28 Upcoming U.S. Car Shows to Catch in the Next Two Weeks (September 24–October 6, 2026)

28 Upcoming U.S. Car Shows to Catch in the Next Two Weeks

Ready to put some miles on your ride? The next two weeks bring everything from hometown cruise-ins and sprawling swap meets to prestigious concours lawns and major manufacturer showcases. Whether your heart belongs to early hot rods, Japanese classics, American muscle, modern exotics or just about anything with wheels, there is a show worth adding to your calendar.

This Car Show Warriors roundup covers verified public car shows and major automotive events opening from September 23 through October 6, 2026. Informal neighborhood meets are not tracked in one national registry, so every listing below was checked against an organizer, venue or official tourism page. Dates and details can still change—always follow the official link before making a long drive.

September 24–27: Ducktail Run Rod & Custom Car Show

Where: Gas City Park, Gas City, Indiana
What to expect: The long-running Ducktail Run fills the park with traditional rods, customs and classics. The show field centers on 1972-and-older vehicles, with modified later vehicles accepted under the organizer's published rules, plus a large swap meet with more than 400 vendors.
Good to know: A weekend show-car entry is available, and the surrounding James Dean Festival makes this an especially strong destination weekend for vintage-car fans.
Official information: Ducktail Run Rod & Custom Car Show

September 24–27: 49th Annual James Dean Festival and James Dean Run

Where: Downtown Fairmount and Playacres Park, Fairmount, Indiana
What to expect: James Dean's hometown celebrates its most famous son with a street fair, live entertainment, a parade, carnival attractions and a major classic-car gathering. It pairs naturally with the nearby Ducktail Run for a full weekend of Indiana car culture.
Good to know: The car action is spread across the festival weekend, so review the organizer's schedule before choosing your arrival day.
Official information: James Dean Festival

September 24–27: Somernites Cruise September Weekend

Where: Downtown Somerset, Kentucky
What to expect: Somernites Cruise turns downtown Somerset into a rolling celebration of show cars, trucks and customs. Supporting activities run through the weekend, while the signature Show & Shine takes over downtown on Saturday, September 26, from noon to 6 p.m.
Good to know: Spectator admission is free, and all types of show vehicles are welcome. The event is designed as a cruise weekend, so watch the schedule for the Friday gathering and Saturday fun run as well.
Official information: Somernites Cruise

September 25–26: Cadillac Fall Festival and All-GM Show

Where: Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners, Michigan
What to expect: Friday activities lead into Saturday's All-GM show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Twenty judging classes welcome Cadillac, LaSalle and other General Motors cars and trucks, with GM Cars of the 1980s serving as the 2026 theme.
Good to know: Show admission includes access to the Gilmore Car Museum, and parking is free. Active-duty military members and children 10 and younger receive free admission under the museum's published policy.
Official information: Gilmore Car Museum event page

September 25–26: 49th Annual Fall Jefferson Auto Swap Meet and Car Show

Where: Jefferson County Fair Park, 503 N. Jackson Avenue, Jefferson, Wisconsin
What to expect: Fall Jefferson combines hundreds of show cars with one of the region's largest automotive swap meets. Camaros are the featured vehicle for 2026, but the show welcomes all makes and models.
Good to know: The grounds cover 99 acres and host thousands of vendor spaces, so comfortable shoes and an early start are smart choices if you plan to hunt for parts.
Official information: Madison Classics Fall Jefferson

September 25–26: Ironstone Concours d'Elegance

Where: Ironstone Vineyards, Murphys, California
What to expect: More than 300 period-correct vehicles gather in the Sierra foothills, including antiques, classics, race cars, trailers, military and commercial vehicles, and select exotics. Friday activities lead into the public concours on Saturday, September 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Good to know: The judged field generally focuses on vehicles through 1973. Advance ticket options are available, and children younger than 14 are admitted free under the organizer's current ticket policy.
Official information: Ironstone Concours d'Elegance

