Sywell Classic: Pistons & Props

If your family’s idea of a good weekend involves something loud, shiny and slightly nostalgic, I think I’ve found it. Sywell Classic: Pistons & Props is landing back at Sywell Aerodrome on 26th and 27th September 2026, bringing classic cars, vintage motorbikes and aerial displays together for a proper two-day spectacle. It’s the kind of event where the grown-ups get to reminisce about cars they definitely didn’t own and the kids get to watch things fly, race and generally show off, so everyone comes away happy.

What’s on at Sywell Classic

This one’s got a lot packed into a weekend. On the ground, there’s the Racing Runway, with around 75 historic racing cars, hot rods and motorcycles putting on high-octane motorsport throughout the two days. The Street Car Shootout, hosted by Rodfathers UK, returns after a popular showing last year, and there’s Pole Position Parking if you fancy bringing your own classic along to be part of the display.

Up in the air, there are aerial acrobatics across the weekend, along with a display from classic, vintage and modern aircraft as part of “The High Flyers.” Keep an eye out for the Oklahoma Willy Jet Bus too – a 1958 VW pickup rebuilt with a jet engine, which tears down the Sywell airstrip on both days.

For the kids, there’s a vintage funfair on site, and live music running across the weekend to keep the atmosphere going between the displays. There’s also a Best Dressed Awards if anyone in your family fancies dressing for the occasion.

Tickets and prices

Advance single day adult tickets are £20, and under-15s go free. Advance tickets are taken off sale on the Thursday before the event, after which tickets go up to £25 on the gate, so it’s worth booking ahead if you can. Gates open at 10am both days, and car parking is free.

If you fancy making a full weekend of it, camping packages are also available, with family weekend camping (3 adults) priced at £170 in advance. Camping tickets include entry to the event for the whole weekend, and pitches are 8m x 8m with toilet and shower facilities on site.

A few practical notes before you book:

• All advance tickets are taken off sale on the Thursday afternoon before the event.
• If paying on the gate, it’s worth bringing cash, as card signal on site is limited.
• Electric hook-ups aren’t available for camping, though purpose-built LPG or diesel generators are allowed.

You can book your tickets through the Sywell Classic website here.

Make a weekend of it

If you want to stretch the visit into a bigger day out, Sywell Country Park is only a short drive away and makes a lovely spot to let the kids burn off some extra energy either before or after the show. My Sywell Country Park guide has everything you need to know, from the play areas to the café.

For more ideas of family days out across the county, my Things To Do In Northamptonshire guide is a good place to start too.

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The details listed in this guide are run by third-party organisers, and all details were correct at the time of publication, based on information from their official websites. However, changes or cancellations can happen at short notice. To avoid any disappointment, we recommend double-checking the event information on the official websites before making plans.