Wind in the hair? Sun on the face? V-8 under the hood? Check, check, check. If you love vehicles, we have a few festivals that will rev you up and get you down the road…

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (South Dakota, USA)

Photo credit: Chris Heald via Creative Commons (and yes, that is Neil Young)

Wanna feel a little more like a rebel? More of a pilgrimage than a motorcycle rally, this event in the desolate Black Hills prairie defines American rugged individualism in its celebration of everything Harley-Davidson. Some of the best riding in the country is near Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse memorial.

Frankfurt Auto Show (Germany)

Video credit: InsideLineVideo

The Germans love their cars, and this event is so big than it needs twelve different buildings to contain it. This biennial is split with a commercial vehicle show in Hanover in even-numbered years. If you’re a fan of German-engineered cars, this is your show.

Daytona Bike Week (Florida, USA)

Photo credit: DeusXFlorida via Creaive Commons

If you’re looking for a winter motorcycle event in a landscape that is completely different from the prairie, this bike rally attracts a crowd that’s more cleancut than Hell’s Angels. While Sturgis is centered around Main Street in a small town, this event is more spread out and disparate so you may not get quite the same immersive culture.

Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance (California, USA)

Video credit: Autoweek USA

This posh charity event, held on the landmark Pebble Beach golf courses, is a week-long celebration of classic cars. Pre- and post-war collector cards are trotted out from their garages and judged for authenticity, panache, and style. The crowd, dressed to the nines, tends to judge one another based on those same qualities.

North American International Auto Show (Michigan, USA)

Video credit: windingroadmagazine

This show may be held during the frigid month of January, but its 100 year-old history and the fact that it's held in Motor City make it one of the must-attend events of the year for auto buffs. It wasn’t open to the public until about ten years ago and now 800,000 people stream through the Cobo Center to check out what they might buy next year.

1000 Millas Sport (Argentina)

Video credit: welcomeargentina

Spring in Argentina (mid-November, specifically) on a beautiful Patagonian lakes creates a perfect backdrop for one of the world’s most stunning car fests. This classic car rally is more of an upscale party with amazing local steak, delicious Argentinian wine, and lots of golfing. South America’s version of Pebble Beach’s Concours.

Geneva Motor Show (Switzerland)

Video credit: autocar

Few auto shows can claim to be more than 100 years old, but this one started in 1905. The internal combustion engine had its first showing here, so this tends to be more of a technical show. Exotic supercars get a lot of attention here. Not for the average gearhead!

Blind Man Car Rally (India)

Video credit: news9tv

Getting behind the wheel of a car in India can be a harrowing experience, even more so at this 40-mile rally of more than 70 blind drivers being directed around the streets of Mumbai by partially-sighted navigators reading Braille maps.