Here’s your ultimate guide to the Amelia Island Concours, covering iconic cars, auctions, driving events, seminars, and what makes this early-March motoring weekend so distinctive.
Each March, The Amelia transforms Amelia Island into one of the world’s most respected automotive destinations. What began in 1996 as a refined car show has grown into an internationally recognized motoring week that attracts collectors, designers, historians, racers, and curious first-timers alike.
Held during the first full weekend of March, this beloved event unfolds across several venues, most notably The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, and The Golf Club of Amelia Island. Over the course of three days, the island becomes the stage for auctions, driving experiences, seminars, road tours, community events, and, on Sunday, one of the most prestigious concours shows in North America.
If your trip to Amelia Island coincides with the event, a visit is well worth it. Believe me, even if you’re not a car enthusiast, you’ll find The Amelia extremely engaging and fun. The setting plays a role, and so does the access. Few events allow this level of proximity to historically significant automobiles in such a relaxed, coastal environment.
At Stay Better Vacations, we offer a handpicked collection of vacation rentals across Amelia Island and the charming town of St. Marys, Georgia. From relaxed beachfront stays to homes close to history and local flavor, plus plenty of pet-friendly options, it’s easy to find a place that fits the way you want to travel. Planning an Amelia Island escape and looking for tips? Visit our travel blog, where our local experts share curated guides on vacationing with dogs, biking around Amelia Island, top annual events, and more.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about The Amelia. What it is, what you’ll see, how the weekend flows, and how to make the most of it.
TL;DR: The Amelia at a Glance
- What the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is and how it began
- When and where the event takes place each year
- What types of cars and classes appear on the show field
- How the three-day weekend is structured
- Friday highlights, including auctions, road tours, and driving experiences
- Saturday events focused on community, culture, and education
- Sunday Concours show field, judging, and awards
- Ticket types, parking, and practical planning tips
- What to expect when visiting Amelia Island in March
What Is The Amelia Concours d’Elegance
The Amelia is best known for its Sunday Concours, but the reality is closer to a full-on motoring weekend than a one-day car show. Over several days, hundreds of vehicles arrive from around the world, spanning more than a century of automotive design, engineering, and racing history.
Here’s what you’ll actually see on the field:
- Pre-war classics and coachbuilt European cars.
- Racing legends with real competition pedigrees.
- Rare American marques and experimental concepts.
- Modern supercars and hypercars.
- Carefully curated classes that change year to year.
Variety is the whole point at The Amelia. One section of the field may feature brass-era cars, while another focuses on endurance racing icons or well-designed grand tourers. The goal isn’t to declare a single “best” car, but to show how the automobile has evolved across different periods, styles, and cultures.
Awards are part of the weekend, but the format of the event is informal. You can walk right up to the cars, speak with owners, and examine details without barriers or tight pacing. Even if you’re not especially into cars, the variety and real stories behind them are well worth a visit if you’re on Amelia Island during the event.
How the Weekend Is Structured
The Amelia takes place over three days, with each day focused on something different. While the schedule changes a bit from year to year, the overall structure stays the same.
Friday: Auctions, Driving, and Storytelling
Friday tends to be the calmest day and is popular with visitors who prefer a quieter, more detailed look.
Broad Arrow Auction Preview
Hosted at Broad Arrow Auctions, the official auction partner of The Amelia, the preview allows attendees to view more than 100 collector cars before bidding begins. Even without auction intentions, this preview draws attention for the sheer quality and rarity of the vehicles on display.
Eight Flags Road Tour
Vintage and classic cars depart on a curated drive around Amelia Island, concluding with a public display and lunch in historic Fernandina Beach. The route celebrates the island’s landscape while placing these cars back into motion, which remains a central philosophy of the event.
Porsche Driving Experience
Hosted at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport, guests take part on a closed runway alongside professional drivers. It highlights modern performance engineering in contrast to the historic cars shown elsewhere during the weekend.
Ride and Drive
Open to the public and first-come, first-served, Ride and Drive opportunities allow guests to experience select vehicles on a guided route around the island. These moments often surprise first-time attendees and remain a strong introduction to the event.
Friday Seminars and Films
Educational sessions and automotive films round out the day, offering context on racing history, engineering breakthroughs, and iconic competitions such as Pikes Peak.
Saturday: Community, Culture, and Curation
Saturday blends high-level collecting with broad public engagement.
