TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
Ultimate auto events: 10 best car shows in the US
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USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards (2025)
Best Car Show (2025)
May 7, 2025
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From classic cars and hot rods to speedy supercars and the latest vehicles on the cutting edge, car shows enthrall enthusiasts with their stellar lineups.
Hundreds of these events take place across the nation each year, so we asked an expert panel to help narrow the field by nominating their top picks for the best. Then, readers voted to crown the winners. Here are the 10 best car shows in the country.
No. 10: Hot August Nights
Photo courtesy of Hot August Nights | Marcello Rostagni
No. 10: Hot August Nights
Reno, Nevada
Hot August Nights brings together classic vehicles from around the country to crown the best of the best. During this event, motorheads can take in the many vehicles that cruise in for the show, as well as take part in poker walks, swap meets, a classic car auction, and more.
No. 9: Eastern Division AACA National Fall Meet
Photo courtesy of Antique Automobile Club of America
No. 9: Eastern Division AACA National Fall Meet
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Each October, classic, vintage, and antique car enthusiasts gather in Hershey, Pennsylvania, for one of the largest antique automobile shows and flea markets in the United States. The four-day Eastern Fall Meet is hosted by the Antique Automobile Club of America, and attendees can enjoy a talent show and movie night, in addition to all of the auto-centric festivities.
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No. 8: Woodward Dream Cruise
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No. 8: Woodward Dream Cruise
Detroit, Michigan
In 1995, the first Woodward Dream Cruise took place as a small fundraiser to support a local soccer field. Today, it's the world's largest one-day automotive event, with some 40,000 classic cars and more than 1 million people gathering each August.
No. 7: Iola Car Show
Photo courtesy of QCWilly Photography
No. 7: Iola Car Show
Iola, Wisconsin
One of the longest-running car shows in the country, the Iola Car Show brings in more than 130,000 attendees each summer to check out 2,500 show cars, 4,000 swap spaces, and 400 car corral spaces. Then there's the concerts, special guests, and other activities throughout the weekend. The 2025 event has a special focus on 4x4 vehicles.
No. 6: Renaissance Euro Fest
Photo courtesy of Explore Ridgeland
No. 6: Renaissance Euro Fest
Ridgeland, Mississippi
This sophisticated Southern gathering puts European engineering in the spotlight each fall, showcasing nimble Italian sports cars as well as stately British luxury vehicles arranged around the Renaissance at Colony Park's elegant grounds. The show features more than 150 classic European cars and motorcycles which are a mix of pristine restorations and updated classics. While the cars are the stars at this free event, the festival atmosphere includes live music, local food vendors, and opportunities for owners and admirers to share stories about their vehicles.
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No. 5: NSRA Street Rod Nationals
Photo courtesy of NSRA staff photo
No. 5: NSRA Street Rod Nationals
Louisville, Kentucky
The NSRA Street Rod Nationals is a premier automotive event held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, celebrating the passion for hot rods, street rods, and classic cars. Organized by the National Street Rod Association (NSRA), this gathering attracts thousands of car enthusiasts from across the U.S. and beyond, showcasing an impressive array of vintage vehicles and custom creations. This four-day event, held each August, features a variety of activities, including the extensive car show, autocross, manufacturers, commercial exhibitors, automotive swap meet and seminars produced by the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA), and live entertainment.
No. 4: The Amelia Concours d'Elegance
Photo courtesy of Hagerty
No. 4: The Amelia Concours d'Elegance
Amelia Island, Florida
Held annually, The Amelia Concours d’Elegance can be described as a beauty pageant for rare and vintage cars, featuring more than 240 vehicles from collections around the world. Each March, attendees can peruse entries across 35 car classes, enjoy live entertainment, and relax in a Bavarian beer garden.
No. 3: MSRA Back to the 50's Weekend
Photo courtesy of MSRA
No. 3: MSRA Back to the 50's Weekend
St. Paul, Minnesota
The Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul hosts Back to the 50's each summer — a celebration of hot rods, customs, and classics with over 10,000 registered vehicles. The event also includes live '50s music, a flyover, and a gigantic swap meet, as well as activities and games for kids.
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No. 2: Triple Crown of Rodding
Photo courtesy of Triple Crown of Rodding
No. 2: Triple Crown of Rodding
Lebanon, Tennessee
Taking place at Nashville Superspeedway each September, the Triple Crown of Rodding celebrates hot rods, customs, classics, and muscle cars made through 1972 along with American-made trucks through 1998. Other activities include meet-and-greets with industry celebrities, a massive vendor midway, live music, and more.
No. 1: Cruisin' The Coast
Photo courtesy of Cruisin' The Coast
No. 1: Cruisin' The Coast
Mississippi Gulf Coast
Cruisin' The Coast is considered “America’s largest block party,” taking place each fall. Imagine more than 9,000 vehicles — hot rods, classics, antique vehicles — in a massive car show along the beachside highway on the Mississippi Coast. Car lovers adore this annual event, which has taken over the Mississippi Gulf Coast every year since its inception in 1996. Cruise between the different venues, each a festival in and of itself, and catch live music, food, merchandise, a car auction, swap meet, parade, and plenty of car talk.
Posted 11:23 AM