Monterey Car Week cancellations are announced by the event organizers weeks or months in advance, usually due to weather, public health restrictions, or venue conflicts
Monterey Car Week — the annual gathering of automotive auctions, concours competitions, and track events held around Monterey, California each August — does not run every year. When organizers cancel the event, they post the decision on the official Monterey Car Week website and notify ticket holders and registered participants by email. Cancellations have occurred due to wildfires affecting air quality, pandemic-related restrictions, and other circumstances that make the event unsafe or impossible to hold.
If you have already bought tickets, registered a vehicle, or booked travel, a cancellation affects your money and your plans. Understanding what happens to your payment, how much notice you typically receive, and what your options are can help you decide whether to wait for the next year or pursue other events.
Key Takeaways
- Monterey Car Week organizers announce cancellations on their official website and by direct email to registered participants, usually several weeks before the scheduled dates.
- Ticket refunds and vehicle registration refunds are handled by the specific event operator — Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, RM Sotheby's, Bonhams, and others each manage their own cancellation policy.
- Travel bookings made through hotels, airlines, and rental car companies are separate from the event itself and require separate cancellation requests.
- If Monterey Car Week is cancelled but you have already paid for accommodations or travel, you may be able to reschedule or receive a credit depending on the provider's policy and the reason for cancellation.
- Alternative automotive events and auctions run throughout the year in other locations, so you can explore other options if the Monterey dates do not work.
How cancellation announcements are made
The Monterey Car Week organization does not operate as a single entity. Instead, multiple independent operators — including Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, RM Sotheby's, Bonhams, Gooding & Company, and others — each run their own events during the same week. When circumstances threaten the entire week, organizers typically coordinate and announce cancellations together on the Monterey Car Week website.
Announcements appear on the official Monterey Car Week site, on each individual event operator's website, and in emails sent to people who have registered or purchased tickets. If you are on an event's mailing list, you will receive notice directly. The announcement usually includes the reason for cancellation, whether the event will be rescheduled, and instructions for what to do with your ticket or registration.
Check the official Monterey Car Week website and the specific event operator's site if you are unsure whether a cancellation has been announced. Do not rely on social media posts or third-party sites, as they may contain outdated or incorrect information.
What happens to your ticket payment
Each event operator sets its own refund policy. Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, for example, typically refunds ticket purchases if the event is cancelled. RM Sotheby's, Bonhams, and Gooding & Company each have their own terms. When a cancellation is announced, the event operator will explain whether you receive a full refund, a credit toward next year's event, or another option.
Refunds are usually processed within 30 to 60 days of the cancellation announcement, though the exact timeline depends on the operator and the payment method you used. If you paid by credit card, the refund appears as a credit to that card. If you paid by check or wire transfer, the operator will send a refund check or wire the funds back to your account.
If you do not receive a refund within the stated timeframe, contact the event operator directly using the phone number or email address on your ticket confirmation or the event website. Keep your ticket confirmation email and any correspondence about the cancellation.
Vehicle registration refunds and auction cancellations
If you registered a vehicle to be shown at the Concours or entered in an auction, the event operator will refund your registration or entry fee when the event is cancelled. The refund process is the same as for ticket purchases — the operator processes it within 30 to 60 days and credits your original payment method.
If your vehicle was already consigned to an auction house for sale, the auctioneer will contact you about what happens next. Most auction houses will hold your vehicle and offer to include it in the next scheduled sale, or they will return it to you. Ask the auctioneer in writing what your options are and whether you have a important date to choose.
Auction house storage fees may explore if your vehicle remains in their facility while you decide. Clarify whether you are responsible for storage costs during the delay and for how long the auctioneer will hold your vehicle without charging you.
Travel and accommodation bookings are separate from the event
Hotel reservations, airline tickets, and rental car bookings are contracts with those providers, not with Monterey Car Week. When the event is cancelled, your hotel or airline does not automatically cancel your reservation or refund your payment. You must contact each provider separately.
Most hotels allow you to cancel a reservation without penalty if you do so within a certain window — often 24 to 72 hours before your arrival date. If Monterey Car Week is cancelled and your hotel's cancellation important date has passed, you may lose your deposit or be charged for the full stay. Contact the hotel directly and explain the situation; some hotels will waive cancellation fees or offer a credit if the event you booked for is cancelled.
Airlines have varying policies. Some allow free cancellation or rebooking if you cancel within 24 hours of purchase. Others charge change fees or offer only a credit toward future travel. Check your airline's website or call the airline directly to understand your options. If you purchased travel insurance, review your policy to see whether event cancellation is covered.
Rescheduling your travel or finding alternative events
If Monterey Car Week is rescheduled to a new date, the event operators will announce the new dates on their websites. If you received a credit instead of a refund, you can use that credit to register for the rescheduled event. If you need to change your hotel or flight to match the new dates, contact those providers as soon as possible.
If you prefer not to wait for a rescheduled Monterey event, other major automotive auctions and concours events run throughout the year. Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, RM Sotheby's, Bonhams, and Gooding & Company also hold events at other times and locations. Barrett-Jackson, Mecum Auctions, and other auctioneers hold sales in different cities and seasons. Research these alternatives on each auctioneer's website to find events that match your interests and schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance does Monterey Car Week usually announce a cancellation?
Cancellations are typically announced four to eight weeks before the scheduled event dates. This gives ticket holders and participants time to adjust their plans, request refunds, and reschedule travel. In cases of sudden circumstances — such as a wildfire or air quality emergency — the announcement may come with less notice.
If I already paid for my hotel, can I get my money back if the event is cancelled?
That depends on your hotel's cancellation policy and how close you are to your arrival date. Contact the hotel directly and explain that the event you booked for has been cancelled. Many hotels will waive cancellation fees or offer a credit if you ask, especially if the cancellation is announced well in advance. Check your reservation confirmation for the cancellation important date.
What if I bought a ticket from a reseller, not directly from the event?
If you bought your ticket from a reseller or secondary market site, your refund comes from that reseller, not from the event operator. Contact the reseller using the email address or account associated with your purchase. Reseller policies vary widely, so review their terms before you buy. Some resellers offer refunds for cancelled events; others do not.
Can I use my ticket credit toward a different Monterey Car Week event?
That depends on the event operator's policy. Some operators allow you to explore a credit from one event to another event they operate. Others issue credits only toward the rescheduled date of the same event. Check your cancellation notice or contact the event operator to ask whether your credit can be transferred.
Are there other car auctions and shows I can attend instead?
Yes. RM Sotheby's, Bonhams, Gooding & Company, Barrett-Jackson, Mecum Auctions, and others hold events in different cities and months throughout the year. Visit each auctioneer's website to see their full calendar and find events that match your interests and schedule.