Connect with fellow VW Bus owners and enthusiasts in 2023 at one of the many exciting events happening around the world this year, all of which are dedicated to bringing you closer to your air-cooled community. Whether you’re looking for your local bus meet-up or you’re looking to stop at one on your international road trip, our complete list of VW Bus events in 2023 will point you in the right direction. This year, expect to find everything from chilled community gatherings with cook-outs and campfires to large-scale VW air-cooled show-and-shines, trade shows, and even epic celebratory VW Bus festivals.
One of the best parts of owning a VW Bus is the kind, generous, and welcoming community that comes along with it. These meet-ups and events give you an excellent opportunity to become part of it if you’re not already. What’s more, these VW meet-ups and events offer you the perfect chance to buy and sell parts, get some resto-modding inspiration, get expert mechanical advice, and much more. So, what are you waiting for? Just click the country you’d like to attend your next event in below for a list of all the best ones happening this year. See you there!
Remember: this list is updated with new events and dates all year so be sure to keep checking back! And if you had a VW Bus event we haven’t listed here please let us know via info@buslifers.com and we will add it!
VW Bus Events in Germany 2023
| The Event | Where It’s Happening | When It’s Happening | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| VW Kaefer Wintertreffen | Herford (near Hanover, northwest Germany) | 14-15 January | A chance for beautifully restored VW Buses and Beetles to be displayed in a museum-style setting and get inspiration for your own vehicle |
| Offroad Syncro Treffen | Karenz/Mecklenburg (near Hamburg, northern Germany) | 21-23 April | A friendly offroad Bulli competition for those that want to test their VW’s skills |
| Bulli Days | Herzhausen (near Cologne, northwest Germany) | 5-7 May | A relaxed gathering of likeminded people on a secluded campsite to get to know one another, share barbeques, and show off their buses |
| Gates of Summer | Naturpott-Borkenberge Campsite (near Dortmond, northwest Germany) | 18-21 May | A small-medium outdoor enthusiasts camping event with events, awards, talks on everything from vanlife sustainability to the camping boom |
| Crazy Camping | Erwin Hymer Museum, Bad Waldsee (near Lake Constance, southern Germany) | 20-21 May | An annual gathering of retro campers at a museum dedicated to the story of the mobile traveler |
| Midsummer Bulli Festival | Fehmarn (small islet close to the Danish border) | 15-18 June | Germany’s biggest Bulli festival by the sea provides days of music, food, games, and more for people of all ages |
| VW Bus Freunde Südbayerntreffen | Isarhorn Camping Park, Lenggries (near the Germany-Austria border) | 16 – 18 June (+ monthly members’ meetings) | A friendly and relaxed VW Bus meet-up in a beautiful setting at the Alpine foothills |
| VW Bus Festival 2023 | Hannover Fairground, northwest Germany | 23-25 June | A lively festival-style VW Bus camping meet-up for all ages that will include exciting shows, events, and attractions |
| Bus am See | Lake Constance (on the Swiss border in southern Germany) | 16-18 June (+ monthly members’ meetings) | Find new Buslife friends at this casual VW Bus enthusiasts meet-up on the lake |
| Bullis Verbinden | Imbrok Campingplatz (near Hamburg, northern Germany) | July (TBC) | A diverse Buslife meet-up that welcomes all and encourages new connection and friendship |
| Bus Festival | EWS Arena, Göppingen (near Stuttgart in southern Germany) | 21-23 July | A large commercial Buslifers festival where you can catch up on the latest VW Bus gear, news, and more, as well as listen to talks, drink, eat, and play |
| VW Bus Festival Berlin | Jüterbog Altes Lager (Old Camp) | August (TBC) | A place for likeminded people to get together outside the German capital of Berlin and share in their love for Buslife |
