October 2026 Motorsports Events: What to See at Racetracks, Auto Shows, and Museums

Do you know why October is one of the best months for motorsports enthusiasts? The summer heat is behind us, the days are still long enough for a weekend getaway, and the calendar is packed with events that you’d be hard-pressed to find all in one place during the rest of the year.

It’s the month when many championships reach their final stages and titles are decided in the last race. It’s also the month of classic cars: reenactments, rallies, and major auto shows bring cars—that you usually only see in photographs—out onto the streets and into exhibition halls. Meanwhile, museums and racetracks open their doors even to those who have never set foot in a paddock.

In this regard, Motor Valley has the home-field advantage. The distances between Maranello, Modena, Imola, and Bologna are measured in half-hours, and in a single weekend you can go from the roar of a racetrack to the silence of a museum gallery, stopping for lunch at a trattoria where passing race car drivers have been regulars for generations.

We’ve selected the October events that, in our opinion, are truly worth the trip. For each one, we’ll tell you what to expect, how far it is from Maranello, and who it’s best suited for—whether you’re a longtime fan, a family with a young car enthusiast to please, or a group looking for a unique weekend getaway.

Italian Historic Grand Prix

Where: Mugello Circuit, Scarperia and San Piero (FI), about 140 km from Maranello
When: October 2–4, 2026

If you grew up with Schumacher’s Ferrari, this weekend is for you. The first edition of the Italian Historic Grand Prix pays tribute to the decade from 1996 to 2006—the period during which Michael Schumacher won five drivers’ championships with Scuderia Ferrari—on the Tuscan circuit owned by the Maranello-based automaker.

More than 200 historic race cars are expected on the track, including dozens of Formula 1 single-seaters that competed between the 1960s and the early 2000s. The great thing is that the ticket grants access to both the grandstands and the paddock, so you can see the cars up close—not just as they zoom by.

Schedule and tickets are available on the Mugello Circuit website

Motori & Sapori 2026

Where: historic center of Castelfranco Emilia (MO), about 30 km from Maranello
When: Sunday, October 4, 2026

A classic car gathering in the center of Castelfranco Emilia, featuring car exhibits and tastings from local producers. It’s one of those days when a passion for cars and a love for Emilian cuisine come together naturally.

It’s perfect for the whole family, even for those at home who aren’t true car enthusiasts: you can stroll around, look at the cars, and sample the food. And it’s just a half-hour drive from Maranello.

Read the event details

Modena Cento Ore

Where: from Riccione to Modena, with stops in Misano, Imola, Florence, Mugello, and Forte dei Marmi
When: October 6–11, 2026 (arrival in Modena scheduled for Saturday, October 10)

Only 100 cars are admitted—including pre-war classics and legendary motorsport icons—for five days of competition featuring special stages on roads closed to traffic and sessions at the Misano, Imola, and Mugello circuits. This year’s route is a true “coast-to-coast” journey: it starts on the Adriatic coast, crosses the Apennines, passes through Florence and the Tyrrhenian coast before returning to the heart of Motor Valley.

If you can’t follow the entire route, there are two highlights you’ll want to mark on your calendar: the stop at the Imola Circuit on Thursday, October 8, and the final arrival in Modena, with the awards ceremony in Piazza Roma. Seeing these cars parade through the city center among the historic buildings is worth the trip all on its own.

Full schedule on the Modena Cento Ore website

ACI Racing Weekend

Where: Monza National Circuit (MB), about 200 km from Maranello
When: October 9–11, 2026

The second ACI Racing Weekend of the year brings the best of Italian motorsports to the “Temple of Speed”: the Italian GT Sprint Championship, the Italian Sport Prototype Championship, the E4 Championship, GT4 Italy, and the Italian Historic Car Championship.

It’s a weekend of real racing, with many different categories on the track and the charm of Monza all around. It’s ideal if you want to experience the atmosphere of a historic racetrack away from the crowds of major international events.

Schedule and tickets on the Monza Autodrome website

Imola Classic

Where: Enzo and Dino Ferrari International Raceway, Imola (BO), about 85 km from Maranello
When: October 16–18, 2026

Organized by Peter Auto and now in its sixth year, the Imola Classic celebrates the cars that have shaped the history of endurance racing. These are cars built to endure hour after hour on the track, and hearing them roar around a circuit like Imola again is an experience that’s hard to put into words.

