule, including the breakfast, barbecue, drive-in movie, cruises, Friday Rock ‘n Roll Street Party, live concerts, two days of the main event at Centennial Park, and more!

Where should I stay to attend the Atlantic Nationals?

Attendees choose accommodations all over Moncton for the Atlantic Nationals, but we think a hotel just outside downtown Moncton is the best place to make your home base. During our visit to the Atlantic Nationals, we stayed at the Château Moncton. It’s close enough to downtown that you can walk there in 15 minutes or less along the Riverfront Trail, but you’ll still be able to come and go easily if you need to during downtown events like the Friday Rock ‘n Roll Street Party.

Is there anything else to do while I’m in Moncton?

There’s so much to do in Moncton that it’s a worthy destination on its own. The city and its surrounding area is home to popular attractions like Magnetic Hill, the Bouctouche Dunes, Parlee Beach Provincial Park, and Acadian cultural experiences like Akadi Lumina and Monument-Lefebvre National Historic Site. Enjoy its great brewpubs, and leave some extra time for easy day trips to New Brunswick’s two national parks, Fundy National Park and Kouchibouguac National Park.

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