These are the 5 must-see car shows this summer

Car shows are a great way for enthusiasts to indulge their hobbies, and summer is by far the best time of year to go there and enjoy them. It can be difficult to decide which shows are actually worth attending or not, since there are literally hundreds of shows to choose from each summer, gearheads are spoiled for choice. That’s why we’ve highlighted our must-watch shows this summer.

Our top summer car shows are all family-friendly, big enough to keep everyone busy for at least an entire day, and they all feature a good mix of different car styles on display. Classic Americana is covered heavily (who doesn’t love seeing hot rods and old-school muscle cars gleaming in the sun?), but the five shows below promise a great selection of vintage and classic favorites along with modern exotics. We’ve also included a mix of inclusive and more exclusive shows. So, while some will be free or very affordable, others will be more expensive bucket-list destinations. Still, all of our top picks are absolutely worth a look and budget for. Regardless of which of these shows you decide to go to, don’t forget the unwritten rules of car show etiquette.

Located in Iola, Wisconsin, this show is exactly what it says: a good old-fashioned car show with a swap meet thrown in for good measure. For vintage car fans, there is nothing better than wandering around in a meeting like this, searching for that elusive spare part amidst a treasure trove of other such goodies. With 4,000 swap places – one of America’s largest swap meets – you have a good chance of finding exactly what you’re looking for at the show. And for anyone who just wants to see great cars, the 2,500 show cars on display should tick that box too. Meanwhile, JDM fans will no doubt be pleased to hear that Sung Kang will also be in attendance. Best known for his iconic role as Han in the Fast & Furious franchise, Kang will be promoting his upcoming independent film, Drifter.

Other must-see sites at this year’s show include a vintage Mobil gas station and a full replica of a vintage car dealership, both guaranteed to transport visitors back in time. Plus, to help keep younger guests entertained, there’s a dedicated “GearKids” area that boasts activities like face-painting and a scavenger hunt. Parking is free, as well as admission for children under 12, while general admission costs a very affordable $20 for the day or $30 for the entire weekend.

It’s a huge event, with over 6,000 cars on display, racing action, a 400-vendor-strong market, a swap meet and a bunch of cars for sale. Taking place at the Ohio Expo Center, the Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals will especially appeal to fans of classic Americana, with a focus on muscle cars, customs, trucks and classics. Autocross racing will also entertain live motorsport fans. With so much to see, attendees may want to come early and stay late if they want a chance to see everything.

Unique special features of this year’s show include a celebration of Tri-Five Chevrolet’s 70th anniversary, featuring more than 50 different Tri-Five Chevy variants. Don’t miss the awards ceremony either. Each year, Goodguys presents 12 awards in various categories, including Street Rod and Street Machine of the Year. The Family Fun Zone offers paddle drift karts among other games, while the Goodgals Gallery hosts live music, as well as arts and crafts stalls. And for those with space to spare in the garage but plenty of cash in the bank, the Cars 4 Sale Corral should also be worth a look.

Spectator tickets are $28.67 for 1 day, $41.99 for 2, or $57.37 for all 3 days. The cost is free for children under 6, and $11.24 per day for children between 7 and 12. Registration costs vary between $47.12 and $93.24.

Celebrating 40 years this summer is Hot August Nights, a show that celebrates chrome, classics, and community. The event made our list of must-attend car shows last year and has earned a spot once again this year. Indoor and static shows are great, but when it comes to creating a sense of community and occasion, it’s hard to match what’s going on here. For 10 days, the streets of Reno and Sparks, Nevada are filled with high-powered nostalgia, with cars from the golden age of American automaking – the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s – taking the spotlight.

Once again, this show is about more than just cars and enthusiasts. Free concerts keep the party going well into the evening. There’s now auction action in addition to the expected swap meet and section of cars for sale, as well as a show-n-shine for those who still appreciate a little static action. The price for vehicle registration varies between $155 and $260, depending on how early you sign up, and includes niceties like event T-shirts and hats, as well as admission to various cruises and parades. However, the good news for fans is that the majority of Hot August Nights is completely free to watch. And while access to the MAG Auctions, Drag Racing and Swap Meet requires payment; It’s completely free to wander around, enjoy the sunshine and check out the cars.

For anyone who wants to experience the best of car culture, this event is no easy task. The Woodward Dream Cruise is officially North America’s largest single-day cruising event, taking place on Detroit’s historic Woodward Avenue, expected to draw more than 40,000 cars and one million spectators. Officially, the Woodward Dream Cruise is usually held on the third Saturday in August. However, enthusiasts now arrive days and even weeks in advance, and as such, the area is often buzzing with classic cars and cruise-related activities for about a month in total.

The real joy of this event is that it is completely free – both to watch and to participate. Most of the cars featured are classic American, although a healthy mix of modern muscle and a few supercars are thrown into the mix. Without a doubt, seeing these cars go around is the main attraction, but smaller shows, sponsor display stands and typical street-festival activities offer an atmosphere that also adds to the overall appeal of the show. Fast forward to today, the event celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, and now draws nearly one million people along with an impressive 40,000 cars. It’s an absolute mega-meet, and if checking out classic Americana with a crowd of like-minded fans looking for a trip down memory lane sounds like fun, then this is absolutely a must-see event for you.

Those who want to see attainable Americana should visit Woodward on the weekend of August 15/16. However, those who want to see one of the finest automobiles ever made would be better off heading to Pebble Beach, California. Taking place as part of Monterey Car Week, this concours event is the finest of its kind in the world – a unique event that should truly be on any gearhead’s bucket list.

Pebble Beach doesn’t specifically highlight classic and vintage cars, but that’s certainly its main focus. Collectors, restorers and enthusiasts alike dream of displaying their car here, and of course, taking home a trophy if possible. 2024 saw the best of the first Preservation-Class car – the 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports, which was impressively original despite bearing its name for nine decades. Last year, a group of entrants drove their 1936 Bugatti across the country just to attend – it’s truly a pilgrimage for those involved in this world of vintage decoration. So, although this is not an event you can simply attend with your car, it is open to the public, and simply walking around the show fields will definitely be a must-do for any vintage car enthusiast. Ticket prices are steep – starting at $550 – but this kind of exotica is hard to find anywhere else in the world.