Daytona Bike Week 2026 (85th Anniversary)

This is the definitive guide to Daytona Bike Week 2026, based on information available as of early January 2026.

Special Note for 2026: This year marks the 85th Anniversary of Daytona Bike Week. Expect crowds to be larger, parties to be louder, and the general atmosphere to be even more celebratory than usual.

The Ultimate Guide to Daytona Bike Week 2026 (85th Anniversary)

Daytona Bike Week is often called "The Granddaddy of Them All." Along with Sturgis, it is the anchor of the American motorcycle rally calendar.

For 10 days in March, the quiet beach town of Daytona is transformed by the rumble of V-Twin engines. It is a massive, sprawling spectacle of chrome, leather, gasoline, and American biker culture. If you love motorcycles, you have to experience it at least once.

Here is everything you need to know for the 2026 edition.

AT A GLANCE: The Essentials

Dates: March 6 – March 15, 2026 (Friday to the following Sunday).

Location: Daytona Beach, Florida, and surrounding areas (Ormond Beach, Port Orange, Volusia County).

Official Website: officialbikeweek.com (Good for the official calendar of events).

Expected Attendance: For the 85th anniversary, estimates are pushing 500,000+ visitors.

The Vibe: Loud, brash, and high-energy. While open to all bikes, it is overwhelmingly dominated by Harley-Davidson and cruiser culture. It’s a mix of a giant street party, a racing festival, and a fashion show for machines.

Understanding the Geography: The Three Main Hubs

Unlike some rallies that are contained in one area, Daytona Bike Week is spread out across several key locations in the county. You need to know where these are to plan your days.

1. Main Street (The Party Heart)

This is the iconic image of Daytona. Main Street is several blocks of historic bars, t-shirt vendors, and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds right near the ocean.

What happens here: The famous "Main Street Cruise" (riding your bike slowly down the street to be seen), crazy custom bikes parked along the curbs, and live music pouring out of legendary bars like Boot Hill Saloon, Dirty Harry's, and The Bank & Blues.

Warning: Traffic here is gridlock, especially on weekends. It's often better to park nearby and walk in.

2. Daytona International Speedway (The Racing & Demo Hub)

Located inland near the highway (I-95), the world-famous speedway is the epicenter of the action during the day.

The Racing: The Speedway hosts the premier racing events of the week (see below).

Manufacturer Demos: Outside the track, almost every major motorcycle manufacturer (Harley, Indian, BMW, Kawasaki, Yamaha, etc.) sets up massive tents and offers free demo rides of their new 2026 models. You need a valid license and appropriate gear to ride.

Vendor Village: Acres of vendors selling parts, gear, and accessories.

3. Destination Daytona (The North Hub)

Located just north in Ormond Beach at I-95 and US-1.

What it is: The home of Bruce Rossmeyer's Daytona Harley-Davidson, one of the largest dealerships in the world. It’s an entire complex with its own massive concert pavilion, bars, restaurants, and hundreds of top-tier vendors. It often feels like a rally within a rally.

Major Events & Must-Dos in 2026

The Racing (At the Speedway)

While the street party runs all week, the racing schedule is specific. Note: Double-check the Daytona International Speedway website for final daily schedules.

Daytona Supercross: (Usually the first Saturday, March 7th). High-flying dirt bike action under the stadium lights.

American Flat Track (AFT): (Usually the first Thursday/Friday). Insane sideways dirt oval racing. Often held at nearby Volusia Speedway Park.

The Daytona 200: (Usually the final Saturday, March 14th). The main event. America’s most historic sportbike endurance race on the high banks of the speedway.

The Mandatory Rides

You came to ride. These are the essential routes:

The Loop: A 22-plus mile loop through Ormond Beach. It is famous for its canopy of moss-draped oak trees. It’s a beautiful, slower-paced scenic break from the chaos of Main Street.

Riding on the Beach: Yes, you can legally ride your motorcycle on the actual sand in designated zones in Daytona Beach, weather and tide permitting. It’s a unique photo op. (Watch out for soft sand if you are on a heavy cruiser!).

A1A to St. Augustine: Ride north along the coast highway (A1A) to America's oldest city, St. Augustine. A great day trip with plenty of biker-friendly bars along the way.

Other Attractions

Boardwalk/Pier Bike Shows: Near Main Street, you'll find daily bike shows right next to the ocean.

Cabbage Patch Scoles & Coles slaw wrestling: Located in nearby Samsula, this is a notorious, old-school biker tradition usually happening on the Wednesday or Thursday. It's wild, gritty, and very "old Daytona."

Logistics: Surviving the Week

1. Accommodation (The Reality Check)

It is January 2026. Booking a hotel on the beach in Daytona right now for March is likely impossible or astronomically expensive.

Look further out: Try looking inland toward Deland, north toward Palm Coast, or south toward New Smyrna Beach.

Camping: This is how many attendees do it. Major campgrounds like the Cabbage Patch, Fastlane Campground, and various state parks offer tent and RV camping, often with their own nightly parties.

2. Traffic and Bridges

Daytona Beach is a barrier island separated from the mainland by the Halifax River.

The Bridges: The bridges connecting the mainland to the beach side become massive bottlenecks, especially in the late afternoon as people head to Main Street. Plan your movements to avoid crossing the bridges constantly.

Parking: Parking on Main Street is extremely limited and expensive during peak times. Look for public lots a few blocks away or use ride-shares if you plan to drink.

3. Law Enforcement and Safety

Police Presence: There is a massive police presence drawn from across the state.

The Rules: They strictly enforce traffic laws. Helmet laws in Florida differ depending on age and insurance, but eye protection is mandatory.

Zero Tolerance: Do not drink and ride. DUI checkpoints and patrols are aggressive during Bike Week.

5 Insider Tips for the 85th Anniversary

Pace Yourself: It's a 10-day marathon, not a sprint. You can't party on Main Street until 3 AM every night and expect to ride safely the next day.

Carry Cash: While most places take cards, many smaller vendors, parking lots, and quick beer tubs on Main Street prefer or require cash. Wi-Fi/cell signals can get jammed with the crowds, making card readers slow.

Sunblock and Layers: It's Florida in March. It could be 85°F (29°C) and sunny at noon, but drop into the low 50s (10°C) at night once the sun goes down over the ocean. Dress in layers.

The "Two Weekends" Dynamic: The first weekend (March 6-8) is usually the busiest for the street party and Main Street chaos. The second weekend (March 13-15) is more focused on the road racing at the Speedway (Daytona 200) and is slightly (only slightly) calmer on the streets.

Explore Beyond Daytona: Don't just stay on Main Street. The surrounding towns like Port Orange and New Smyrna hold great events and often have better food options without the hour-long waits.