The Amelia Cars and Community
Held at the Golf Club of Amelia Island, this event is playful and inclusive. Here are some of the highlights:
- Cars and Caffeine gatherings.
- RADwood displays celebrating 1980s and 1990s vehicles.
- Concours d’Lemons, focused on humor and creativity.
- Hagerty Ride and Drive experiences.
- Future Drivers Club activities designed for younger audiences.
Admission to this day is included with Sunday Concours tickets, which makes it an appealing addition even for short visits.
The Amelia Silent Auction
The Ritz-Carlton serves as the setting for the event’s silent auction, featuring rare memorabilia, artwork, watches, jewelry, and motorsport artifacts. Bidding takes place virtually, with proceeds supporting long-standing nonprofit partners connected to the event.
The Hangar Amelia
One of the weekend’s more atmospheric gatherings, The Hangar Amelia takes place at Bent Wing Flight Services. Guests enjoy live music, food, wine, and a curated exhibition of vehicles ranging from vintage to hypercar.
Educational Seminars
Saturday often includes marque-focused talks and judging overviews. Concours Judging 101 is especially popular with those who take their love for cars seriously. The seminars offer insight into how vehicles are evaluated and preserved at the highest level.
Sunday: The Amelia Concours d’Elegance
Sunday is the big day. The show field opens early, with official hours stretching from mid-morning through the afternoon. If you want to explore without the crowds, consider getting an early-entry pass that gives you a head start before general admission arrives.
What You Will See on the Field
- Approximately 275 vehicles.
- Around 35 curated classes.
- Cars displayed on the rolling greens of the golf course.
- Owners and historians present to answer questions.
- Judges evaluating authenticity, condition, and historical relevance.
Classes change from year to year, so there’s always something new to see. Awards roll out throughout the day, ending with the Best of Show. Along the way, you’ll also find live music, a Bavarian-style beer garden, food vendors, and plenty of shaded spots to take a break.
Planning Your Visit
Tickets
Tickets are sold per event and per day. Options typically include:
- Single-day Concours admission.
- Multi-day packages.
- Early-entry upgrades.
- Premium access experiences.
Parking and Transportation
Official parking areas and shuttle services are coordinated each year. Many attendees prefer rideshare services or staying nearby to reduce logistics.
What to Wear
Comfort matters. Expect extensive walking across grass. March weather usually stays mild, though mornings can run cool.
Bonus: What to Expect If You’re Visiting Amelia Island in March
If you’re planning to visit Amelia Island in March, that’s the right choice. March is one of the best months to be on Amelia Island. The weather is mild and sunny, the humidity stays low, and the island feels lively without being overcrowded. Daytime temperatures usually land in the upper 60s to mid-70s, perfect for being outside all day. Spring breakers start to trickle in toward mid-to-late March, but crowds are still manageable, especially compared to summer.
Overall, it’s a shoulder-season sweet spot: restaurants are fully open, outdoor activities ramp up, and the island has a fresh, just-waking-up-for-spring feel.
Best things to do on Amelia Island in March
- Spend time on the beach: March is ideal for long walks, shell hunting, reading in the sun, and early swims on warmer days. Beaches are uncrowded, especially in the mornings.
- Explore historic downtown Fernandina Beach: Cooler temperatures make this a great time to wander Centre Street, browse shops and galleries, and enjoy outdoor dining without the summer heat.
- Bike the island: With mild weather and fewer cars than peak season, March is great for biking along the Amelia Island Trail or through quiet residential areas.
- Visit Fort Clinch State Park: Walk or bike the fort loop, explore the historic fort, and enjoy uncrowded beaches and shaded trails before summer heat sets in.
- Get out on the water: Boat tours, sunset cruises, and dolphin spotting start picking up this month, with calmer conditions and comfortable temperatures.
- Play a round of golf: Spring conditions are excellent, with comfy temperatures and well-maintained courses before peak summer demand.
- Enjoy outdoor dining and patios: March is prime patio season. Lunch and dinner al fresco are irresistible. Great food and sea breezes? Yes, please!
Make Your Trip to Amelia Island Even Better
Specializing in boutique-style service, Stay Better Vacations offers thoughtfully curated vacation rentals across Amelia Island, Florida, and St. Marys, Georgia. As a locally owned, women-operated company, we focus on warm Southern hospitality and stays that feel personal, relaxed, and easy. Get ready for beach days, coastal adventures, and time well spent with family or friends. Traveling with a pup? Select pet-friendly vacation rentals make it simple to include every member of the crew.
