Daytona Turkey Run 2027: Spring Dates and Thanksgiving Timing
Picture the infield of Daytona International Speedway covered in classic cars, parts stalls and people on the hunt for that one hard-to-find piece. That is the Daytona Turkey Run, and it happens twice a year.
There are two editions. The spring edition is listed for March 26 to 28, 2027, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm each day at Daytona International Speedway, 1801 W International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, according to the Daytona Beach visitor listing, which calls it the 37th annual spring event. The Thanksgiving-weekend edition is the original: the 53rd annual is set for November 25 to 29, 2026, according to the event's website. No Thanksgiving dates for 2027 have been announced. The event has centred on Thanksgiving weekend, so expect it around then and wait for the organiser to confirm, instead of booking on a guess.
What is there? According to the organiser's website, the event has show cars (more than 5,000 collector cars, from the 1920s to classic American muscle), a swap meet (over 2,000 vendors for parts, accessories and memorabilia), a Car Corral for buying and selling cars, held in spring and fall with over 1,500 sellers and buyers, and Artisan Alley, with more than 30 handmade-goods vendors. The spring event also lists a Hops & Hoods beer festival. One detail that surprises people: the site says the show cars have no classes or awards. So this is a show for looking, buying and selling, not a judged competition.
Who does it suit? Restorers and builders hunting for parts. Buyers and sellers who prefer a field full of cars with price signs on them. Families who want a day of walking among classic cars. And owners who want to show their car without the pressure of a judged class. The event is billed as the largest combined classic car show and swap meet in the United States, which is the organiser's own description.
How should you plan? Decide which edition suits you. Spring is a cooler, shorter visit that fits neatly into a Florida trip, while Thanksgiving weekend adds family time and crowds. Check the gate hours on the official site, because they differ by day. Lodging in the Daytona Beach area fills up, especially around a holiday, and the organiser's site has a hotels page. If you want to show a car, contact the show-car team through the website; the website gives contact details but no step-by-step entry process.
Tips for first-timers. Wear good shoes and bring a wagon or cart if you plan to buy parts, because swap meet finds get heavy fast. Bring cash in small bills for vendors, a tape measure, and photos or part numbers of what you need. Walk the whole swap meet once before you buy anything, then go back for the best finds. Take sun protection: an infield is open ground. And plan your exit, since traffic after a big day can be slow.
Interested in other big swap meets? Carlisle, Pennsylvania runs a whole season of them: see /discover/blog/carlisle-car-shows-2027. Looking for a winter auction nearby? See /discover/blog/mecum-kissimmee-2027, and for a concours in the same part of Florida, see /discover/blog/amelia-concours-2027.
It helps to decide in advance what you want from the day. If you are hunting for parts, go early, because the best pieces tend to go first, and have a list of part numbers, measurements and photographs in your phone. If you are shopping for a car, walk the Car Corral first to compare prices before you speak to anyone, and ask for service records and documentation. If you are just there to enjoy the cars, take your time, because with thousands of cars on display it is easy to miss sections. Wear layers, since an open speedway infield can feel warm in the sun and cool in the shade or wind.
Running your own show or swap meet? Car Show Expert handles registration, check-in and judging, and it is just as useful for a small cruise-in as for a large event. Create a free account at /sign-up or try the demo at /demo.
Dates, hours and prices are as announced or listed at time of writing and can change. Confirm with the Daytona Turkey Run before you travel.