Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival

09/09/2026

The 2026 Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival is almost here, and downtown Watkins Glen is getting ready to transform into the ultimate celebration of vintage racing history! 🏁

From classic car displays and local vendors to live music, tech inspections, and the legendary Grand Prix Tribute laps on the historic 6.6-mile street course, this Friday, September 11th is packed with non-stop action for the entire family.

Check out the festival timeline below and tag your fellow car-enthusiasts!

09/08/2026

Planning your trip downtown for the 2026 Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival this Friday, September 11th? Here is everything you need to know about road closures, shuttle service, and parking! 🚗💨

Road Closures (12 PM – 8 PM)

-Franklin Street: Closed between 2nd and 10th Streets.

-Side Streets: 5th through 10th Streets closed between Franklin and Decatur Streets.

FREE Shuttle Service (12 PM – 8 PM)
Park at Clute Park and take our free shuttle downtown!

-Stop 1: Lafayette Park (5th & Porter Street)

-Stop 2: 10th & Porter Street

Paid Municipal Parking ($10 for the Entire Day)

-Entry: Access via 6th Street off Decatur Street.

-Exit: Depart via 5th Street toward Decatur Street.

Note: Spaces are first-come, first-served. Free parking is also available on open side streets!

Save this post to your phone so you can navigate downtown smoothly on Friday! 🏁

09/07/2026

The official map for the 2026 Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival is here! Join us downtown this Friday, September 11th, for a full day of racing history, car displays, food, shopping, and fun for the whole family!

Take a look at the layout to locate key areas, car shows, and event highlights before you arrive downtown!

Stay tuned to our page over the next few days as we share more details on the event timeline and complete parking information.

Get ready for an amazing day in Watkins Glen! 🏎️🏁

09/04/2026

We are officially ONE WEEK AWAY from the 2026 Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival! 🏎️💨

Get ready to experience the roar of history with the Watkins Glen International Grand Prix Tribute Laps! Watch as iconic SVRA machines representing five decades of competition thunder down the streets, bringing the spirit of early street racing back to life right on the original circuit. Feel the vibrations beneath your feet as these legendary cars take to the downtown course once again!

Mark your calendars for next Friday, September 11, 2026, from 10 AM to 8 PM. The countdown is on! 🏁

09/03/2026

School is out next Friday, so bring the kiddos to the 2026 Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival! 🏁

Make sure to visit our brand-new Family Zone on the Courthouse lawn from 12 PM to 4 PM on Friday, September 11th. It’s set up right in the heart of the festival with plenty of fun for the kids!

What's happening at the Family Zone:

🏎Race car craft activity hosted by the Watkins Glen Public Library!

🎨Car-themed face painting with our favorite local artist, Painted Love Face & Body Painting by Jen Sekella

*We ask that caregivers stay with their children while enjoying the Family Zone.

We are just over a week away! Join us downtown for the best day of the year in Watkins Glen.🏁

09/02/2026

We are so excited to introduce the incredible lineup of vendors joining us for the 2026 Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival!

From delicious local food to unique crafts and specialty goods, there is truly something for everyone along Franklin Street, Watkins Glen. Check out the graphic below to see who will be set up on the Courthouse lawn and along Franklin Street, and make sure to tap through to support these fantastic businesses!

Join us next Friday, September 11, 2026, from 10 AM to 8 PM for a full day of great shopping, local flavors, and historic motor racing.🏁

09/01/2026

When NASCAR royalty and our 2026 Grand Marshal, Mike Joy, speaks about the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival, you listen! 🎙️ A huge thank you to our friends at SVRA for capturing this moment and for being such a great partner. We can't wait to see everyone back in Watkins Glen on September 11th! 🏎️🏁

08/25/2026

🏁 MEET YOUR 2026 GRAND MARSHALS! 🏁

We are thrilled to announce that father-son racing duo Mike and Scott Joy will serve as the Grand Marshals for this year’s 2026 Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival on Friday, September 11!

From the broadcasting booth to the driver’s seat, both bring incredible racing heritage to the streets where post-WWII American road racing was born.

🎙️ Mike Joy

Legendary lead race announcer for FOX Sports NASCAR (anchoring 47 Daytona 500s!)

New England Auto Racers Hall of Famer

Accomplished sports car racer with victories at Watkins Glen, Lime Rock, Pocono, and competition in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona

🏎️ Scott Joy

Began his racing career at just 10 years old in US Legends cars

Battled his dad on the track, taking 1st place over Mike at Lime Rock in 2022!

Catch Them at the Festival:

3:00 PM | Legends Speak: Join Mike and Scott at Lafayette Park as they share their favorite racing stories.

Tribute Laps: Watch them bring their 1970 Camaro Z28s straight from the racetrack to lead vintage race cars around the historic Old Course!

Come out to downtown Watkins Glen on Sept 11th to give them a warm welcome! 🏎️💨

08/25/2026

DON'T FORGET!🚨

Rgeistration for the 2026 Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival closes THIS FRIDAY, 8/28.

Down to the final spots! Click on the registration form below to see if your car is a fit before we lock in the lineup.

🔗https://pci.jotform.com/form/251905436924158

Please click the link to complete this form.

08/25/2026

Happy Friday! 🏁

We are officially ONE MONTH away from the 33rd Annual 2026 Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival! As we gear up for another unforgettable year celebrating Watkin Glen's rich racing heritage, let’s take a look back at last year’s incredible turnout! 🏎️💨

🚨 Drivers, don't wait! Registration closes Friday, August 28th, and only a few events still have open spots. If you want to showcase your ride or hit the historic circuit, secure your spot before it’s too late!

🔗 Register today: https://pci.jotform.com/form/251905436924158