It’s about an hour’s drive from Maranello: you can easily plan a weekend that combines a day at the racetrack with a visit to one of Enzo Ferrari’s sites.

For information and tickets, visit the Imola Autodrome website

Evening Open House at the Imola Racetrack

Where: Enzo and Dino Ferrari International Raceway, Imola (BO), about 85 km from Maranello
When: Monday, October 19, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Walking on the asphalt of a racetrack that has hosted Formula 1 races is a simple experience, but one that leaves a lasting impression, especially on children. During open house days, admission to the track is free through the gate below the tower in Piazza Ayrton Senna da Silva.

This entrance is reserved for pedestrians. Please note that dates and times may change depending on track activities, so it’s best to check the day before.

Open Day schedule on the Imola Autodrome website

Lamborghini World Finals

Where: Autodromo Nazionale Monza (MB), approximately 200 km from Maranello
When: October 22–25, 2026 (official testing on October 19 and 20)

For the first time, the Lamborghini World Finals are coming to Monza. This event marks the season finale for the Sant’Agata Bolognese-based automaker’s one-make series, with drivers from around the world gathering to compete for the titles.

An opportunity to discover the other great icon of Motor Valley—the Toro—during a weekend that’s hard to beat for supercar enthusiasts.

Program available on the Monza Autodrome website

Classic Cars and Motorcycles

Where: BolognaFiere, Bologna, about 55 km from Maranello
When: October 22–25, 2026

Listen: if you can only choose one event in October, this is probably the one. Auto e Moto d’Epoca is Europe’s largest show dedicated to classic cars and motorcycles, featuring thousands of cars and motorcycles on display or for sale, brand-specific clubs, restorers, and visitors from dozens of countries.

This year’s theme is “Icons of Speed,” an exhibition dedicated to legendary endurance race cars. Sunday, October 25, is also European Corvette Day Italy. The show is large, so it’s worth setting aside at least a full day for it—and perhaps staying overnight in the area for the next day.

Schedule and tickets on the official Auto e Moto d’Epoca website

Italian GT Endurance Championship, Final Round

Where: Mugello Circuit, Scarperia and San Piero (FI), about 140 km from Maranello
When: October 30–November 1, 2026

This is the weekend that wraps up the Italian Gran Turismo Championship season: GT cars compete over long distances, and the championships are decided here, on the undulating Mugello circuit.

It falls during the All Saints’ Day long weekend, so it’s a great excuse for a long weekend in Tuscany and Emilia.

Event calendar on the Mugello Circuit website

Monsterland Halloween Festival

Where: Enzo and Dino Ferrari International Racetrack, Imola (BO), about 85 km from Maranello
When: Saturday, October 31, 2026

It’s not a motorsports event in the strict sense, but it brings families into one of Italy’s most famous racetracks for Halloween night. It’s back for its second year and wraps up the circuit’s October schedule.

If you have a racing fan in the family and kids to entertain, it’s a unique way to experience the racetrack.

Upcoming events on the Imola Circuit website

6 Ruote di Speranza

Where: Autodromo Nazionale Monza (MB), about 200 km from Maranello
When: Saturday, October 31, 2026

A nonprofit event that has been combining motorsports, socializing, and charity for decades, organized by the UILDM (Italian Union for the Fight Against Muscular Dystrophy), “Giovanni Bergna” chapter.

It’s one of those events that reminds us what the passion for cars is really all about: sharing a thrill with those who need it most.

Information on the Monza Raceway website

All month long: “The Greatest Hits” at the Enzo Ferrari Museum

Where: Enzo Ferrari Museum, Modena, about 20 km from Maranello
When: Throughout October (the exhibition runs through February 16, 2027)

If you’re in the area, a visit to the museum is practically a must. The exhibition “The Greatest Hits – Music Legends and Their Ferraris” explores the connection between Ferrari and music through cars that belonged to world-famous musicians and artists, such as Nick Mason of Pink Floyd’s 250 GTO.

The tour is accompanied by exclusive audio content curated by Chora Media, featuring the voice of Federico Buffa, who shares never-before-heard anecdotes about these artists and their cars. This experience is designed even for those who know little about cars, and the Ferrari Museum in Maranello is just a few minutes’ drive away.

Ferrari Museums Event Calendar and Tickets