| Bulli Summer Festival | Ausee, near Dortmund northeast Germany | August 31 – September 3 | A massive global VW Bus festival to celebrate the end of summer with a full line-up of music, VW lectures and workshops, family activities, a show n’ shine, and much more |
| Jahrestreffen der IG | Siersburg/ Saarland, near the France–Luxembourg border of northwestern Germany | 17 September (+ monthly members’ meetings) | An annual VW T2 meeting for its 700 members and friends to connect, catch up, and discuss ideas for future T2 representation |
VW Bus Events in the UK 2023
| The Event | Where It’s Happening | When It’s Happening | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air-style VW Swapmeet | Maidstone, Kent, Southeast England | 29 January | An exciting one-day swapmeet hosted by Air-Style VW Magazine where VW owners can buy, sell, and swap parts, and make new friends in the VW community |
| Midlands Aircooled Swapmeet | Redditch, near Birmingham, Central England | 5 February | A traditional swapmeet for new and used parts for VWs and Porsche, as well as an air-cooled car park show with a trophy for the best vehicle |
| Vee Dub Show | Stafford Showground, Central England | 26 February | A new air-cooled VW swapmeet weekend with camping, an auto jumble, and VW car show |
| VolksWorld Show | Sandown Park, Surrey | 18-19 March | Europe’s premier air-cooled VW show and camping weekend with tons of fun family events, talks, workshops, swapmeets, and more |
| Carry On Campout (CoCo) | South of England Showground, Sussex | 7-9 April | A casual but fun camp-out style meet-up for VW Buses, small campers, and tents with music marquees and tasty food stalls |
| VW Camp Out | Budle Bay, Northumberland, northeast coast of England | 28 April – 1 May | A casual family-friendly VW Bus meet-up on the beautiful Northumberland beaches for VW-owners to get together, explore the region, and make new friends |
| Derbyshire Dubs Festival | Seed Low Rake Camping, Derbyshire, Central England | 4-7 May | A large VW Bus and car meet-up and trade show camping weekend featuring live music, entertainment, events, parts sales, and more for 500+ campers |
| Dubs in the Middle | Ashdown Farm, Evesham, central England | 25-29 May | A fun camping weekend for VW Bus families with live bands, a silent disco, fun fair, car show, trade stalls, workshops and more to raise money for a local children’s hospice |
| Stonor VW Show | Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire | 4 June | An exciting VW car show in Oxfordshire’s beautiful Chiltern Hills for show enthusiasts, traders, and keen campers |
| Alive n’ Dubbin | Haughley Park, Suffolk, southeast England | 8-11 June | An affordable family-friendly VW Bus camping weekend with live music, kids activities, traders, an autojumble, and a classic car show |
| Bristol Volksfest | Birches Farm, Bristol | 9-11 June | An epic VW festival for cool cars, camping, music and VW culture for all ages including a VW competition, trade show, food, drink, and much more |
| Carry On Campout (CoCo) | South of England Showground, Sussex | 30 June – 2 July | A casual but fun camp-out style meet-up for VW Buses, small campers, and tents with music marquees and tasty food stalls |
| Vans in the Valley | Yorkshire Dales, northern England | 30 June – 2 July | A relaxed and chilled VW Bus meet-up in the undulating hills of the Yorkshire Dales with live acoustic music in the evenings |
| Camper Jam | Weston Park, Shropshire | 7-9 July | A large-scale fun family VW Bus weekend festival with VW shows, sales, tree-climbing, a circus, and much more |
| Dorset Volksfest | The Showground, Wareham, southwest England | 7-9 July | A VW festival family weekend with live music, stunt shows, ‘shine n shine’, trade stalls, street food, a beer tent, and much more |
| Volks Weald | The Weald, Southeast England | 14-16 July | An entertaining large-scale weekend VW Bus camp with a trade village selling everything from spare parts to skateboards, as well as a ‘show n shine’, live music, and food and drink |
| Kent VW Festival | Deal, Kent, Southeast England | 5-7 August | A family-friendly VW Bus festival on the coast with entertainment, trade stalls, kids activities, a fun fair, food stalls to suit chillers and partiers alike |
