Vintage car exhibitions in St. Petersburg: where to see legends of the automotive industry in

St. Petersburg is one of the few cities in Russia where vintage car culture is alive and well. Exhibitions are regularly held here, where you can see not only Soviet rarities like GAZ-21 "Volga" or ZIL-111, but also foreign legends: from American muscle cars Ford Mustang 1967 to European masterpieces Mercedes-Benz 300SL. More than a dozen events are planned in the city in 2026, from intimate shows in hangars to large-scale open-air festivals.

But how not to get lost in this diversity? The main problem of visitors — lack of up-to-date information about dates, prices and conditions of participation. Many exhibitions are held behind closed doors or require advance registration, and some rare specimens are shown for only 1-2 days a year. In this guide we have collected all current retro car exhibitions in St. Petersburg for 2026, including insider tips on how to get there, what to see and how to save on tickets.

Top 5 retro car exhibitions in St. Petersburg in 2026

If you only plan to attend one event, choose from this ranking. We have selected the most spectacular and information-rich events, where you can not only take photos against the backdrop of rarities, but also chat with their owners, learn the history of restoration and even ride some models.

• 🏆 Retro Auto Show SPb — the largest exhibition in the Northern capital (April, Leningrad Expoforum). More than 200 exhibits, including unique ones Victory with a convertible body and Chevrolet Bel Air 1957.
• 🚗 Soviet Automotive Industry Day (May, Park of the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg). Only domestic models - from GAZ-AA (“one and a half truck”) up to VAZ-2103 "Zhiguli" in perfect condition.
• 🎭 Vintage Motor Festival (June, Peter and Paul Fortress). Not only cars, but also retro fashion, 60s music and restoration workshops.
• 🔧 Technical retro salon (September, Central Exhibition Hall "Manege"). Emphasis on engineering solutions: here they will show how carburetors are designed Webber and gearboxes ZF 50s.
• 🎅 New Year's retro parade (December, Palace Square). The only winter exhibition with illumination, where cars are decorated as they were 100 years ago - with garlands and candles.

In 2026, the “Retro Electric Cars” exhibition will be held for the first time, where the first production electric cars of the early 20th century will be presented, including Baker Electric 1912 and Detroit Electric 1914. The event is scheduled for October in Museum of Urban Electric Transport.

How to buy a ticket cheaper: life hacks and discounts

Ticket prices range from 500 to 3,000 rubles, but there are ways to save money. For example, on Retro Auto Show SPb There is a 30% discount when purchasing online a week before the event. And on Day of the Soviet Automotive Industry free entry for owners of vintage cars (upon presentation of the title of a car over 30 years old).

A few more proven methods:

• 🎟️ Buy family tickets (for 2 adults + 2 children) - they are 15-20% cheaper. Relevant for exhibitions in Central Exhibition Hall "Manege" and Leningrad Expoforum.
• 👨💼 Some events (for example, Technical retro salon) offer corporate rates for groups of 10 people or more. Gather some company!
• 📱 Follow promotions in Telegram-organizers' channels. They often give away free tickets for reposting or participating in surveys.
• 🚶‍♂️ Come during the last opening hours - 1-2 hours before closing, tickets can be sold at a discount of up to 50%.

⚠️ Attention: At some exhibitions (for example, Vintage Motor Festival) valid dress code. Entering in stylized clothing from the 50s to 70s can get you a 10% discount or access to the VIP area.

Exhibition	Ticket price (RUB)	Discounts and bonuses
Retro Auto Show SPb	1,500 (online), 2,000 (checkout)	−30% when purchasing within a week, free for children under 7 years old
Soviet Automotive Industry Day	800 (standard), 500 (preferential)	Free for owners of vintage cars over 30 years old
Vintage Motor Festival	2,500 (1 day), 4,000 (2 days)	−10% for retro clothing, −20% for students
Technical retro salon	1,200 (adult), 600 (schoolchild)	Corporate groups from 10 people. −15%

What you can do at exhibitions: photos, test drives, master classes

Many visitors mistakenly think that retro exhibitions are only for viewing. Actually most events offer interactivity:

• 📸 Photo sessions with cars (at some exhibitions you can rent a professional photographer for a fee).
• 🚗 Test drives (for example, on Retro Auto Show SPb you can ride on Volga GAZ-24 or Moskviche-412 along a special route).
• 🔧 Master classes for body restoration, “retro” painting or carburetor adjustment.
• 🎤 Lectures by auto industry historians (on Technical retro salon they'll tell you how they collected it ZIM in secret factories).

The most unusual experience — participation in retro rally, which takes place within Vintage Motor Festival. Participants in classic cars drive along the historical routes of St. Petersburg (for example, from St. Isaac's Cathedral up to Peterhof), and spectators can join the column on bicycles or retro motorcycles.

A camera with good optics (for shooting in hangars)

Phone charger (many exhibitions last 5+ hours)

Cash (some owners sell souvenirs only for cash)

Comfortable shoes (the areas are large, you will have to walk a lot)

Notepad (to write down contacts of restorers and spare parts sellers) -->

Where else can you see retro cars in St. Petersburg besides exhibitions?

