You do not need to buy a classic car to enjoy a car auction. At McCormick’s, a spectator can make a day of seeing vehicles up close, finding a favorite, and watching the auction unfold.
The key is to arrive with the right expectations. This is a working sale with its own schedule and access arrangements, so a little preparation makes the visit more satisfying.
📅 McCormick’s Auction: Dates, Venue, and Admission
- Dates: Nov. 20–22, 2026.
- Venue: Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 N. Avenida Caballeros, Palm Springs.
- Spectator admission: Friday is free; Saturday and Sunday are $15 per day or $25 for both. Tickets are sold at the gate.
- Auction hours: Friday noon–6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Preview gates open at 8 a.m.
- Schedule and registration: Check the daily schedule, car lots, and bidder-registration links.
McCormick’s Auction Schedule and Location
McCormick’s Palm Springs Car Auction has a recurring schedule in February and November. Always use the announced dates for the edition you plan to attend.
The organizer’s current schedule identifies the Palm Springs Convention Center as the event venue. Its year-round business address is different, so use the event instructions for arrival, parking, and entry.
An auction weekend contains several kinds of activity, including vehicle check-in, previewing, and cars crossing the block. Not every activity is aimed at spectators. Read the public schedule rather than assuming the first listed time is the start of the auction.
Finding Cars in the Auction Lot List
If you are coming to McCormick’s for a particular make, model, or era, browse the available auction lots beforehand. Note the relevant lot numbers and their approximate places in the schedule.
Give yourself time to see cars before they reach the block. Auction pacing can change, and the lot you care about should not be the only reason you arrive at a precise minute.
For a first visit, a good approach is to spend some time walking the display, then settle in to watch a sequence of sales. The contrast between a car on display and a car being offered to bidders is part of the interest.
Spectator Tickets vs. Bidder Registration
Check the current spectator ticket arrangements, including whether admission differs by day. The organizer’s published schedule may offer different pricing or access on different parts of the weekend.
Registering to bid is a separate process. If you are considering buying, read the auction’s current terms and ask the organizer about registration requirements, charges, payment, documentation, and collection.
A visitor guide is not a vehicle inspection or a valuation. Arrange any independent assessment you need before deciding to bid. The pace and excitement of the room are good reasons to know your limits in advance.
Parking, Walking, and Planning Your Auction Day
Allow time for parking and the route to the public entrance. Wear comfortable shoes, and plan for the conditions in the areas you expect to visit.
If you are traveling with someone who only wants a short look, agree on a meeting point and a rough finish time. A meal afterward can give the day a natural endpoint without requiring everyone to follow every lot.
Staying overnight may help if you want to attend more than one day. Our convention-center hotel guide is useful for comparing location, while the downtown hotel guide can help if dinner and evening outings are equally important.
Pairing the Auction With El Paseo Cruise Night
Use our desert classic-car events guide to compare the auction format with El Paseo Cruise Night in Palm Desert. They offer different kinds of access and atmosphere, so choose each for its own appeal.
For a broader weekend, add one other activity nearby rather than stacking the day with distant stops. The cars deserve time, and the auction will be more enjoyable when you are not watching the clock for the next cross-valley drive.