September 25–27: 25th International Route 66 Mother Road Festival

Where: Old State Capitol Plaza and downtown Springfield, Illinois
What to expect: The Mother Road Festival celebrates its 25th edition with a huge downtown vehicle display, nearly 60 show classes, a Friday-night cruise, live entertainment and Route 66 atmosphere.
Good to know: Spectator admission is free. Published festival hours are Friday 6–10 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.–10 p.m. and Sunday 7:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
Official information: International Route 66 Mother Road Festival

September 25–27: St. Michaels Concours d'Elegance on Chesapeake Bay

Where: Kent Island Yacht Club, 117 Yacht Club Drive, Chester, Maryland
What to expect: The 19th annual weekend culminates in Sunday's waterfront concours, featuring carefully selected collector cars along with special celebrations of all-American pickup trucks, Springfield-built Rolls-Royce automobiles and Bentley as a featured marque.
Good to know: General gates open Sunday, September 27, at 10 a.m.; awards begin at 1:30 p.m., and the show concludes at 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday programming is listed separately by the organizer.
Official information: St. Michaels Concours schedule

September 25–October 18: Texas Auto Show at the State Fair of Texas

Where: Fair Park, Dallas, Texas
What to expect: New cars, trucks and SUVs spread across the Automobile Building, Centennial Building and outdoor Truck Zone for all 24 days of the State Fair. It is a manufacturer showcase rather than a traditional judged classic-car show, but it belongs on the list for shoppers and fans who want to see many current vehicles in one stop.
Good to know: Auto-show access is included with State Fair admission. Check the fair calendar for daily hours, demonstrations and brand-specific activities.
Official information: Texas Auto Show

September 26–27: Midland Antique Festival Classic Car Show

Where: Midland County Fairgrounds, Midland, Michigan
What to expect: A broad, all-makes classic-car display joins the Midland Antique Festival's antiques, collectibles and swap-meet atmosphere. The car show offers trophies, prizes and giveaways, with no separate display fee beyond current festival admission.
Good to know: Festival admission covers both days, children 11 and younger are admitted free, and parking is free under the organizer's published terms.
Official information: Midland Antique Festival

September 26: Downtown Arlington Classic Car Show

Where: Vandergriff Town Center, 200 N. Mesquite Street, Arlington, Texas
What to expect: Downtown Arlington hosts a free, family-friendly display of cars from 1980 and earlier, followed by class and specialty awards. Show hours are 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Good to know: Vehicle registration is currently full, but spectators are still welcome. Awards are scheduled for approximately 2:15 p.m.
Official information: Downtown Arlington Classic Car Show

September 26: Cars & Caves Season Finale

Where: Chanhassen AutoPlex, 8150 Audubon Road, Chanhassen, Minnesota
What to expect: The final Cars & Caves gathering of 2026 gives visitors a look at enthusiast vehicles and the distinctive garage-condo community at Chanhassen AutoPlex. The show runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Good to know: Admission is free. The venue's public calendar is the best place to confirm featured marques and any last-minute arrival instructions.
Official information: Chanhassen AutoPlex public events

September 26: Chico Concours

Where: Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, 2357 Fair Street, Chico, California
What to expect: Chico Concours brings collector vehicles together under the 2026 theme 250 Years of Freedom and Innovation. The 10 a.m.–4 p.m. program is designed for enthusiasts and families, with judged and display entries across multiple vehicle categories.
Good to know: Spectator admission is free. Display registration is offered by the organizer for owners who want to bring a vehicle.
Official information: Chico Concours

September 26: Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Car Show

Where: Tee Pee Drive-In, 13166 W. Ozark Trail, Sapulpa, Oklahoma
What to expect: Oklahoma's Route 66 centennial celebration rolls into the historic Tee Pee Drive-In for a public car show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A screening of Pixar's Cars follows the daytime event, making this a particularly family-friendly stop.
Good to know: Public admission to the centennial event is listed as free. Entrants should confirm current vehicle-registration availability and fees directly with the organizer.
Official information: Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Car Show