| Camper Calling | Ragley Hall, Warwickshire | 25-27 August | An August bank holiday family music festival with all the frills (tents, activities, food, and fun) with acts like Newton Faulkner and Basement Jaxx |
| Busfest | Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Central England | 8-10 September | A family-oriented VW Bus meet-up weekend with trade stalls, vehicle sales, a syncro trail and obstacle course, and entertainment for both adults and kids |
| Carry On Campout (CoCo) | South of England Showground, Sussex | 15-17 September | A casual but fun camp-out style meet-up for VW Buses, small campers, and tents with music marquees and tasty food stalls |
VW Bus Events in The Netherlands 2023
| The Event | Where It’s Happening | When It’s Happening | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircooled Winterfest | Autotron Rosmalen (central Netherlands) | 7-8 January | A two-day buying and selling event for VW Buses, Beetles, and Buggies where you can get your hands on everything from auto parts to memorabilia |
| Vintage at Zandvoort | Zandvoort (west coast) | 21-23 April | A relaxed beachside meet-up for all kinds of vintage VWs and their owners to meet other vintage enthusiasts |
| Aircooled Scheveningen | Scheveningen Strand beach, The Hague (west coast) | 14 May | A beachside meet-up for all air-cooled vehicle owners to get together for a few days of surfing, sea life, workshops, and more |
| 3rd European Barndoor Gathering and Vintage VW Show | Enschede, eastern Netherlands | 20-21 May | An action-packed international celebration for vintage (pre-’57) VWs with camping, trading, food and drink, and kids’ entertainment |
| The Summer Picnic | Apeldoorn (central Netherlands) | September (TBC) | A fun-packed weekend of music, games, sports, markets, and more to see out the summer with old and new VW friends |
VW Bus Meet-ups and Events in the Rest of Europe 2023
| The Event | Where It’s Happening | When It’s Happening | What You Can Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bugaloo VW Festival | Lago dell’Olmo, Northwestern Italy | 26-28 May | A fun-filled weekend festival of music, shows, spare parts sales, street food, vintage fairs, and more for VW lovers from around the world |
| Classic Catalan | Mediterannean Coast, France (TBC) | (TBC) | A major classic air-cooled bus and car show set on the stunning south coast of France featuring swap-meets, trade stalls, and food and drinks |
| Volkswagon Bus Meeting Westende | Westende, Belgium | 10-11 June | A community VW Bus meet-up on the Belgian coast with exciting shows, entertainment, family events, and food and drink |
| Balkan Bus Meeting | Bulgaria | 7-9 July | A highly anticipated VW Bus festival that takes place in a new Balkans location each year with an exciting line-up of activities like drive-in cinema, sightseeing, and kids games |
| The Bulli Meeting | The Bulli Show, Lechtal, Western Austria | June (TBC) | Held at the grounds of Europe’s largest VW Bus centre, this annual event shows off some of the continents best Bullis accompanied by food, a live band, and kids’ entertainment |
| VW Bus Treffen | Morel, Southern Switzerland | June (TBC) | A long-standing small but fun-filled annual VW Bus meeting in the beautiful Swiss Alps where you can gather with like-minded people, eat local cuisine, drink, and dance |
| 37th Legendary International VW Meeting | Staggia Senese, Tuscany, Northwestern Italy | 30 June – 2 July | A long-standing VW Beetle and Bus gathering in the beautiful Tuscan countryside with a show n’ shine, food, fun, and friends from around the world |
| Scandinavian Cal-Look Classic Show | Gardermoen International Raceway, Olso, Norway | 11-13 August | A weekend celebration of Scandinavia’s best air-cooled vehicles where over 1000 classic cars gather for a show and shine, and people enjoy drag racing, slalom racing, barbeques, and much more |
