AmeriCARna is more than just a car show, it’s a four-day festival that takes over the region from 25-28 February 2026. Whether you’re a petrolhead, a family looking for entertainment, or just someone who loves a good street party, the week is packed with action.
With so much packed into the Americarna agenda that week, it can be hard to pick where to go. Here’s our “Top 10” guide to the must-do experiences, featuring the best vantage points, the hidden gems and the unique heritage rail adventures running alongside the convoy.
1. Hit the Beach at Opunake (Wednesday, 25 Feb)
The festival kicks off with a cruise to South Taranaki’s favourite surf town. For families, Opunake Beach is the perfect vantage point. While the cars are the stars, you can make a full day of it – take the kids to the playground, cool off in the pool, or grab fish and chips in the township. It’s a relaxed way to ease into the festival before the high-octane days follow.
2. Party in the Streets: Waitara & Inglewood (Thursday, 26 Feb)
On Thursday, the convoy splits its time between North and Central Taranaki.
- Waitara: Catch the cars locally as they cruise through town in the morning.
- Inglewood: In the afternoon, Inglewood throws one of the best street parties of the week. The locals turn it on with live entertainment, food stalls, and kids’ activities. It is a great spot to walk around the parked cars and chat with the owners in a relaxed setting.
3. Ride the “Americarna Cruiser” to Hāwera (Friday, 27 Feb)
On Friday, the massive convoy heads south. Instead of driving, take the ultimate vantage point aboard Steam Incorporated’s “big red train”. Hauled by 1950s Da Class locomotives, the train departs the Wind Wand at 10:05am, trailing the convoy of roaring, chrome-clad classic cars down the line. It’s a chance to see the region from a completely different perspective.
4. Feel the Noise: The Acceleration Display (Friday, 27 Feb)
If you love noise and smoke, this is one of the main events. Located in Hāwera, the Acceleration Display sees muscle cars go head-to-head in a test of raw power.
- Local Tip: You can book the “Need for Speed” rail package ($99pp), which drops you in Hāwera specifically for this event and gets you back to New Plymouth in time for the night cruise.
5. The Ultimate Gin Experience: Fenton St Arts Collective (Friday, 27 Feb)
Gather your friends for the most sophisticated day out of the festival. As part of the “Refuel & Refresh” rail package ($159pp), you can take the heritage train to Stratford for an exclusive experience at the Fenton St Arts Collective.
- The Experience: Enjoy a curated gin tasting and lunch at this gallery, cafe and distillery. Afterwards, a bus transfers you to Hāwera to catch the end of the car action before the train ride home.
6. Step Back in Time: Tawhiti Museum (Friday, 27 Feb)
For history buffs, the “Echoes of the Past” rail package ($139pp) is a must-do. You’ll take the train to Hāwera and transfer to the world-class Tawhiti Museum. Famous for its life-size exhibits and scale models created by Nigel Ogle, it’s widely acclaimed as one of the most innovative museums in New Zealand.
7. Friday Night Cruise in the CBD (Friday, 27 Feb)
Friday night in New Plymouth is a must-see. The cars return to the city for the “Night Cruise,” looping through the CBD.
- Local Tip: Gather your friends and book a table early at a restaurant or bar on Devon Street. There’s nothing quite like enjoying dinner and drinks while the V8s rumble past your table just metres away, but tables book up fast!
8. Browse the Metal: AmeriCARnival (Saturday, 28 Feb)
The grand finale takes over the CBD from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Devon Street is closed to traffic and lined with hundreds of glistening American machines.
- New for 2026: Don’t miss the Tractor Edition showcase. Following the success of the trucks last year, this year features a lineup of vintage and modern American farm machinery (John Deere, Case, Caterpillar) that will fascinate machinery lovers.
9. Action Stations: Family Fun at Puke Ariki (Saturday, 28 Feb)
While the cars are parked up, Puke Ariki Landing becomes the hub for family entertainment.
- Rescue Exhibition: Head inside Puke Ariki to experience the interactive Rescue exhibition, where kids can pilot a virtual helicopter and crawl through smoke-filled rooms.
- Outdoor Action: Watch the Timber Sports wood-chopping competition featuring world champion Jack Jordan, let the kids race at the Taranaki Radio Control Car Club track, and look up at 12:00pm for the RNZAF Air Force flyover.
10. Escape the Crowds: Saturday Rail Adventures (Saturday, 28 Feb)
Saturday is the only day you can take a short 1-hour heritage rail journey right from the Wind Wand.
- Lepperton Shuttles: Perfect for families, these round trips depart at 10:10am, 11:15am, 12:20pm and 1:25pm. It’s a “bite sized” adventure that fits perfectly around the carnival.
- The Stratford Express: To escape the city for the afternoon, jump on the 2:30pm service. This longer journey winds through the suburbs to Stratford, giving you 40 minutes to explore the heritage station before returning.
Bookings for all train experiences are essential. Visit www.steaminc.org.nz or call 0800 783 264 to secure your seats.
