SEMA Into the Night

Even after the show floor closes each day, the excitement and connections continue

By SEMA Magazine Editors

Without a doubt, the daytime SEMA Show activities at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) comprise the core of the SEMA Week experience. From new-product discovery to visiting exhibitors, learning, networking, and experiencing astonishing vehicle builds and outdoor activations, the Show Halls are where the industry’s business gets done.

But savvy attendees also know how to leverage their evenings. As dusk falls over Las Vegas, they extend their Show discussions and exchange ideas over dinner meetings, receptions and “napkin conversations” all across the city.

Plus, on two special nights—Thursday and Friday—they make sure to mix and mingle with industry peers and enthusiasts through two headline Show events that combine celebration with networking, music and entertainment. As you plan your SEMA Week itinerary, don’t forget to add Thursday’s SEMA Industry Honors at Fontainebleau Las Vegas and Friday’s SEMA Fest 2026 to your list of top after-hours places to be. The following pages present the full rundown.

SEMA Industry Honors

Celebrating Leadership and Drive

BleauLive Theater, Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Thursday, November 5
Starting at 6:00 p.m.

One night, one stage—and an atmosphere of connection, recognition and industry camaraderie you won’t want to miss.

One night, one stage—and an atmosphere of connection, recognition and industry camaraderie you won’t want to miss.

Thursday, November 5, the 2026 SEMA Industry Honors takes over the BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas for an unforgettable evening celebrating the people, companies and innovators advancing the specialty-equipment industry. From SEMA Content Creator of the Year to SEMA Person of the Year and other prestigious honors, this is the industry’s premier night of recognition.

From SEMA Content Creator of the Year to SEMA Person of the Year and other prestigious honors, [the Industry Honors] is the industry’s premier night of recognition.

“The energy in the room at the conclusion of last year’s inaugural SEMA Industry Honors was unmistakable,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “At its heart, this event is about bringing the automotive aftermarket community together to reflect on the past year, celebrate its achievements and recognize the people shaping its future.”

“From Sung Kang sharing his passion for car culture as host to honoring content creator Westen Champlin for the voice and visibility he brings to the industry, the evening was electric. It struck the perfect balance between honoring the traditions that built our industry and celebrating the innovators and influencers driving it forward. Attendees can expect the same high energy at this year’s ceremonies.”

As of press time, the host and lineup for the 2026 Industry Honors had yet to be announced. However, the format for the evening will be similar to the inaugural 2025 event. Attendees will join A-list industry movers and shakers for a cocktail reception beginning at 6:00 p.m., where they’ll have the opportunity to connect with peers, leaders and visionaries from across the aftermarket. After the reception, all will take their seats in the BleauLive theater for the 7:30 p.m. awards ceremony saluting the industry’s brightest stars.

After the reception, all will take their seats in the BleauLive theater for the 7:30 p.m. awards ceremony saluting the industry’s brightest stars.

Tickets are $50 and include hors d’oeuvres and access to an open bar throughout the evening. They can be purchased during the Show registration process online at semashow.com or on-site at the Show registration center in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Seating is limited, so reserve your spot today.

Already registered? Add tickets to your badge through the Show’s Registration Resource Center, (https://tinyurl.com/xpressreg) or contact Registration Customer Service at 508-743-8571 and aapexsema@maritz.com.

Thursday, November 5, the 2026 SEMA Industry Honors takes over the BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas

The 2026 SEMA Industry Honors

• Where: BleauLive Theater, Fontainebleau Las Vegas
• When: Thursday, November 5
• Attire: Cocktail
• Tickets: $50 (includes hors d’oeuvres and access to an open bar). Visit semashow.com/industry-honors for registration.
• Schedule:
  • 6:00 p.m. PST—Cocktail Reception
  • 7:30 p.m. PST—Awards Ceremony

New Changes

• 6:00 p.m.: Networking reception featuring open bars and heavy appetizers
• 7:00 p.m.: Dynamic, faster-paced two-hour awards presentation headlined by a celebrity host.
• 9:00 p.m.: After-Party complete with a DJ, open bars and additional snacks

SEMA Fest 2026

Ready to Rock SEMA Week

LVCC Bronze Lot (adjacent to South Hall)
Friday, November 6
Gates Open at 3:00 p.m.

