Dillon Francis becomes the first headline act of Car Week. His live set will be supported by four live bands throughout evening on August 16, plus special appearance by drifter Mad Mike.
MONTEREY, CA, July 16, 2025. DJ Dillon Francis will be the first headline act to ever appear at Monterey Car Week when he plays a live set at the Monterey Motorsports Festival on August 16. He’ll play a 75min set to close out the show on the Monterey Arena Stage from 9:45PM during the event that runs from 5-11PM on Saturday night.
As its name suggests, Monterey Motorsports Festival is about cars, music and culture. For car enthusiasts, the 22-acre Monterey Fairgrounds – located just three miles from Cannery Row – will be packed with vehicles from every genre. Standout attractions announced to date include the exclusive Car Week appearance of New Zealand drifter and Red Bull athlete, Mad Mike with his MADMAC P1 – a 1000hp Rotary-engined McLaren. Plus the Giugiaro-designed Peralta S will make its US debut and first public appearance since it was unveiled to its owner earlier this year. We’ll have many more automotive announcements in the weeks leading up to the show itself.
For music fans, the Monterey Motorsports Festival will be headlined by platinum-selling superstar DJ, producer and entertainer Dillon Francis. He’s known both for his unique sound – combining EDM, Latin, Trap, and even pop influences into dance anthems – as well as unforgettable live performances, allowing him to carve out a unique position in the world of electronic dance music.
Francis burst onto the scene in 2010 and soon became a founding member of the Moombahton movement before releasing hits such as Get Low (with DJ Snake), Coming Over (with Kygo), and Anywhere. He’s since become a staple at the world’s biggest music festivals, playing everywhere from Coachella and Lollapalooza to EDC and Ultra Music Festival. Francis has also collaborated with a wide range of artists including Diplo, Calvin Harris, Brendon Urie, BabyJake, Yung Gravy, and more.
You can catch Dillon Francis live at Monterey Motorsports Festival 2025, where he’ll headline the Arena Stage on Saturday, August 16, 2025, closing out a night of music, motors, and high-octane celebration during Monterey Car Week.
Supporting him will be musical acts including The Outlaw Mariachi (@theoutlawmariachi) with their own brand of Mariachi-style cover-band rock as well as Don’t Stop Believing (@DSBband), rated as the best Journey cover band in the world. There will also be local bands Latin Jazz Collective and Sensory Tribe to keep the party rolling.
Anybody who doesn’t want to miss the only appearance of Dillon Francis, Mad Mike, the Peralta S, and many more attractions can obtain tickets now from montereymotorsportsfestival.com.
PAOLO MANCA, FOUNDER OF MMF
“After several years fine-tuning Monterey Motorsports Festival, we’re finally in a place to offer something Car Week has never seen before: combining both a top level car show, including a number of new model debuts and motorsports personalities with world class music acts plus local food, wine-tasting and more. And all of this will be available at an accessible price point for an unforgettable Saturday night at Car Week.”
TICKETS
The Monterey Motorsports Festival is intended to appeal to everybody; from car enthusiasts to music fans, wine buffs, and more. It’s also priced to be accessible to everybody. Tickets are available from montereymotorsportsfestival.com at $129. Kids under 12 are admitted free, and there’s a Junior Ticket currently priced at $69 for 13-17 year olds.
Additionally, visitors can upgrade to the Vino & Vibes option at $229, which includes General Admission, access to a curated selection from top wineries, views of the event and exclusive winery access. Vino and Vibes is the perfect way to relax, unwind, and indulge in the finer things.
As in previous years, the 2025 Monterey Motorsports Festival will offer an impressive selection of machines and activities for the entire family. There will be everything from Hypercars and Supercars to American Muscle, Race Cars, Overland & 4-Wheelers, JDM, European and the latest EVs.
*Please note: Monterey Motorsports Festival is a private, ticketed event. Tickets will remain available while supplies last.
EDITOR’S NOTE
A video from Monterey Motorsports Festival 2024 is available to view and share here: youtube.com/watch?v=d3Gm9xiqHbU
ABOUT MONTEREY MOTORSPORTS FESTIVAL
The Monterey Motorsports Festival is the premier Saturday event during car week. It offers an elevated and curated experience, which is affordable for attendees, families, and automotive enthusiasts. This is the only event open to the general public on Saturday night, showcasing automotive unveilings, classic cars, supercars, hypercars, off-road vehicles, motorcycles, live entertainment, curated food and more.
MEDIA CONTACT
Greg Emmerson (greg@theidagency.com)