Every October, Hershey, Pennsylvania, transforms into one of the most exciting destinations in the entire automotive world. Fields that surround a famous chocolate town fill with row after row of antique vehicles, vintage parts, and thousands of car enthusiasts from every corner of the globe. For four days, nothing else matters except the roar of old engines, the smell of motor oil, and the thrill of finding that one impossible-to-source part you have been hunting for years.
The 2026 edition is shaping up to be one for the history books. Here is everything you need to know before you go.
Event Overview at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Event Name | AACA Eastern Division National Fall Meet |
| Common Name | Hershey Car Show and Swap Meet |
| Dates | October 6 to 9, 2026 |
| Venue | Grounds surrounding Hersheypark and The Giant Center, Hershey, PA |
| Organizer | Hershey Region, Antique Automobile Club of America |
| Admission | Free to the public |
| Annual Visitors | More than 250,000 |
| Vendor Spaces | 9,000 plus |
| Cars on Show Field | Approximately 1,300 |
| Cars for Sale in Corral | Approximately 1,000 |
History: How Hershey Became the World’s Greatest Classic Car Gathering
The Hershey Region of the AACA began hosting the Eastern Fall Meet in 1955. What started as a modest local gathering has grown across seven decades into the largest antique automobile show and swap meet in the world. The only year the event did not take place was 2020.
USA TODAY readers have voted the Eastern Fall Meet as one of the top five car shows in the entire country. The AACA Museum in Hershey, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, placed fourth in the same awards for best attractions for car lovers. The dual recognition speaks to something important about this town. Hershey does not just host a car show. It lives and breathes automotive history.
More than 700 volunteers from the Hershey Region work all year, every year, to make the event happen. Their dedication over seven decades has turned what could have remained a regional meet into a global institution that draws collectors, restorers, buyers, and sellers from dozens of countries every autumn.
Dates and Daily Schedule for 2026
The 2026 Eastern Fall Meet runs from Tuesday, October 6, through Friday, October 9, with the judged car show taking place on the final day.
| Date | Key Activities |
| Tuesday, October 6 | Pre-registered flea market and car corral open at 7:00 a.m. On-site car corral registration opens at 9:00 a.m. Show car packet pickup available 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Folder Distribution Tent on Chocolate Field |
| Wednesday, October 7 | Car Corral and Flea Market open 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Show car packet pickup continues 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Evening activities begin at 7:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, October 8 | Car Corral and Flea Market open 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Ladies Luncheon, Talent Show, Old Time Movie Night, and AACA Juniors activities during the day and evening |
| Friday, October 9 | National judging car show held on the show field behind AACA HQ. High Wheeler Contest, Race Car Condition Run, Judging School. All venues close at 3:00 p.m. |
The show runs dawn to dusk each day, with all events held on the grounds surrounding Hersheypark and The Giant Center. Friday is the biggest day for car enthusiasts who want to see vehicles in judged competition, so plan to be there early.
Admission and Tickets
One of the most remarkable things about this event is that general admission is completely free. There is no charge to walk the flea market, browse the Car Corral, or watch the judged car show on Friday. The grounds open at 7:00 a.m. each day, and all areas remain open until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday and until 3:00 p.m. on Friday.
Parking is available west of The Giant Center. The venue is located on the grounds surrounding Hersheypark at 100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033. The town of Hershey is well connected by road from major Pennsylvania cities, including Harrisburg, just 12 miles away.
Some ticketed evening events, such as the Awards Banquet and the Ladies Luncheon, require pre-registration and payment. These are not general admission events. Registration for these activities, along with car show entry and vendor space applications, is managed through the official AACA website at aaca.org and the Hershey Region site at hershey.aaca.com. Summer registration for vendor spaces typically closes in mid-August, so plan well ahead.
The Flea Market: 9,000 Spaces of Automotive Heaven
The flea market is the heartbeat of the event. It runs all four days, opening at 7:00 a.m. and closing at 5:00 p.m. each day. With more than 9,000 vendor spaces spread across multiple fields, it is the largest automotive flea market in the United States and arguably in the world.