Returning to close out SEMA Week, SEMA Fest 2026 promises another high-energy celebration of music, motorsports and car culture at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Headlining this year’s Friday, November 6, event is multi-platinum punk-rock powerhouse The Offspring, joined by alternative-rock favorites Jimmy Eat World, genre-blending hitmakers 311 and California rockers The Alive.

“SEMA Fest represents where our industry is headed, at the crossroads of innovation, lifestyle and cultural relevance,” said Gattuso. “By bringing together the world’s premier automotive gathering with iconic music, immersive automotive experiences and enthusiast access, we are creating a powerful platform that expands the reach of car culture, strengthens engagement with new audiences and sends SEMA Week out on a high-energy, high-impact note.”

“SEMA Fest represents where our industry is headed, at the crossroads of innovation, lifestyle and cultural relevance…”

Serving as the official closing celebration of SEMA Week, SEMA Fest transforms the world’s premier automotive trade show into a public festival that extends the excitement of the SEMA Show well beyond the exhibit halls. The day begins inside the LVCC, where the “Friday Experience” allows non-industry automotive enthusiasts special public-ticket access to explore the SEMA Show’s thousands of custom vehicles, more than 2,000 exhibiting brands, and the industry’s newest products and technologies before the SEMA Fest gates open.

As the day progresses, the action moves outdoors for the legendary SEMA Cruise and a full slate of high-intensity automotive attractions. Returning favorites include drifting demonstrations from OPTIMA, the Globe of Death and an impressive display of rare exotics and hypercars presented by Supercar Saturdays Florida.

As the day progresses, the action moves outdoors for the legendary SEMA Cruise and a full slate of high-intensity automotive attractions.

(Above) Returning favorites include drifting demonstrations from OPTIMA, the Globe of Death and an impressive display of rare exotics and hypercars presented by Supercar Saturdays Florida.

As the sun sets, the spotlight shifts to the SEMA Fest stage, where arena-caliber performances from the four nationally recognized bands provide a fitting finale to SEMA Week. Fans can expect to hear iconic hits from The Offspring, Jimmy Eat World and 311, while California rock band The Alive brings its energetic blend of surf, skate and hard-driving rock to the lineup.

As the sun sets, the spotlight shifts to the SEMA Fest stage, where arena-caliber performances from four nationally recognized bands provide a fitting finale to SEMA Week.

Fans can expect to hear iconic hits from The Offspring (left bottom), Jimmy Eat World (left top) and 311, while California rock band The Alive (left middle) brings its energetic blend of surf, skate and hard-driving rock to the lineup.

SEMA Fest continues a tradition that began with the SEMA Cruise in 2011, evolved into SEMA Ignited in 2014 and expanded into the launch of SEMA Fest in 2023. Previous festivals have featured such major acts as Imagine Dragons, Cage the Elephant, Sublime and Queens of the Stone Age, reflecting SEMA’s ongoing commitment to celebrating the connection between automotive enthusiasm and live music.

Beyond the performances, SEMA Fest remains a one-of-a-kind experience where industry professionals, enthusiasts and the public come together to celebrate the lifestyle surrounding automotive culture. Live motorsports demonstrations, featured vehicle displays and immersive automotive experiences continue throughout the evening, ensuring that high-performance excitement remains center stage through the final encore.

For tickets, schedules and additional information, visit SEMAFest.com, and follow @SEMAFestOfficial on social media for the latest updates.

SEMA Fest 2026

• Where: LVCC Bronze Lot (adjacent to South Hall)
• When: Friday, November 6
• Gates Open: at 3:00 p.m.
• Tickets: General admission and VIP concert access tickets are available at semafest.com, as are combined tickets offering entry to both SEMA Fest and SEMA Show Friday public access.
• For the latest updates: follow @SEMAFestOfficial on social media.