The Vancouver International Auto Show (VIAS) hosts its annual Kickoff Party Gala on the show’s opening night. The gala is an exclusive after-hours celebration that marks the official start of the Auto Show which runs from March 25th to 29th in 2026.
Taking place on the exhibition floor at the Vancouver Convention Centre, the kickoff event combines live music, food, drinks, and VIP access in a lively and sophisticated setting. The event is open to the public. Anyone who loves cars and buys a ticket can attend.
To reserve your spot at the VIP Party Gala and/or the Auto Show, click VIAS Tickets. To learn more about the Auto Show in general, visit vancouverinternationalautoshow.com.
NOTE: Tickets to the VIP Gala Evening are no longer available for the event in 2026. You can still buy tickets to the Auto Show, just not to the exclusive opening night event.
Vancouver International Auto Show Kickoff Party Gala
In 2026 the Vancouver International Auto Show’s Kickoff Party Gala takes place on Wednesday, March 25th. The celebrations and fun run from 9:00 to 11:30 pm.
The evening event marks the launch of the five-day Vancouver International Auto Show, which continues daily through Sunday, March 29th. For many attendees, this party is the most anticipated night of the week in the Lower Mainland, when car enthusiasts and industry professionals get to meet and mingle.
VIAS’s Kickoff Party Gala
The Vancouver International Auto Show’s VIP Party Gala is the official after-hours kickoff celebration, giving ticket holders exclusive access to the show floor for a high-energy night surrounded by the latest vehicles and exhibits.
The 2026 edition marks the second year the Vancouver International Auto Show has hosted this polished event to welcome the automobile show to Vancouver.
Visit vancouverinternationalautoshow.com for the event’s official website.
Location, Time and Admission
This year’s VIP Gala Party takes place from 9:00 pm until 11:30 pm in the main exhibition hall at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The venue is located at 1055 Canada Place in downtown Vancouver’s Coal Harbour neighbourhood. Close by, there’s the cruise ship terminal, Waterfront Station, and some of the city’s most prestigious restaurants and hotels.
The Party Gala follows the Auto Show’s first day, which is open from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm on the Wednesday. Afterward, the Gala Kickoff Party unfolds directly on the exhibition floor, offering guests rare, crowd-free access to all the vehicles on display.
Admission to the VIAS Kickoff Party costs $199 per person, plus online fees. In 2026 each ticket includes two drink tickets, light food, entertainment, and an any-day VIAS admission pass to return to the Auto Show later in the week.
Highlights at the Kickoff Party
The VIAS Kickoff Party is known for blending an industry celebration with the social energy of car enthusiasts in a setting unlike the daytime show experience.
The after-hours event features live music, food stations with appetizers and desserts, roaming entertainment, and a bar offering alcoholic beverages. Guests can enjoy racing simulators, interactive activities, and ample space to network and socialize before ending the night after the bar’s last call, at around 11:00 pm. Last year there was also a live DJ set. In 2026 the music is with the band Dr. Strangelove (which is really good).
One of the evening’s defining features is the ability to admire the vehicles without daytime crowds. The exhibition floor becomes a stylish reception space where guests socialise among supercars and new auto debuts.
The dress code for 2026 is smart, as it was last year. Attendees include car enthusiasts, media representatives, industry partners, professionals, and members of Vancouver’s business community.
Guests don’t have to be car fanatics to enjoy and appreciate the event. With music, lighting, and a social buzz filling the exhibition hall, the party delivers an elevated automotive experience for everyone.
Vancouver International Auto Show by Day
The Vancouver International Auto Show is Western Canada’s largest consumer auto show. It brings together manufacturers, dealers, media, and car lovers from across British Columbia. Held at the Vancouver Convention Centre in spring, usually in March, the event takes up around 300,000 square feet of exhibition space. It’s a massive event!
In 2026 the VIAS showcases headline-making concept cars, Formula 1 display vehicles, elite supercars, and interactive test-drive experiences. The place is full of cars, from luxury vehicles to collectibles and 2026 models of every kind, including EVs and economy models. At the event there are cars for pretty much every taste, need and budget. Spanning five days, the show remains a cornerstone event in the province’s automotive calendar.
VIAS Admission and Times
Regular admission prices for the Vancouver International Auto Show vary slightly by day and timing. Adult tickets cost approximately $22, while senior and student tickets cost around $16. Admission for children ages 7 to 12 is $7, and family passes are also available at a reduced bundle price. (Note: All prices and details are subject to change.)
The 2026 Auto Show runs from Wednesday, March 25th, through Sunday, March 29th. The longest days are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, when show hours are from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.
On opening day, Wednesday, the show is open from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm, followed by the VIP Kickoff Party Gala until late. On Sunday, the show takes place from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
NOTE: Tickets to the VIP Gala Evening are no longer available. You can still buy tickets for everything else, however, up until March 29th.
TIP: Use the promo code VANCARSHOWS and you’ll save yourself $3 per ticket when purchasing admission online.
Visit vancouverinternationalautoshow.com for the event’s official website.
More Information
To purchase admisison to the Auto Show, click VIAS Tickets. For full details about the car show, visit vancouverinternationalautoshow.com.
To learn about the organization behind the Auto Show, see the New Car Dealers Association of BC‘s website.
Another article you might find of interest is our Vancouver Car Shows Events Calendar.
Other websites to check out include VancouverTradeShows.com and VancouversBestPlaces.com.