If you missed the exhibition or want to see rarities any day, there are permanent locations in the city:

• 🏛️ Museum of retro cars "Garage" (st. Optikov, 4) - more than 50 exhibits, from Ford T 1927 up to Lada VAZ-2101 1970. Ticket: 600 rub.
• 🚂 Railway Museum (Warsaw station) - there are not only trains here, but also vintage cars that were transported by rail.
• 🍽️ Restaurant "Retro Cafe" (Nevsky pr., 50) - standing in the hall ZIM and Victory, and on weekends they organize mini-exhibitions.
• 🛒 Car market "Lenexpo" (Vyborg highway, 212) - retro cars in working condition are sometimes sold here (prices from 200,000 rubles).

Secret place: on site Pulkovo Airport Hangar No. 3 houses a collection of retro cars belonging to a private club. They are allowed there only by appointment (contacts can be found in the group vk.com/retrospb).

How to arrange a private viewing of a vintage car?

Many owners of rare cars agree to show them in the garage for a nominal fee (500-1,000 rubles) or even for free if you bring with you the spare parts that they lack for restoration. Look for such offers in thematic Telegram chats (for example, @retrocarspb) or on the forum retro-auto.ru.

Rules of conduct at exhibitions: do's and don'ts

Retro cars are not just exhibits, but personal pride of the owners, many of which spent years on restoration. Therefore, strict rules apply here:

• 🚫 Don't touch cars without permission — even a light touch can damage the paintwork.
• 📵 Don't use flash when photographing, it spoils old chrome parts.
• 🍔 Do not eat or drink near exhibits - at some exhibitions you can be kicked out for this without refunding your ticket.
• 👶 Hold the children's hand - on Technical retro salon There are exposed motors and sharp parts.

If you want get behind the wheel or open the hood, be sure to ask permission from the owner or organizers. On Retro Auto Show SPb They charge a separate fee for this (300-500 rubles per car), but you will receive gloves and instructions on how not to damage the interior.

⚠️ Attention: They often work at exhibitions "black" photographers, who offer to take a photo in front of the car, and then demand payment 2-3 times higher than advertised. Official photo zones are always marked with signs with prices!

How to get to exhibitions: maps, parking, public transport

Most events take place in the center or on the outskirts of the city, so it is important to plan your route in advance. For example, before Leningrad Expoforum The most convenient way is to take the metro to the station Treadmill, and before 300th anniversary park — by bus number 10 from m. Moskovskaya.

If you are using your own car, consider:

• 🅿️ On Retro Auto Show SPb and Vintage Motor Festival valid free parking for retro cars (cars over 20 years old).
• 🚗 For modern cars, parking is paid (200-400 rubles/hour), but you can park for free within a 10-15 minute walk (for example, at Shopping center "Continent" next to Expoforum).
• 🚇 On Day of the Soviet Automotive Industry in 300th anniversary park there is a free shuttle from m. Kupchino.

The most difficult to transport — Technical retro salon in Central Exhibition Hall "Manege". It's better to come here by metro (m. Admiralteyskaya) or take a taxi (convenient drop-off from the side Isaac's Square).

Photo reports and videos from past exhibitions: what to expect in 2026

To understand whether the event is worth going to, look at how it was held in previous years. For example, on Retro Auto Show SPb 2023 was presented:

• 🎥 Unique Packard Twelve 1939 - one of two preserved in Russia.
• 🔥 Retro motorcycle race on the mini-track inside the pavilion.
• 🎨 Artist painting portraits of visitors in retro poster style (free for children).

In 2026, the organizers promise even more interactivity:

• 🎮 Retro car driving simulator (with steering wheel and pedals, like in Volga GAZ-21).
• 📽️ Film screenings Soviet films about cars ("Beware of the car", "Garage").
• 🛠️ Auction of spare parts — you can buy original parts for restoration (for example, headlights from ZIM or steering wheel from Moskvich-408).

Photos and videos from previous years can be found:

• In a group vk.com/retrospb (albums marked “Archive”).
• On YouTube channel @AutoRetroTV (full broadcasts of exhibitions are available).
• On Instagram using hashtag #retroautospb.

💡

If you plan to buy spare parts at an auction, come early - the rarest lots (for example, original nameplates GAZ-13 "Chaika") are sorted out in the first 30 minutes.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about retro exhibitions in St. Petersburg

Can I bring my vintage car to the exhibition?

Yes, but you need to register as a participant in advance. At most events it is free, but you are required to provide a photo of the car and documents confirming its age (PTS or expert opinion). On Vintage Motor Festival There will be prizes for participants in the categories “Best Restoration” and “Rarest Specimen”.

Are there age restrictions for visitors?

No, the exhibitions are open to everyone, but children under 12 years of age are advised to attend events with an adult. On Technical retro salon There are areas with open mechanisms where children under 10 years old are allowed only under supervision.

Is it possible to buy a vintage car at an exhibition?

Yes, some owners put their cars up for sale. Prices range from RUB 150,000. for Zaporozhets ZAZ-965 in good condition up to 10+ million rubles. for rare Mercedes-Benz 300SL or Jaguar E-Type. On Retro Auto Show SPb There is a special bidding area where you can negotiate a deal with notarization on the spot.

What to do if there are no tickets at the box office for an exhibition?

Try buying a ticket from official partners (their list is usually published on the event’s social networks) or on services like Kassir.ru. Sometimes organizers reserve 10-15% of tickets for sale on the day of the event - come 1-2 hours before opening. On Day of the Soviet Automotive Industry in 2023, everyone could enter for free after 16:00.

Is it possible to take pets with you?

Animals are not allowed at most shows except guide dogs. Exception - Vintage Motor Festival, where small dogs are allowed to be carried (but not in the exhibit area). In any case, check the rules with the organizers in advance.