Since its inception in 2009, Overland Expo has grown exponentially, expanded to five events across the United States, each featuring hundreds of vendors, over 100 presenters, trainers, and VIPs, and nearly 500 session hours of education. With so much to do during the event, it can be both exhilarating and a bit overwhelming for the first-time attendee to an Overland Expo.
Here’s a brief introduction to what we have going on, along with some tips to get you going, whether you’re an Overland Expo veteran or a newcomer experiencing all the excitement for the first time.
Things to Do Before You Arrive
First things first. If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, head over here and do that. With your tickets in hand, be sure to download the Overland Expo app from your phone’s app store (links below). The official app gives you access to the event map, event schedule, and an easy way to find the vendors or classes you are looking for. Once you have the app, be sure to select “Overland Expo East 2025” as the event and let it download the event-specific data.
Once you arrive, the overland world is your oyster. Here are the highlights to get you on your way:
Educational Opportunities
A huge part of our event revolves around education. Classes are open to everyone and run all day long in our education pavilion, and the DIY area. There are a ton of classes ranging from cooking classes to electrical and solar systems, first aid on the road, border crossings, navigation, and nearly two hundred other classes.
We have a number of education areas dedicated to overland instruction. Each of these locations have an broad focus or educational theme tying the classes offered there together.
For people newer to the overlanding world or people looking to refresh their skills, be sure to check out the classes in the Overland Essentials Area sponsored by Midland Radio. There you can get a thorough education on foundational skills like trip planning, map reading and navigation, communications, and what to do if something goes wrong, among many other topics. Highlights include Graham Jackson’s How to Plan Your Overland Trip, a perennial favorite, and Scott Jensen’s Overland Radio 101, along with a host of other great classes from new and returning instructors.
For those looking to deepen their backcountry skills or up their camp cooking game, there will be classes just for you all weekend long at the Backcountry & Culinary Pavilion. Among the laundry list of great classes offered, check out “Ceviche in the Wild” with Top Chef Alum Chad White and “Wild” Cocktails with Lee “Natty” Trebotich.
The Women Who Wander programming has been an increasingly popular part of Overland Expo since its start just a few years ago. Come to the Women Who Wander Pavilion sponsored by U-Haul International, where a wide variety of women-oriented classes, roundtables, and get togethers will offered throughout the event. Classes range from tips on offroad driving to mastering your offroad vehicle components, to safety and security as a solo female adventurer. Come help kick off the weekend’s adventures on Friday at 9:00 am for the Welcome and Community Conversation for Women Who Wander (or Who Think They Might Like to).
For those wanting to go deeper into a topic, the Round Table Pavilion hosts roundtable panels and Q&A sessions with our experts. Topics vary across a broad range from budgeting to travel medicine to bringing your pet along for the adventure. Additionally, there are a number of regional Q&A’s happening all weekend long. If there’s a destination, domestic or abroad you’ve been dreaming about, there’s probably a roundtable for you. Here’s your chance to interact with the people who have done what you want to do.
If you have kids with you, be sure to check out the Kids Adventure Area, where we have kid-centric classes and adventure activities running all weekend long. The Kids’ RC Driving course is a particularly popular option. While the education is oriented toward kids, there is still a lot of great content for parents looking to bone up on their backcountry skills alongside the next generation of overlanders. One important note – parents need to stay with their kids at these classes.
Check out the Overland Expo app for a full schedule of classes.
Vendors
No doubt, the vendor area is one of the most popular parts of Overland Expo. This year, our East event will have hundreds of vendors, with the list of exhibitors growing every day. Just about anything overland-related you can imagine can be found for sale, but the most enjoyable thing may be just wandering around and discovering new and interesting kit. You’ll find some in-booth demos, giveaways, and demonstrations going on in the vendor area – a further reward for wandering about a bit. The complete list of vendors can be found here.
You’ll find exclusive deals aplenty throughout the area, with some vendors offering their best prices of the year. If there is something particular you are looking for, check out our evolving show specials list to see some of the best deals to be had.
READ MORE: Overland Expo East 2025 Programming Overview
Relax at the Bivvys
Our bivvys are the perfect place to take a seat, recharge your phone, fill your water bottle, and plan your next move. We also have a number of informal, small group classes taking place at the bivvy in the Showcase and DIY Area throughout the weekend.
Evening Festivities
While you will spend your days attending classes, visiting our amazing vendors, and dreaming about your next overland adventure, we’ve got plenty in store for you in the evening with the hub of activities occurring at the Oasis Bar & Food Court sponsored by Blue Compass RV / Airstream of Virginia.
Friday night, start off at 5:00 pm with the Happy Hour sponsored by Torque Wheels. Enjoy refreshments, live music, and a chance to get to know thousands of your fellow overlanders at the Oasis Bar & Food Court sponsored by Blue Compass RV / Airstream of Virginia.
After Happy Hour winds down head over to the Camp Subaru LIVE! party from 7 PM to 9 PM at the Subaru Booth for an intimate, music-filled celebration. With snacks, beer, wine, and live tunes, it’s a laid-back, welcoming space open to all Expo attendees — the perfect finale to a jam-packed day.
Or, head to the OK4WD × Mountain State Overland Video Premiere at 7 PM for an exclusive first look at their latest film. Bring your own camp chair, grab a drink, and settle in for an evening of adventure on the big screen. There’s even a raffle, giving you the chance to take home some incredible prizes.
Saturday night takes things to another level with a full slate of events. It begins with Happy Hour sponsored by Toyo Tires, from 5 PM to 7 PM. Once again, the Oasis will be buzzing with activity, the perfect spot to relax and recharge before heading into a night of connection and community.
Inspiring stories take center stage from 6 PM to 7 PM at the Women Who Wander Networking Event. Gather next to a warm campfire to celebrate the incredible women shaping the off-road and overlanding world. With drinks, snacks, and shared experiences, it’s a heartfelt highlight of the weekend and a can’t miss event for anyone looking to connect with fellow adventurers.
Be sure to stick around after it for the Overland Expo Foundation Raffle which kicks off at 7:00 pm. The mountain of raffle prizes grows bigger and bigger every event with some truly impressive gear that just might be going home with you.
Ready to Join Us?
Now that you know what to expect and what can’t be missed, click the link below to make sure you join in on the fun in just a few short weeks in Arrington, Virginia.
