The Aurora

Båstad sits on the Swedish west coast, 150 kilometres north of Copenhagen, in a setting that has more in common with the French Riviera than most Scandinavian towns. Norrviken Gardens is a formal botanical garden on the water, designed in the early twentieth century and since used, among other things, to host this. The Aurora is now in its third year: early enough to watch it develop, late enough to know it's serious.

The format runs across three days from 26 to 28 June and is built around a dual concours, with classic cars and hypercars judged separately, each with its own Best of Show. This is unusual, and it works. The 2025 edition included the world premiere of the Koenigsegg Sadair's Spear and four BMW Art Cars with canvases by Warhol, Calder, Lichtenstein, and Koons. For 2026, new elements include The Aurora Symphony, a composed sound experience using ten running supercars, and The Aurora Luminaries, a parallel jury of content creators judging on visual presence rather than provenance.

The wider programme extends to Båstad Harbour, where the yacht show runs alongside the automotive content. Fashion presentations, Aurora Talks, and a Vogue Scandinavia lounge could easily feel diluted, but the dual concours format keeps the automotive core intact. Concours participants get a pre-event tour to the Koenigsegg factory in Ängelholm, 45 minutes south and not otherwise accessible. That detail alone is worth knowing.

The recommended route from abroad is Copenhagen Airport, then a direct train to Båstad Station, around two hours total and a short walk from the venue. Ängelholm Airport is the alternative for private aircraft. Driving from Copenhagen via the Øresund Bridge and the E6 north covers the same distance in around 90 minutes.