September 27: Nostalgia Day Car Show

Where: Downtown Livermore, California
What to expect: The Altamont Cruisers return to First Street with a full day of classics, customs, hot rods and community fundraising. The show runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with proceeds supporting local charities.
Good to know: Vehicle registration is closed for 2026, but spectators remain welcome and admission is free.
Official information: Altamont Cruisers Nostalgia Day

September 30–October 4: Fall Carlisle Collector Car Flea Market, Corral and Auction

Where: Carlisle Fairgrounds, 1000 Bryn Mawr Road, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
What to expect: Fall Carlisle is built for serious treasure hunting, with a massive automotive flea market, a car corral and collector-vehicle auction activity. The scale makes it as useful for project builders and parts hunters as it is entertaining for casual fans.
Good to know: Published hours are 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 7 a.m.–noon Sunday. Children 12 and younger enter free, and Sunday admission is free under the current event listing.
Official information: Carlisle Events schedule

October 1–4: Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week

Where: Newport, Rhode Island
What to expect: Audrain Motor Week surrounds Newport's grand architecture with seminars, tours, gatherings and world-class automobiles. Highlights include Saturday's Supercar & Hypercar Concours and Sunday's main concours at Fort Adams, where more than 180 cars are expected across 25 classes.
Good to know: The main concours runs Sunday, October 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Many Motor Week programs are separately ticketed, so build your itinerary before arriving.
Official information: Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week

October 2–4: American Speed Festival

Where: M1 Concourse, Pontiac, Michigan
What to expect: Historic racers, modern competition cars, prototypes and rare classics come alive through paddock access, demonstrations and on-track exhibition laps. Friday opens with the Garage Reveal, while Saturday and Sunday bring timed runs and feature activity.
Good to know: A special 2026 highlight is Mario Andretti driving the extraordinary 1909 Christie on Saturday. Review the daily ticket options because access and programming vary by day.
Official information: American Speed Festival

October 2–3: Goodguys 33rd Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals

Where: Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas
What to expect: Goodguys expects about 2,500 1999-and-older hot rods, customs, muscle cars, classics and trucks. Add in autocross action, a swap meet, a cars-for-sale corral and vendor midway, and this is one of the window's strongest all-around enthusiast weekends.
Good to know: Discounted advance tickets are available, with separate pricing for gate admission and children. Owners should review eligibility and registration rules before bringing a vehicle.
Official information: Goodguys Lone Star Nationals

October 2–4: Racing America Cars & Caffeine at Laguna Seca

Where: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, California
What to expect: Cars & Caffeine adds a display of classic, vintage, exotic and collector cars to a full racing weekend at one of America's most famous circuits. Registered show vehicles can also take part in scheduled touring laps, subject to the organizer's rules.
Good to know: This is a race-weekend car-show experience, so ticketing and access differ from a casual parking-lot meet. Confirm display registration and touring-lap availability before traveling.
Official information: Racing America car shows

October 3: Japanese Classic Car Show

Where: Marina Green Park, 386 E. Shoreline Drive, Long Beach, California
What to expect: Nearly 500 Japanese classic cars and motorcycles are expected along the Long Beach waterfront. For fans of vintage Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru and other Japanese marques, JCCS is a must-see gathering.
Good to know: Show hours are 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Advance admission is currently listed at $20, gate admission at $25, and children 12 and younger enter free with an adult.
Official information: JCCS visitor information

October 3: Concours de Maryhill

Where: Maryhill Loops Road and Maryhill Museum grounds, Goldendale, Washington
What to expect: This relaxed open automobile show welcomes anyone with a special car to display along one of the Pacific Northwest's most memorable historic roads. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes class awards.
Good to know: Spectator admission is free. Entrants should follow the Chamber listing for registration and arrival directions.
Official information: Concours de Maryhill event listing

