Event Schedule

CarFest is a free event. Parking is a separate fee paid at the gate.

Friday, April 4th from 6-10 p.m. Saturday, April 5th from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday, April 6, 2025 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Profits raised through CarFest go to scholarships for automotive technical programs in San Antonio. Since its creation in 2016, CarFest has awarded $497,000 in scholarships for area auto tech programs.

CarFest works with San Antonio nonprofits to select the 25 recepients of car repairs. Individuals must be nominated through a nonprofit in order to be considered for a car repair. To learn more about nonprofits we have worked with in the past, visit our charities page.

CarFest givesaway a car every two hours on Saturday and Sunday. Those interested in winning a car will collect a ticket at the event and visit the six zones to collect a stamp. Each entry must be dropped it in the barrel to be considered.  Please note to be eligible to win participants, must:  1. Be present to win 2. Be 18 yrs old or older with a valid license 3. Provide proof of liability insurance 4. Be a Texas Resident or Active Duty Military Residing in Texas

The event takes place on Friday, April 10, 2026, from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM inside the Freeman Expo Hall Mainstage, San Antonio, TX.

Yes, you will need to leave your food truck overnight on Friday and Saturday night.

Set up can be as early as 12 PM Friday. Volunteers will be there helping with CarFest set up so you can sell them lunch. Break down would be 6:30 PM Sunday when the event closes.

You must be ready and set up by 4:30 PM on Friday, and food trucks must be open by 10 AM on Saturday and Sunday. You can set up as early as 8:30 AM Saturday and Sunday.

It's the vendor's responsibility to acquire needed city and state permits. Must have proper up-to-date food and sanitation certification. Must provide an original Certificate of Insurance. Once you are fully licensed, insured, and compliant mobile food vehicles may participate. Please remember to bring your documents to the weekend of CarFest.

Once you fill out your online application we will need: - Photo of your food truck (For Proper Placement: Left or right serving) - Copy of your Mobile Food License - Copy of your Texas Sales Tax Certificate of Registration - Copy of your Certificate of Insurance - A menu of your food items

The fee to be a regular food truck vendor is $75, this doesn't include electricity.

Electricity is not included in the regular food truck fee, which is $75. BUT, if you want electricity, if you join the food truck competition for a fee of $250, you will receive electricity.

You will be able to keep 90% of your gross profits, but you will need to give 10% of your gross profit to CarFest.

If you are a regular food truck vendor, yes you will need to bring a generator. If you are a part of our food truck competition then electricity is already included in the fee, so you wouldn't need a generator.

Thank you for your contribution to CarFest! Monetary donations go toward costs to put on CarFest,

Giveaway cars may need repairs to prepare them for CarFest. This included purchasing parts for the vehicle in order to get them in tip-top condition.

We have a range of sponsorship packages including, Presenting Sponsors, Advocate Sponsors, Patron Sponsors, Official Media Sponsors, Supporting Sponsors. Sponsorship levels can start as low as $750 We will tailor-fit a package designed for the company and encourage interested parties to reach out to admin@carfest.org.

Yes! Contact CarFest at admin@carfestsa.org to learn more about how multiple parties can customize a sponsorship package.

Your car donation can be used in one of three ways. 1. We will sell the vehicle the funds are used for future cars or car parts to be a part of the Cars for Community program. 2. Use the car for parts to repair an already acquired giveaway car or we will sell parts for funds for future cars or car parts to be a part of the Cars for Community program. 3. Your vehicle will be repaired and included in the 10-car giveaway group on Saturday & Sunday of the event! Each of these pathways support CarFest's overall mission to unite the automotive community. It also supports our efforts to bring the transportation gap for individuals and families, supporting automotive trades programs and fostering a better community.

We accept cars, trucks and SUVs of all makes and models.

CarFest will take care of the paperwork and details needed to complete the vehicle donation process.

CarFest will take care of transferring documentation to ensure that the vehicle's ownership is transferred successfully.

CarFest determines the market value of the donation by inspecting the car’s condition and history. To get a better understanding of the value of your vehicle, visit Kelly Blue Book at www.kbb.com.

Yes! Since CarFest is a part of a registered 501(c)3 charity, all donations are tax-deductible. CarFest will provide the relevant documentation to record the deduction value for your taxes.

Yes! Contact CarFest at (210) 308-7424 to go over the details and schedule a pickup.

A: No

A: Due to the size and logistics, we do not allow signups after the online registration closes

A: Generally, one week before the event, which will be on 03/29/24

Yes, Sign Up Genius has a breakdown of time and multiple shifts to select. During the event - not all shifts will be available for volunteers to select.

A: No, you are asked to fulfill the shift you signed up for. Should an area open up for assistance, we will contact you if hours are needed from a volunteer.

A: No more than 30 minutes before your scheduled start time.

A: Not necessarily during your shift but you do have to use it before the end of the day. A new one will be provided to you the next day.

A: Yes

A: Friday - 12PM-10PM Saturday -10AM-10PM Sunday -10AM-6PM

A: Yes, for an extra charge

A: No

A: Please send an email to volunteer@carfestsa.org as soon as you know you will not be able to work.

A: No, that includes other registered volunteers

You will receive a parking map document with instructions on where to park after your shift is assigned on Sign Up Genius.