Quick Facts:
- Event: Overland Expo East 2026, which the organizer calls the final Overland Expo event of the year
- Dates: Friday, Oct 23, to Sunday, Oct 25
- Show hours: 9 am to 5 pm Friday and Saturday, 9 am to 3 pm Sunday
- Location: Oak Ridge Estate, Arrington, Virginia
- Exhibitors: 200+
- Jeep course: All day Friday to Sunday, register at booth T80
- Film festival: Friday, 7 to 9 pm
- Parking: $10 per car per day, sold separately
- Camping: Forest and Premium are sold out. Confirm General and Moto before you drive.
- Best for: Overlanders, Jeep owners, and gear shoppers
 5 min read
In This Guide
Overland Expo East 2026 Overview
Overland Expo East opens Friday, Oct 23, at Oak Ridge Estate in Arrington, Virginia, and runs through Sunday, Oct 25. The Blue Ridge show brings 200+ exhibitors, a Jeep Ride and Drive course, and a Friday night film festival. Organizers call it the final Overland Expo of 2026.
Camping runs from Thursday morning to Monday morning. However, Forest Camping and Premium Camping have sold out, according to the organizer. The ticket page listed General and Moto camping as filling up fast, so confirm availability before you drive.
Cold mornings need a plan, especially in late October. The organizer’s packing list warns about cool mornings and falling temperatures after sunset, and it tells you to bring a layer. For a warm night first, see our camping sleep system picks.
If you camp, three basics make dark, cold mornings easier: light, a seat, and something hot to hold. The Black Diamond Spot 400 headlamp offers 400 lumens and a red night vision mode. Also, the Helinox Chair One weighs 2.1 pounds, while the Stanley Classic Legendary Camp Mug holds 12 ounces.
Cold-morning camp comfort
Helinox Chair One Original Lightweight Compact Collapsible Camping …
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | Friday, Oct 23, to Sunday, Oct 25, 2026 |
| Venue | Oak Ridge Estate, Arrington, Virginia |
| Show hours | Friday and Saturday 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday 9 am to 3 pm |
| Exhibitors | 200+ overland, camping, adventure travel, and motorcycle brands |
| Education | 175+ classes, slideshows, demos, and activities |
| Jeep course | Wrangler and Gladiator, all day Friday to Sunday, booth T80 |
| Film festival | Friday 7 to 9 pm, four films with filmmaker Q&A |
| Parking | $10 per car per day, sold separately, no overnight parking on day tickets |
| Camping | Thursday morning to Monday morning, Forest and Premium sold out |
Check the organizer’s ticket page before you buy, because the official site lists several ticket prices and age rules. Day passes exist for each show day, along with a weekend pass.
Jeep Ride and Drive at Booth T80
Jeep brings its off-road course to Arrington, and the Jeep Ride and Drive runs all day on all three show days. Specifically, obstacles on the course highlight ground clearance, traction, stability, and suspension articulation. The course features the Wrangler and Gladiator, and you register at booth T80.
Jeep also shows outfitted overland concepts, runs product demonstrations, and hands out giveaways. In addition, attendees register for a chance to win a $100,000 prize toward a new Stellantis vehicle from brands including Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Chrysler, and Fiat. Official rules and eligibility requirements apply. Read the full details on the organizer’s Ride and Drive page.
I have owned five Jeeps, including two Wranglers and a Gladiator, so booth T80 is where I would start. Wrangler owners should also read our guide to what to keep within reach in a Wrangler.
Evenings at Overland Expo East
The show does not stop at 5 pm. Happy hours run from 5 to 7 pm Thursday through Saturday at the Oasis Bar & Food Court, which Nexen Tire America sponsors. Overland Expo Foundation sponsors Thursday, General RV sponsors Friday, and Toyo Tires sponsors Saturday. However, Thursday’s happy hour opens only to campers and exhibitors.