October 3–4: Off-Road Expo

Where: OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa, California
What to expect: The 27th annual Off-Road Expo brings hundreds of manufacturers, new-product launches, custom builds, equipment and off-road displays together in one place. It is an industry expo rather than a conventional judged show, but the vehicle displays make it a strong stop for truck, Jeep, SUV and powersports fans.
Good to know: Check the official page for daily hours, ticket options, parking details and exhibitor announcements.
Official information: Off-Road Expo

October 4: 10,000 Lakes Concours d'Elegance

Where: Chanhassen AutoPlex, Chanhassen, Minnesota
What to expect: The 11th annual 10,000 Lakes Concours presents a carefully selected field of significant automobiles in an intimate enthusiast setting. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Good to know: The concours supports Gillette Children's, giving the day a charitable purpose alongside the collector-car experience. Consult the event site for current ticket and parking information.
Official information: 10,000 Lakes Concours d'Elegance

October 4: Caffeine & Octane Atlanta

Where: Town Center at Cobb, Kennesaw, Georgia
What to expect: One of the country's best-known monthly automotive gatherings welcomes all makes, models and eras—from spotless classics and tuned imports to exotics and modern performance cars. The October meet runs from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Good to know: This is an early, fast-moving event. Arrive well before peak crowd time and follow the organizer's parking guidance for display vehicles and spectators.
Official information: Caffeine & Octane Atlanta

October 4: Rotary Club of Covington Cars of the Past #33

Where: Covington Square, 1124 Clark Street, Covington, Georgia
What to expect: Cars of the Past returns for its 33rd edition with classics, customs and community spirit around the historic square. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Good to know: Spectator admission is free. Vehicle registration is currently listed at $20 in advance or $25 on show day, subject to availability.
Official information: Rotary Club of Covington

October 4–11: Cruisin' the Coast 30th Anniversary

Where: Multiple communities along the Mississippi Gulf Coast
What to expect: Cruisin' the Coast marks 30 years with thousands of classics, antiques, hot rods and custom vehicles moving among Gulfport, Ocean Springs, D'Iberville, Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, Pascagoula and other coastal stops. The week blends cruise routes, entertainment and destination-specific gatherings.
Good to know: Spectator access is free. Because activities move among several cities, download the official schedule and choose your must-see venues before setting out.
Official information: Cruisin' the Coast

October 6–9: AACA Eastern Fall Nationals and Hershey Fall Meet

Where: Hershey, Pennsylvania
What to expect: The Antique Automobile Club of America's legendary fall meet opens Tuesday, October 6, with its enormous flea market and car corral, then builds toward the judged antique-vehicle show on Friday, October 9. For restorers, collectors and automotive-history fans, Hershey remains a bucket-list pilgrimage.
Good to know: October 6 is the event's opening day and the final qualifying start date in this two-week roundup; the judged car show itself falls later in the same meet. Review the official schedule carefully before choosing which day to attend.
Official information: AACA Hershey Fall Meet

Car Show Warriors' Quick Picks

• Best traditional hot-rod weekend: Ducktail Run and the James Dean Festival in Indiana.

• Best parts-hunting missions: Fall Jefferson and Fall Carlisle.

• Best concours experiences: Ironstone, St. Michaels, Audrain Newport and 10,000 Lakes.

• Best import-focused event: Japanese Classic Car Show in Long Beach.

• Best big-field show: Goodguys Lone Star Nationals at Texas Motor Speedway.

• Best rolling road trip: Cruisin' the Coast across Mississippi's Gulf communities.

• Best free downtown festival: The Route 66 Mother Road Festival in Springfield.

Before You Hit the Road

Event schedules, weather plans, ticket inventory and vehicle-registration availability can change quickly. Use the official links above to verify the latest details, then give your ride a once-over, charge the camera and enjoy the show.

Which event are you heading to—and what are you bringing? Share your plans with the Car Show Warriors community.

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