If you’re a car enthusiast, you’ve most likely been to a car show or two in your lifetime. These events feature prized vehicles from fellow car lovers, collectors, and drivers, and are can’t-miss affairs for any motorhead seeking like-minded individuals and to gawk at their rides.

Participants usually line up in designated parking lots or fairgrounds, with weekly, monthly, or, for larger-scale events, yearly meetups that attract attendees from all over. They can’t wait to show off their modern, vintage, and classic car collections, and show-goers can’t resist admiring their vehicles.

Car shows aren’t just about admiring cool rides—they’re a chance for car fans to come together and celebrate their shared passion. These events bring enthusiasts from all walks of life to swap stories, check out new builds, and enjoy the company of others who love cars just as much as they do.

Woodward Dream Cruise

Since 1995, the Woodward Dream Cruise has been a stand-out car event and is the largest single-day show in the country geared toward automotives. The one-day celebration occurs every August in Detroit, Michigan, attracting over one million car enthusiasts and over 40,000 classic cars traveling worldwide each year, as per their website.

Those are impressive statistics, especially considering the Woodward Dream Cruise started as a volunteer fundraiser to raise money to build a soccer field in their close-knit town of Ferndale. The event’s participation truly skyrocketed from there, and they’re ringing in their 30th show on August 16, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In the past, this event has featured a classic car parade, an emergency vehicle show, and shows for a variety of specific car brands. There’s also an annual 5k run named Cruise in Shoes that takes place the morning of, and live entertainment, making it a fun time for all.

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

This event will take place during the iconic Monterey Car Week. Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is one of the largest classic car shows in the world (and the most prestigious, per their website). The event is known for its extravagant entry fees (general admission tickets cost $495, while VIPs are as high as $4,500), making it an elite celebration only for the biggest car lovers. The show is being held on August 17, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Pebble Beach, California, marking its 74th anniversary.

The event first occurred in 1950, showcasing the world’s rarest, expensive, and stunning vintage cars, and the tradition has continued. There’s also fierce competition between the participants, battling for the crown of Best of Show, which includes over 200 vehicles from over a dozen countries taking part.

If you can’t attend the Concours de’Elegance, there are also plenty of free car meet-ups around Monterey during that week and prime car spotting opportunities for those who want to catch a glimpse of the eye-catching rides rolling in along the coastline.

Check out Monterey’s official website for the full lineup.

Hot August Nights

Thousands flock to Reno, Nevada, each summer for Hot August Nights, the largest nostalgic car show in the nation. Over 10 days (the next being August 1 to 10, 2025), the event features classic cars manufactured before 1979, a live DJ, drag races, cruises, and music performances.

One of the highlights is the HAN Event Series, with owners of classic cars competing for their rides to be showcased at the Grand Finale, the last night of the series. Categories include classic stock, rod, custom, truck, and more. The Grand Champion wins a $5,000 cash prize and is featured in Hot August Nights’ press. Additional information, including the event schedule, VIP offerings, and volunteer opportunities, is available on their website.

Iola Old Car Show

For over 50 years, the Iola Old Car Show has been held in Iola, Wisconsin, and it’s returning to the grounds at 350 Chrome Place from July 10 to 12, 2025. The show boasts over 130,000 attendees and 2,500 cars, including classic cars from all eras.

Regular attendees have been eager for the annual event’s kick-off, especially after seeing the Iola-Scandinavian School District high schoolers preparing the grounds in a recent video posted on the car show’s Facebook page.

Another exciting component of the show is the Car Corral, a designated area (400 sites!) where patrons can sell their vehicles without going to auction. There’s even a special swap area for people to display their cars that aren’t running and need extra tender loving care. The Iola Old Car Show is the place to be for anyone looking for another vehicle to add to their collection!

Japanese Classic Car Show

The Japanese Classic Car Show in Long Beach, California, is the first car show dedicated to old Japanese domestic market (JDM) vehicles in the U.S. For the past 20 years, car enthusiasts have been able to check out vintage Japanese cars owned by locals and big names. Many awards are also given out for various categories, like overall Best of JCCS, Best Toyota, and Best Unique USDM, based on the 2023 award categories listed on their website.

The Japanese Classic Car Show also boasts local food vendors, those selling JDM-related products, live shows, and a growing motorcycle show for guests’ enjoyment. The October 11, 2025, show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. will be extra special as it commemorates 20 years since the JCCS began at Marina Green Park. A major highlight fans won’t want to miss is the opportunity to meet Peter Brock, founder of Brock Racing Enterprises, team owner, and racing manager.

Pre-purchased adult tickets are $20 online, $25 the day of the show, and free to kids under 12.

Cruisin’ the Coast

Every fall, what’s been dubbed “America’s largest block party” returns to the Mississippi coast. We’re talking about Cruisin’ the Coast, which has brought all types of vehicles together for a massive beachside car show focusing on classics since 1996. Attendees can view over 7,000 vehicles up close, including antiques, hot rods, and more.

The event, running from October 5 to 12, 2025 (one year shy of their 30th anniversary), gives participants the chance to cruise to different venues along the coast, each with its own attractions such as music, food, parades, auctions, and swap meets. This year also includes a new event separate from the main cruise called the Grand Slam Jam at Keesler Federal Park from noon to 10 p.m., featuring Chapel Hart, Tab Benoit, Amanda Shaw, Taj Farrant, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr, Bonerama, and Leilani Kilgore.

See Cruisin’ the Coast’s website for further details.

NSRA Street Rod Nationals

The National Street Rod Association’s (NSRA) Street Rod Nationals has been around for decades, celebrating passenger cars or trucks over 30 years old. This summer marks the annual event’s 56th year, inviting spectators to check out their collection of old vehicles with unique aesthetics. This includes a wide selection of street rods, as well as a swap meet and kid and exhibition areas from July 31 to August 3, 2025, at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

Show-goers can also look forward to the NSRA’s Women’s World, where women highlight their street rods, connect with other female car enthusiasts, and compete in specific categories. Registration forms are available on their website, with spaces costing a minimum of $250 each.

MSRA Back to the 50s Weekend

Travel back in time with the Midwest summer event, the Minnesota Street Rod Association’s (MSRA) Back to the 50s, where over 10,000 registered vehicles manufactured in 1964 or earlier are showcased throughout the three-day affair (June 20 to 22, 2025).

Attendees will find all types of older vehicles, including hot rods, customs, and stock classics, excluding Mustangs, which are prohibited (via MSRA’s website).

Along with the ’50s theme, music from that era is played throughout the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, where the show is held. The festivities include a massive swap meet and The Great Race, a distance rally featuring a range of classic vehicles kicking off at Back to the 50s Weekend and venturing 2,300 miles across multiple states over nine days. Participants have a chance of winning $160,000 throughout the five classes in the race.

Visit The Great Race’s website for information on how to enter.

Start Planning

Whether you drive a classic hot rod, a low rider, or a luxury sports car, there are car shows happening nationwide all year long where you can meet other car enthusiasts and their showstopping vehicles. The car shows we highlighted are just some of the buzzed-about events to anticipate in 2025, and others might even be closer to home.

We encourage you to research the shows you want on your bucket list and start planning your road trip so you won’t miss a beat of the parades, swap meets, exhibits, and more!

This post originally appeared on Guessing Headlights and has been republished with permission.