Save the date for the annual festival
commemorating the birthplace of the Corvette Concept: Watkins Glen, NY!
2027 marks the 74th anniversary of the Corvette, designed and engineered by General Motors chief stylist Harley J. Earl, who was inspired while attending the 1951 races at Watkins Glen. The first Corvette, quickly dubbed “America’s Sports Car,” thrilled onlookers at the races at the Glen just two years later.
Corvette Thunder in the Glen, May 14-15, 2027, celebrates Harley Earl’s legacy with two days of unforgettable Corvette experiences in the Village of Watkins Glen and at the historic Watkins Glen International racetrack.
Kick off the weekend Friday evening with a Meet & Greet Sunset Dinner on Seneca Lake at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, featuring special guest of honor Kevin Mackay, renowned Corvette restorer, historian, and author known as “The Corvette Hunter.” Enjoy a full buffet, lakeside views, and an evening of great conversation with fellow Corvette enthusiasts and one of the most respected names in Corvette history.
Then on Saturday, downtown Watkins Glen roars to life with hundreds of Corvettes lining Franklin Street, live music, food vendors, shopping, and family-friendly activities. Registered Corvette owners can choose from several unique experiences, including escorted laps of the historic original Grand Prix circuit, a judged National Corvette Museum showcase, and optional laps at Watkins Glen International.
Celebrate speed, style, and Corvette heritage all weekend long!
Friday’s dinner and Saturday’s Corvette experiences are ticketed events, with registration packages NOW OPEN. Spectators are always free and are invited to enjoy the downtown festivities and see these incredible cars up close.
This Watkins Glen Promotions event promises to be a memorable experience for Corvette owners, collectors, racing enthusiasts, and fans of America’s Sports Car!
Information regarding Keynote Speaker Ron Fellows:
“Ron Fellows’ impressive skill as a driver for the Corvette Racing Team has earned him the respect of Corvette fans everywhere. His 27 wins, three ALMS championships and two wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, along with his unprecedented four consecutive “Most Popular Driver” awards from ALMS fans, testify to his track record of success. Although he has not raced for the factory team since 2008, he remains one of the most recognizable, respected and popular personalities to ever represent Corvette’s racing heritage. As evidence of his enormous popularity, GM paid tribute to Ron by creating the “Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06” in 2007.
While he still races in NASCAR events and is tied with Terry Labonte for the most road course wins in NASCAR history, Ron has served as an advisor for the GM/Pratt & Miller factory team and an ambassador for Corvette in general, showing up at races, Corvette Corrals, Corvette functions and charities, often auctioning off passes to the Ron Fellows Driving School for worthwhile causes.”
-National Corvette Museum
2026 Comments? Click here to submit feedback to our team
We take all feedback seriously and would like to hear from you! Click here to access our google form for general event feedback. Feedback will be open until 8/30/2026.
Register Online
Sponsorship Packages
We Need your help! register to volunteer here!
Many shifts and different types of activities involved. Please take a look; this festival cannot happen without volunteers.
Our 50/50 Fundraiser is LIVE
The History of Corvette And Watkins Glen
Kip Zeiter from the International Motor Racing Research Center, wrote an excellent article regarding the beginnings of the Corvette Concept at Watkins Glen. This was published by Vette Vues.
Our Official Hotel Partners
We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with the The Harbor Hotel, our Friday Dinner location, and premier hotel in Watkins Glen. They will be offering a room block for the weekend of our festival to our registrants and attendees! For more information, please call them at (607) 535-6116, and mention the Corvette: Thunder in the Glen to receive the rate. Any unused rooms will be open to the public as of 2/28/2027.
We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with the Seneca Lodge. Nestled in the hills above Seneca Lake and located a stone’s throw from the gorge in Watkins Glen State Park the Seneca Lodge has been a landmark for vacationers, sportsmen and racing enthusiasts for more than 50 years. They will be offering discounted rates for the weekend of our festival to our registrants and attendees! For more information and to reserve a room, you must call their location directly at 607-535-2014.
We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with the The Hotel Radisson Corning, a fan favorite local hotel right near Market Street. They will be offering discounted rates for the weekend of our festival to our registrants and attendees! For more information and to reserve a room, click the link below or call 607-962-5000, and mention the Corvette: Thunder in the Glen to receive the rate. Any unused rooms will be open to the public as of 4/1/2026.
Rain or Shine
Friday
May 14th, 2027
5:00–8:00 PM | Meet & Greet: Sunset Dinner on Seneca Lake
📍 Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel
- Kick off Corvette Thunder in the Glen with a lakeside sunset dinner overlooking Seneca Lake
- Full buffet dinner and appetizers
- Meet and mingle with fellow Corvette enthusiasts
- Special Guest of Honor: Kevin Mackay, renowned Corvette restorer, historian, author, and “The Corvette Hunter”
- Hear stories and insights from one of the most respected names in Corvette history
- Ticketed Event | Limited to 225 participants
Saturday
May 15th, 2027
Corvette Thunder Takes Over Downtown Watkins Glen!
12:00–4:00 PM | Corvettes on Franklin Street
📍 Downtown Watkins Glen
- Hundreds of Corvettes will line Franklin Street in the heart of downtown Watkins Glen
- Stroll through the display and get an up-close look at Corvettes spanning generations, styles, and eras
- Enjoy live music throughout the afternoon
- Grab a bite from local food vendors
- Browse local shops and vendors throughout the downtown district
- Bring the family to enjoy our Family Zone
- Meet Corvette owners and enthusiasts from near and far
- Experience Watkins Glen’s racing heritage in the very streets where the sport’s history began
12:00–4:00 PM | National Corvette Museum Downtown Showcase
- See a special judged Corvette showcase presented in partnership with the National Corvette Museum
- Admire some of the most unique and impressive Corvettes gathered in downtown Watkins Glen
- Enjoy the sights, sounds, food, shopping, and activities happening throughout the festival
Throughout the Afternoon | Historic Grand Prix Circuit Laps
- Watch registered Corvettes take to the historic original Grand Prix Racing Circuit
- See these iconic cars retrace the roads where Watkins Glen’s racing history began
- Experience the sights and sounds of Corvette Thunder as the cars make their way through the historic circuit
Our 2027 Sponsors
This festival would not be possible without help from our generous sponsors.
Title Sponsor: Elm Chevrolet
Platinum Level Sponsor: The Family of the late Dr. Renato J Rojas
Partnership with National Corvette Museum
Partnership with the International Motor Racing Research Center
Watkins Glen Promotions Events are in-part supported by the Tourism Assistance Program through Schuyler County and the Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce.
Watkins Glen Promotions Events are in-part supported by the Tourism Assistance Program through Schuyler County and the Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce. We encourage you to visit the Chamber’s Visitor Site, Explore Watkins Glen, by clicking the link below.