| Internationales Aircooled VW Meeting | Chateau d’Oex, Leman Lake, Western Switzerland | August (TBC) | An action-packed family weekend for all VW owners where you can enjoy everything from swap-meets and trade stalls to food and parties |
| Ionian Volksfest | Kefalonia, Greece | 1-3 September | An international gathering of Buses and Beetles from all over Europe for an energetic few days of beaches, coastal drives, community dinners, and group adventures around the island |
| Van Days | Grottenhof Nature Park Center, Austria | 1-3 September | At the VAN DAYS, the community of the individual travel scene meets once a year. People exchange ideas, celebrate and get inspiration for the next adventure, whether as a day visitor or as a camper on site. |
| Volkswagen Klassiker auf der Postalm | Austria | 6-8 September | A classic VW bus and car meet-up in the meadows of Salzburg overlooked by the Austrian alps known for its delicious food, hearty music, and happy community atmosphere |
VW Bus Events in the USA 2023
| The Event | Where It’s Happening | When It’s Happening | What You Can Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange County Transporter Organization Winter Meet | Long beach Veteran’s Memorial Stadium, Long Beach, California | 4 February | A swap and display meet for 1967 VW Buses and older where you can find mechanical parts and get some resto-modding inspiration |
| Dubs by the Dam | Millerton Lake, Fresno, California | 17-20 February | A fun family long weekend VW camp out with a chilli cook out, cornhole tournament, raffles, movie nights, fishing, and much more |
| Volksfest | NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, North Carolina | 25 February | A large-scale VW aircooled show with a swap-meet, auto jumble, and more along with delicious food and drink vendors |
| Women ‘n’ Wheels 2023 | Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum, El Segundo, California | 11 March | A chance for the vintage car sisterhood to meet, show off their vehicles, do some vintage shopping, and make new friends |
| Hot VWs Drag Day | Irwindale, Calirfornia | 12 March | A thrilling VW Bus drag race show with a large swap-meet and show ‘n’ shine for the speed loving VW enthusiasts |
| No Dough Weekend | Port Orange, Florida | 24-26 March | A weekend of exciting events, awards, music, food, and friends for all VW owners |
| Silverado Campout Car Show | Oak Canyon Park, Silverado, California | 31 March – 2 April | A wonderful VW meet-up in a lakeside setting full of fun activities like movie nights, chilli cook-offs, lantern walks, and live music |
| The Golden Gate Chapter Annual Spring Meet | Kelley Park, San Jose, California | 16 April | The 38th annual spring meet hosted by the Golden gate Chapter which features a highly anticipated vintage car show |
| Annual Madera VW Spring Fling | Madera Fairgrounds, California | 28-30 April | A large swap-meet and VW car show hosted by New Old Stock VW Club with fun events including drag races, banana eating contest, and award ceremony |
| Buses at Das Bevo | St Louis, Missouri | 6 May | A VW Bus owner’s gathering to enjoy food, drink, and live music with fellow bus enthusiasts |
| Dubs in the Shrubs | Hamilton, New Jersey | 20-21 May | An aircooled camping weekend hosted by Old School Euros Car Club with a car show and swap-meet |
| Fast Times at Farmington | Mockville, North Carolina | 21 May | The biggest all-VW drag race, show, and swap-meet on the east coast with over 75 vendors and thousands of dollars to be won |
| Orange County Transporter Organization Summer Meet | Long beach Veteran’s Memorial Stadium, Long Beach, California | 3 June | A swap and display meet for 1967 VW Buses and older where you can find mechanical parts and get some resto-modding inspiration |
| Summer Volksfest | Classic Car Museum, St Augustine, Florida | 17 June | Come and revel in your love for classic VWs, Audis, and Porsche at this classic car museum car show event |
| BUG-IN | Irwindale Raceway, Irwindale, California | 18 June | A thrilling 1/8 VW drag race with street food, music, competitions, and events for all the family |
| Northwest Vintage VW Show | Washington | 15 July | The Cascade Kombis Vintage VW Club is hosting the 40th annual VW show and swap-meet |