Each vendor space measures approximately 10 feet wide by 30 feet deep. The variety on offer is extraordinary. Vendors sell everything from complete automobiles and major mechanical components to small trim pieces, period accessories, vintage license plates, automotive literature, manuals, die-cast models, and automobile-related memorabilia. If a part exists for an antique vehicle, there is a good chance someone at Hershey has it.
All vendors must hold current AACA membership. Flea market spaces are not transferable, and reselling spaces is prohibited. Vendors who have attended for many years often return to the same locations, year after year, creating a community within the event. Some of these long-standing vendors have been in the same spot for over 30 years, which gives Hershey a reunion-like quality that goes far beyond a typical swap meet.
Additionally, the 2026 edition introduces a limited number of flea market spaces available for on-site purchase during the show itself. This is a new initiative by the Hershey Region and offers a last-minute opportunity for vendors who did not apply during the standard registration window.
The Car Corral: Over 1,000 Vehicles for Sale
The Car Corral is where serious buyers come with checkbooks ready. Approximately 1,000 antique vehicles are available for purchase across the corral, which operates all four days of the event.
Vehicles in the Car Corral must be at least 25 years old and must be AACA-recognized makes and models. Every vehicle must be driven onto its space. No trailers, rollbacks, campers, or parts-only displays are permitted in the corral. Street rods are not eligible.
Spaces in the corral measure approximately 10 feet by 20 feet. The event provides a notary public on-site, making it possible to complete a vehicle sale and title transfer without leaving the grounds. A Pennsylvania Sales Tax License is not required to sell vehicles in the Car Corral, which simplifies the process for private sellers.
Car Corral pre-registration operates through the summer, and remaining spaces go on sale on-site starting Tuesday morning. The variety of vehicles available spans decades, from pre-war brass-era automobiles and classic American muscle cars to European sports cars and domestic trucks. Whether you are a first-time buyer or an experienced collector, the Car Corral offers a remarkable range.
The Judged Car Show: Friday, October 9
The judged car show takes place exclusively on Friday, October 9. It is held on the show field behind AACA Headquarters and represents the competitive centerpiece of the entire week.
To enter a vehicle in the show, owners must be AACA members and must have picked up their show car packet from the Folder Distribution Tent during the preceding days. Judging follows the AACA national judging standards, evaluating vehicles for authenticity, condition, and presentation across a range of age classes and categories.
Friday also features the Judging School, which is open to members who want to learn the AACA judging process. The High Wheeler Contest and the Race Car Condition Run are two of the most visually entertaining events of the entire week. The High Wheeler Contest invites pre-1915 vehicles to compete in a traditional format, while the Condition Run allows vintage race cars to demonstrate their mechanical reliability in motion.
Evening Events and Social Activities
The daytime events are only part of what makes the week memorable. Evening activities at Hershey are just as important for the community that returns year after year.
The Talent Show is a beloved tradition that lets enthusiasts share their non-automotive skills with fellow attendees. Old Time Movie Night screens classic automotive films and vintage entertainment. The AACA Juniors program runs events specifically designed for young car enthusiasts, encouraging the next generation to engage with antique automobile culture.
The Ladies Luncheon is a longstanding social event requiring pre-registration. The Awards Banquet on Friday evening recognizes the winners of the national judging competition and brings the week to a formal close.
Additionally, RM Sotheby’s, the official auction partner of the Fall Meet for nearly two decades, holds its Hershey auction during the event week. The RM Sotheby’s auction offers early collector vehicles and award-winning automobiles across a range of price points. For buyers who want a professionally facilitated purchase rather than a private sale, the auction provides a credible and well-attended alternative to the Car Corral.
The AACA Museum: A Must-Visit During Hershey Week
Any visit to Hershey for the Fall Meet should include a stop at the AACA Museum, now officially known as America’s Transportation Experience. Located at 161 Museum Drive in Hershey, the museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.
