Biker Fest International Is Back For 2020

One of Italy’s best-known and most popular custom bike shows is making its way back to the two-wheel European event schedule this fall. Organizers have announced that the 34th edition of Biker Fest International will be held September 17–20 at the seaside resort town of Lignano Sabbiadoro, a relaxed little burg where Hemingway spent some time and penned a book or two. It’s a welcome bit of news to a country that’s been ravaged by the coronavirus and has had to endure one of Europe’s longest lockdowns, with weary isolated residents only just poking their heads out of doors in the last few weeks.

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The big bike bash takes place across four different areas of the city so that the entire community is involved in the activities, giving it a unique and dynamic feel. Although originally positioned as a European custom show, Biker Fest has evolved over the years, and has expanded to offer off-road and dirt track activities, touring-related areas, as well as a full complement of marques on hand to offer demo rides and showcase new models. But the custom bike vibe lives on, with the Biker Fest Custom Bike Show again holding court as it has in the past (it was once affiliated with the Rat’s Hole Daytona and Sturgis shows).

Also unique to this edition of Biker Fest will be the finale of the Custom Bike Show IMC Championship (Italian Motorcycle Championship) and the only date of the AMD World Custom Bike Show Championship in Italy, so it’ll be hosting some of the most wicked custom bikes in Europe. Prizes include cash, gear, and tickets to upcoming motorcycle trade shows.

A range of other activities and events will be unfolding across the four days, including freestyle motocross shows, a variety of international stunt riders, a large off-road area for racers, organized moto-tours, a series of live entertainment shows by local bands, a Pin-Up Contest, and much more. The E-Mobility Village makes its debut this year as well, giving visitors the chance to demo all types of electric and hybrid vehicles from motorcycles and scooters to ebikes and cars for free, and a new event called the Scrambler Challenge has been added, supposedly the first time that segment will be seeing play at a European show. Major manufacturers will set up shop in the Stadium Zone and will offer more than 2,000 demo rides on new models, and the Parade of Lights, which invites thousands of riders to wind through the city streets, is always a big highlight of the event.

Details are sketchy as far as safety restrictions go, but we’ve heard that Italy is now open to international travel, though we’d recommend checking with the US State Department as well as local authorities for all the facts prior to going.