News
Twende! · Sunday 27 September 2026
The Concours d’Elegance is one of the oldest things in the Nairobi calendar. Vintage and classic cars and motorcycles are judged on condition and presentation, the lawns at Ngong Racecourse fill up, and the whole thing has the feel of a country show that happens to be inside a capital city. The 2026 edition marks the 54th annual Concours.
Public listings have the 2026 event at Ngong Racecourse on Sunday 27 September, from the morning. The organisers publish the confirmed date and gate times at concourskenya.com — check there before you build a day around it.
What the day is like
It is an outdoor day and a long one. Cars are laid out on the grass, judging runs through the morning, and the crowd is a mix of collectors, families and people who came for the spectacle. There is food, there is shade if you find it early, and there is a great deal of walking.
Three things worth knowing:
- Go early. The light is better, the lawns are less crowded and the cars are easier to photograph before the crowd builds.
- Dress for both. Late September in Nairobi runs warm in the middle of the day and cool by late afternoon, and the short rains can arrive without much notice.
- Plan the exit. Ngong Road after a big event at the racecourse is slow. If you are not in a hurry, eat somewhere on the way rather than sitting in it.
Making a weekend of it
The racecourse sits on Ngong Road between town and Karen, which makes a Karen base a sensible one for the weekend. You can do the Concours on the Sunday and spend the Saturday on this side of the city: the Giraffe Centre and the Karen Blixen Museum are both close, Nairobi National Park has a gate within reach for an early game drive, and Karura Forest is a longer run north if you want trails.
We can arrange a private game drive or a guided tour of the Karen sights — see Safari and Experiences for what we offer, or just ask.
Staying in Karen while you are here
Karen Plains Hotel sits in Karen Plains Arcade on Karen Plains Road, a few steps from The Waterfront Karen and its restaurants and supermarket. Check-in is from 12:00 and check-out is by 10:00, breakfast runs from 7:00 to 10:30, and the front desk is staffed 24 hours, so a late arrival is never a problem. Parking is free, Wi-Fi is free throughout, every room has a work desk, and a generator covers the guest rooms and the Wi-Fi when the power goes. Lunch and dinner are available together for an extra US$40 per day if you would rather not go out.
Book the night before, not the morning of.
Ngong Road on a Sunday morning is kinder to people who are already on this side of the city. Rooms at Karen Plains Hotel from about US$60, room only.
Check availability & book direct WhatsApp the front deskNot ready to book? Tap the chat bubble on any page and talk to Tulia, our concierge — she answers questions about rooms, transfers and what is on in Nairobi, day or night. Or see the full Book Direct page.
Event date from public listings; edition number from the organiser’s own site. Confirm details with the organiser.
More from Twende!: What’s On in Nairobi · Nairobi This Weekend · Plan Your Stay · Guest FAQs
Karen Plains Hotel · Karen Plains Arcade, Karen Plains Road, Karen, Nairobi · info@karenplainshotel.com · +254 796 989 928