The film festival, sponsored by Midland Radio, starts Friday at 7 pm in the outdoor space beside the Oasis. Four films screen, along with Q&A sessions with the filmmakers. The lineup includes Sea2Sea GMRS Repeater Project, a Baja radio-repeater mission. Also on the bill is a 13-minute cut of a 142-day, 13,226-mile trip in a 2005 Toyota Tacoma. Then come Perseverance, a solo motorcycle ride through the Americas, and a Hammer Down 7 trailer from the Transamerica Trail.
Other evening options overlap, however, so choose early. Camp Subaru LIVE! runs Friday from 7 to 9 pm at booth A300. On Saturday, the Overland Expo Foundation raffle runs from 7 to 9 pm at the Oasis. Campers and exhibitors also have the option of adding Thursday’s new charity dinner, which runs from 6 to 8 pm.
Show Specials and Gear to Check
Since Oct 6, the organizer has listed show specials from 19 exhibitors and promised more, so check its event page for the current list. For example, HEST at booth B408 lists 20% off plus free shipping, and TRAILVISION OPTICS lists 15% off everything. Meanwhile, Genesis Offroad at booth B423 lists 10% off, and Rhino USA at booth T11 lists East-only discounts.
Decide what your rig needs before you walk the floor. Three basics give you a baseline to compare with booth offers: MAXTRAX MKII traction boards, an ARB E-Z Deflator kit, and a Rhino USA soft shackle two-pack. Also read our kinetic rope versus snatch strap comparison for the pulling side of your kit.
Recovery and tire basics
ARB ARB505 Deflator Kit 10-60 PSI Tire Pressure Gauge Rapid Air Dow…
What This Means for You
First, pick your day by your goal. Friday gives you the Jeep course by day and a 7 pm choice between the film festival and Camp Subaru LIVE!, since both start then. Saturday adds a 5 to 7 pm happy hour and the Overland Expo Foundation raffle from 7 to 9 pm, both at the Oasis. Finally, Sunday closes at 3 pm, two hours earlier, so visit your must-see booths in the morning.
Weighing a day trip against camping? Day tickets do not include camping or overnight parking, and parking costs $10 per car per day. Campers also get Thursday evening, including the 5 to 7 pm happy hour at the Oasis. However, the organizer lists Forest and Premium camping as sold out, so expect a day trip, or General camping if spots remain.
Pack layers and supportive shoes, because the organizer’s packing list stresses both. If you camp, bring a bike, because the organizer calls the venue bike-friendly. Also download the official Overland Expo app before you arrive, as it holds the map and schedule.
For context on the series, our best products from Overland Expo Mountain West shows what exhibitors brought earlier in the 2026 series.
Final Thoughts
Overland Expo Virginia gives you one weekend to test gear, sit in classes, and meet other overlanders. Before you go, make a plan: pick a day, mark the Jeep course, and check the specials list. I have a lot of love for the Jeep brand, so the Ride and Drive is the stop I would not skip. For tickets and the live schedule, use the organizer’s event page.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Overland Expo East 2026?
The show runs Friday, Oct 23, through Sunday, Oct 25. Hours are 9 am to 5 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 9 am to 3 pm on Sunday.
Where is the show held?
Overland Expo Virginia takes place at Oak Ridge Estate in Arrington, in Nelson County. The venue sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.
Is camping available on site?
Yes. Camping runs from Thursday morning to Monday morning. The organizer lists Forest Camping and Premium Camping as sold out, so check the ticket page for General and Moto camping.
How much is parking at the show?
Parking costs $10 per car per day and sells separately. Day tickets exclude overnight parking.
How many people attend Overland Expo East?
The organizer describes thousands of overlanders from around the world. Its ticket page says Overland Expo East 2025 welcomed over 14,000 attendees. The organizer lists no attendance figure for 2026.
Who exhibits at Overland Expo East?
More than 200 exhibitors sell overland, adventure travel, outdoor, camping, and motorcycle gear. Find the full list on the organizer’s event page.
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