The museum houses vehicles, motorcycles, and automobile-related exhibits spanning the 1890s to the 1980s. It is also home to the most significant collection of Tucker automobiles and memorabilia in the world. USA TODAY readers voted it the fourth best attraction for car lovers in the country.
Tickets for the AACA Museum are available online at aacamuseum.org. The museum is within easy reach of the main show grounds, making it a natural complement to a full day at the flea market or car show.
Visitor Tips: How to Get the Most from Hershey Week
Arriving prepared makes an enormous difference at an event this size. The following advice comes from experienced Hershey visitors and reflects what matters most.
- Bring cash. Many flea market vendors do not accept cards, and prices are often negotiable.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Walking the 9,000-space flea market across multiple fields covers significant ground, and you will be on your feet all day.
- Arrive early on Tuesday and Wednesday for the best flea market discoveries. Serious collectors and dealers walk the fields from the first hour they open.
- Bring a parts list. The flea market is overwhelming in scale. Knowing exactly what you are looking for before you arrive lets you move efficiently between vendor fields.
- Plan your Friday early. The judged show, High Wheeler Contest, and Condition Run all take place on the final day. Parking fills up quickly, and the fields close at 3:00 p.m.
- Book accommodation well in advance. Hotels in Hershey and the surrounding Harrisburg area fill up months before the event. The town receives more than 250,000 visitors over the four days.
- Register for banquet events early. The Awards Banquet and Ladies Luncheon require pre-registration and have limited spaces.
- Check the Hershey Region website at hershey.aaca.com regularly in the weeks before the event for any schedule updates, parking information, or weather contingency plans.
Conclusion
The 2026 AACA Eastern Division National Fall Meet takes place from October 6 to 9 at the grounds surrounding Hersheypark and The Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. General admission is free for all four days, with the flea market and Car Corral open from 7:00 a.m. each day. More than 9,000 vendor spaces make this the largest automotive swap meet in the world, while approximately 1,000 vehicles fill the Car Corral for buyers in search of their next project or acquisition. The judged car show on Friday, October 9, brings the competitive heart of the event to life, alongside the High Wheeler Contest, Race Car Condition Run, and Judging School. Evening events including the Talent Show, Old Time Movie Night, and the Awards Banquet add community and tradition to what is already a world-class gathering. The RM Sotheby’s auction, the AACA Museum, and seven decades of unbroken tradition complete the picture. Hershey in October is not just a car show. It is the automotive event of the year in America.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the AACA Eastern Fall Meet 2026 take place and where?
The 2026 event runs from Tuesday, October 6, through Friday, October 9, at the grounds surrounding Hersheypark and The Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The address is 100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033. All activities take place across the parking lots and fields of the venue.
Is admission to the Hershey Fall Meet free?
Yes. Admission to all general areas of the Hershey Fall Meet, including the flea market, Car Corral, and car show, is completely free. Some evening events such as the Awards Banquet and Ladies Luncheon require separate pre-registration and payment, but the main show grounds are open to all visitors at no charge.
How do I register as a vendor or enter a car in the flea market?
Flea market vendor registration is managed through the Hershey Region AACA. Pre-registration cards are mailed to existing vendors, and new vendors can apply during the summer registration window, which typically closes in mid-August. All vendors must hold current AACA membership. The registration address is Hershey Region AACA, PO Box 305, Hershey, PA. Limited on-site spaces may also be available in 2026 for the first time.
What kind of vehicles can I find in the Car Corral?
The Car Corral features approximately 1,000 vehicles for sale, all of which must be at least 25 years old and AACA-recognized makes and models. Vehicles span a wide range, including pre-war classics, American muscle cars, European sports cars, vintage trucks, and early collectibles. A notary public is available on-site to facilitate title transfers.
What is the best day to attend if I can only come for one day?
This depends on your goal. Tuesday and Wednesday offer the widest choice of flea market vendors and the best chance of finding rare parts before crowds build. Thursday is often the most relaxed day with strong flea market activity and evening entertainment. Friday is the biggest day for the judged car show, the High Wheeler Contest, and the Race Car Condition Run, but all venues close at 3:00 p.m. and the morning is very busy with show-related activity.
