22nd CLASSIC-GALA SCHWETZINGEN featuring swing, dance, and vintage flair
Classic car event in late August: 22nd International Concours d’Elegance Automobile with ASC-Classic-Gala Schwetzingen – the Classic-Gala Schwetzingen blends culture, music, fashion, lifestyle, and fine living into a delightful summer experience
August 28–30, 2026, Schwetzingen Palace – further information: www.classic-gala.de (NEDERLANDS, ITALIANO, ENGLISH, DEUTSCH, FRANÇAIS)
Schwetzingen Palace. Classic car enthusiasts are already looking forward to the last weekend of August, when the 22nd ASC Classic-Gala Schwetzingen takes place. This is more than just a classic car meet! From August 28 to 30, 2026, the Baroque palace gardens of Schwetzingen will host the internationally acclaimed Concours d’Elegance, bringing over 180 classic automobiles spanning more than a century of automotive history to the region. In late August, the 22nd International Concours d’Elegance ASC-Classic-Gala Schwetzingen will become a mecca for classic car lovers in southwest Germany. FIVA, the world federation for historic vehicles, is sending a 30-member expert jury to award prizes to the best and most authentic classic cars during the afternoon awards ceremony on Sunday, August 30, 2026. The most long-standing Swabian Concours d’Elegance Automobile, held in this historic Baroque garden, is an unforgettable experience every year. For the price of standard admission to the palace gardens, visitors can also enjoy a gala featuring fashion, music, art, lifestyle, accessories, and a wide range of culinary offerings.
 |
| Some of the classic cars from the 2026 Baden-Baden Classic Car Meeting (see our blog for impressions from Baden-Baden, July 2026 :)) will surely make their way to Schwetzingen, too! Press photo archive: Helga Waess. |
From the arts and culture blog covering the classic cars:
Which highlights are coming to Schwetzingen in 2026? ... Maserati celebrates its brand's 100th anniversary, Dino Ferrari is commemorated, and the "King of Coachbuilding" is also represented — the 22nd ASC Classic Gala Schwetzingen, featuring various events and over 160 classic cars from around 50 brands.
Highlights and Special Exhibitions 2026
*100 anni di Maserati*: A celebration of 100 years of automotive history and racing heritage from the Maserati brand.
90 Years of the BMW 328: A showcase of the legendary sports car.
*Passione Dino*: A special exhibition dedicated to historic Ferrari Dino models.
*Héritage Peugeot*: A tribute to the French brand's history. International jury and awards for the rarest custom-bodied cars.
Over 160 Classic Cars from Around 50 Brands
Participants include well-known brand clubs—such as those for Adler, Alfa, Ford, Jaguar, Mercedes, MG, NSU, and Rolls-Royce—as well as regional classic car clubs and individual vehicles with unique histories. In total, around 160 classic automobiles will be displayed amidst the incomparable setting of the Schwetzingen Palace Gardens.
 |
| Classic Car Meeting in Baden-Baden 2026, press photo archive: Helga Waess |
A social event for automotive enthusiasts that appeals to all the senses
The diverse supporting program of the Classic-Gala Schwetzingen combines culture, music, fashion, lifestyle, and culinary delights into a summery experience set against the unique backdrop of Schwetzingen Palace.
An outstanding program of events awaits visitors:
Saturday, August 29, at 3:00 PM
"Vintage Dress Up & Dance" show featuring Laney’s Swing Trio
With swing music, dance, and vintage flair, the event explicitly invites guests to dress in period fashion themselves and become part of the special atmosphere.
Live jazz, Elvis, rock 'n' roll, and square dancing provide additional entertainment.
Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 AM
The art exhibition in the South Wing is showcased in spectacular style with star tenor Thomas Kiessling.
International exhibitors present lifestyle products
ranging from Italian leather jackets and high-quality travel bags to British country fashion and American petticoats, as well as elegant French women's hats.
On the culinary front, a new dining concept offers something for every taste:
- VIP area with live sushi and oysters
- US-style cuisine featuring pulled pork
- an Italian-style bar
- Alsatian *Flammkuchen* (tarte flambée)
- and numerous other specialties.
This makes Schwetzingen the perfect destination for vintage car enthusiasts and visitors from across Europe on the last weekend of August.
And there is plenty of inspiration for future travels, too:
- The world of Villeroy & Boch, featuring a photo spot,
- Victor’s Hotels, offering a taste of Portuguese holiday flair,
- The Castle Road (Burgenstraße) and the city of Schwetzingen, presenting themselves as tourism partners and sparking a desire for new discoveries.
The new poster for the ASC Classic-Gala Schwetzingen by automotive designer Hideo Kodama
This year, the former Opel stylist showcases the 1960 Maserati 3500 GT, the 1936 BMW 328, and the Fiat Dino Spider—all representing the special themes of the 22nd International Concours d’Elegance—using his signature watercolor rendering technique.
Hideo Kodama also serves as an honorary juror among the panel of over 30 experts evaluating the exhibits at the 22nd ASC Classic-Gala Schwetzingen according to the criteria of the global federation, FIVA.
 |
| Vintage car meeting in Baden-Baden 2026; press photo archive: Helga Waess |
Posthumous award: Honorary medal for retired Senior Government Director Andreas Falz
Hans Hedtke, the long-standing curator of the Classic-Gala Schwetzingen—who sadly passed away in March 2026, to the deep sorrow of his family and friends—took special pleasure in looking after the exhibits and the car enthusiasts who contribute to the unique atmosphere of the Concours d’Elegance in the Schwetzingen Palace Gardens. Before his death, he established the "Hans Hedtke Medal" to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the spirit of the Classic-Gala. As the first recipient of this medal, Hans Hedtke nominated the long-serving administrator of the palace, retired Senior Government Director... ...Andreas Falz, who is being presented with this award by the organizer during the press conference on August 18, 2026, "in recognition of his special contribution to the success and prestige of Classic-Gala Schwetzingen."
Without Andreas Falz (Senior Government Official, retired), the Concours d’Elegance in Schwetzingen would never have come into existence; he campaigned for the necessary permits starting in 1995 until the event could finally take place for the first time in July 2001—an event he has continued to support and champion ever since.
Figures and further information
– Organizer's press release: www.classic-gala.de