| High Country Bus Festival | Twin Rivers Campground, North Carlina | July 23rd-30th | A community VW Bus gathering on the quaint riverside in North Carolina for Buslifers to get together for cook-outs, river tubing, games, parties, and more |
| Tannehill VolksJam | Tannehill State Park, McCalla, Alabama | 26 August | Alabama’s largest and longest-running VW event amongst the pines of a beautiful state park with live music, cook-outs, and drinks along with a swap-meet |
| VWs in the Valley | Maggie Valley, North Carolina | 15-16 September | A two-day VW can show and swap-meet with live music, food, and entertainment |
| Vanquinox | Sawtooth Lodge, Grandjean, Idaho | 21-24 September | A gathering of camper vans and overlanders starting on the autumnal equinox at the gateway to the Sawtooth Mountains. Enjoy live music, natural hot springs, amazing trails, while camping with us featuring on-site restrooms, hot showers, geothermal pool, lodge with dining menu.A smaller event, open to all vehicles under 25′ but majority VW Vanagons. |
| Orange County Transporter Organization Fall Meet | Long beach Veteran’s Memorial Stadium, Long Beach, California | 14 October | A swap and display meet for 1967 VW Buses and older where you can find mechanical parts and get some resto-modding inspiration |
| Fast Times at Farmington | Mockville, North Carolina | 15 October | The biggest all-VW drag race, show, and swap-meet on the east coast with over 75 vendors and thousands of dollars to be won |
| Hot VWs Drag Day | Irwindale, California | 29 October | A thrilling VW Bus drag race show with a large swap-meet and show ‘n’ shine for the speed-loving VW enthusiasts |
VW Bus Events Around the World 2023
| The Event | Where It’s Happening | When It’s Happening | What You Can Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Encuentro Villa Maria | Villa Maria, Cordoba Province, Central Argentina | (TBC) | A warm and welcoming local meet-up of VW Bus owners from all walks of life who come together to share stories, drinks, and Buslife tips |
| Jogja VW Festival Indonesia | Yogyakarta, Central Java, Indonesia | July (TBC) | The biennial Jogja VW Festival is the biggest VW event in Indonesia. Hundreds of VW owners bring their vehicles together for a magnificent car show with food, music, and more |
| Club Vochas Costa Rica | Various locations around Costa Rica | (TBC) | Club Vochas is a VW enthusiasts club that holds regular meet-ups and events around Costa Rica where you can make life-long connections |
| Volks Fest Australia | Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park, Lake Macquarie, Australia | September 7th-10th | Volksfest Australia will be filled with something for everyone, from the oldest to the newest Volkswagen’s on show, a swap meet, market stalls, beer & wine tents along with a variety of food vendors to satisfy your every craving. There will be organised activities for the kids (big and small) along with live music all day and in to night. On Sunday, Volksfest Australia culminates with the opportunity to show off why we are all together, with a Volkswagen Show & Shine and awards for all the exceptional vehicles. |
| Hot Volks VW Air-cooled | Estação Atibaia, near Sao Paulo, Brazil | November (TBC) | An annual VW enthusiasts and owners meet-up in an venue replicating an old train station with a food court, raffles, kids play, and part sales |
| Encuentro Internacional Familia Volkswagen | Camping Los Tilos, Andrade, Colón, on the Argentina-Urugauy border | November (TBC) | A wonderful social community gathering on the shores on the Uruguay River where VW Bus owners come together for family meals, games, music, camping, beach time and more |
Author: Emily Draper
Having visited over 70 countries across all seven continents, it's safe to say Emily has the voice of a true traveler. She has lived with the Hare Krishnas in Chile, an Amazonian tribe in Peru, and a retiree named Jerry in a Wisconsin trailer park. Now, Emily has embarked on the coolest adventure yet: across Europe in her self-converted bus.
