Magnificent Motors is one of the biggest free motoring shows on the south coast, and a much-loved fixture that kicks off Eastbourne’s events season each spring. Held on the seafront over a bank holiday weekend, it brings hundreds of vintage and classic vehicles — plus funfair rides, live music and a seafront market — to the Western Lawns. Here’s everything you need to know.
What is Magnificent Motors?
Magnificent Motors is an annual celebration of over a century of motoring, and it’s established as one of the biggest free-to-visit motoring spectaculars on the south coast. Staged on Eastbourne’s spacious seafront lawns, it regularly draws more than 600 vehicles a day and thousands of visitors over its two days. For the town it marks the traditional start of the events season — filling hotels and restaurants and giving families a great excuse to get out and enjoy the bank holiday by the sea. It’s organised by Eastbourne Borough Council and is enormously popular with exhibitors, who come from far and wide to show off their pride and joy.
What to see and do
The stars of the show are the vehicles themselves — a wonderfully varied line-up spanning vintage heirlooms, classic coupés and beloved retros through to motorbikes, buses, steam traction engines, commercial and military vehicles, high-performance sports cars, and even the latest in electric-vehicle technology from local dealerships. Many of the cars have fascinating back stories, from film appearances to celebrity owners, and recent years have added a main arena with “star car” showcases and live owner interviews. Beyond the motors, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained: funfair rides, a seafront market, trade stalls, live music, a licensed bar and a good choice of food and drink.
Local tip: the setting is half the fun — the Western Lawns sit right on the promenade opposite the Grand Hotel, so you can combine the show with a stroll along the seafront and lunch or an ice cream by the sea.
When and where it takes place
Magnificent Motors is held over the early-May bank holiday weekend, running across the Saturday and Sunday. It takes place on the Western Lawns and Wish Tower Slopes on Eastbourne’s seafront — the wide green lawns just west of the Wish Tower, opposite the Grand Hotel (around postcode BN21 4UH). Gates typically open from mid-morning until late afternoon each day. As with any annual event, exact dates and opening times can change from year to year, so it’s worth checking the latest details before you set off.
Tickets, getting there and tips
Best of all, Magnificent Motors is free for spectators — one of the many free things to do in Eastbourne. If you’d like to exhibit a vehicle, owners can apply for a pitch for a small daily fee (and receive a commemorative plaque), though places fill quickly and the event is often oversubscribed, so early booking is essential. The seafront is an easy walk from the town centre and railway station; on-street and car-park spaces near the front do get busy over the bank holiday, so arriving early or using public transport is wise — see our guide to getting around Eastbourne.
Magnificent Motors: FAQs
When is Magnificent Motors in Eastbourne?
Magnificent Motors takes place each year over the early-May bank holiday weekend, across the Saturday and Sunday. Exact dates vary from year to year, so it’s best to check the latest listing before you plan your visit.
Is Magnificent Motors free?
Yes — it’s free for spectators, making it a great family day out. Vehicle exhibitors pay a small fee to book a pitch, but there’s no charge to come along and enjoy the display.
Where is Magnificent Motors held?
It’s held on the Western Lawns and Wish Tower Slopes on Eastbourne’s seafront, just west of the Wish Tower and opposite the Grand Hotel. The lawns are an easy walk from the town centre and railway station.
What vehicles are on display?
Expect more than 600 vehicles spanning a century of motoring — vintage and classic cars, motorbikes, buses, steam traction engines, commercial and military vehicles, sports cars and modern EVs, alongside funfair rides, a market, live music and food stalls.
More of what’s on: see what’s on in Eastbourne, the Airbourne airshow, and the best things to do in Eastbourne.