Let’s Narrow It Down
For car enthusiasts, there are few things greater than a car show.
From meet-ups in a Denny’s parking lot to internationally renowned media events where manufacturers show off their latest and greatest, automotive events allow enthusiasts to come together to celebrate their common passion. Granted, narrowing down a list of the best events when there are thousands of car-focused events every year is a bit tough, but there are just certain events that you can not miss.
So, what are the top 5 automotive events you need to attend in 2023? Let’s dive right in.
Chicago Auto Show – February 11-20, 2023, Chicago, Illinois
Taking place at the iconic McCormick Place in Chicago, the Chicago Auto Show is the Nation’s largest car show.
In addition to being the largest, it also happens to be one of the oldest automotive events in the country, if not the world. Started in 1901 by Samuel A. Miles as a way for manufacturers to get in front of consumers who were new to the world of automobiles, the Chicago Auto Show has become synonymous with epic vehicle debuts and revolutionary concept cars. Notable debuts include the Dodge Viper RT/10 concept, the Escort GT, and the Ford Mustang SVT Cobra. Early on, the Chicago Auto Show was focused on domestic vehicles but as time moved on and imported vehicles became more the norm, the Chicago Auto Show shifted gears and brought in an international crowd.
Visitors can expect to see over 300 vehicles from 20 different manufacturers at this iconic event. For a traditional auto show, it doesn’t get much better than this!
SEMA – October 31 – November 3, 2023, Las Vegas, Nevada
Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, SEMA (Speciality Equipment Manufacturers Association) has traditionally been a trade show that caters to companies and individuals in the automotive aftermarket space.
This means, to get in, you need to work in the automotive space or know someone who does. If you can get in, wow… enthusiasts in for an unbelievable treat! Everything from custom builders that display the most outrageous custom builds, to OEMs rolling out their latest concepts adorn the floor. It’s a feast for the eyes, ears, and nose!
On top of all the outrageous things inside the show floor, SEMA is also a venerable festival of activity all over the Las Vegas area. From Formula 1 cars ripping down the strip to Tanner Foust’s “drift taxi” screaming in the parking lot outside of the convention center, there is something at every turn in SEMA.
For 2023, SEMA is changing things up a bit to include the public in on the action with events such as SEMA Week 2023 and one day of access for the general public. Although you’ll miss out on the car-focused celebrities and giveaways, there is still so much to see. If you can make it to Vegas, don’t miss this event.
Pebble Beach Concours D’ Elegance – August 23rd, 2023, Monterey, California
Ah, there is simply nothing like the iconic Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance.
Taking place every summer on the beautiful Monterey Peninsula, Concours is the epitome of a high-end automotive showcase. Owners of incredibly rare and spectacular vehicles of all types bring their vehicles to the Pebble Beach resort for a one-of-a-kind competition that takes place right on the iconic fairway of Pebble. There are multiple types of entries on the docket, and multiple types of awards to be won. From best in show to awards for best muscle cars, or best steam-powered cars, this is the creme de la creme of automotive perfection. Keep in mind that cars cannot return for ten years once they’ve been shown, meaning the entries are always new and exciting. Plus, 100% of donations go to the United Way of Monterey County.
On top of the actual Concours competition, Monterey Car Week also happens around the same time and includes events like Monterey Historics at Laguna Seca and dozens of other car shows throughout the area.
Beautiful natural surroundings, classic car racing, and an iconic car show competition? What more could you ask for?
New York International Auto Show, April 7-16, 2023, New York, New York
Held at the recently renovated Javits Place in Manhattan, the New York International Auto Show has been thrilling guests since 1900.
Since it beat the Chicago Auto Show by one year, it holds the distinction of being the oldest auto show in the United States. Originally held as a competition between the car and the horseless carriage, the NYIAS has transitioned into a place where the best of the world come to show off their goods. New York was the showcase for the import auto movement that took hold of the United States in the 1950s, due in no small part to its large immigrant population from Europe. Cars from brands like Jaguar, SAAB, FIAT, and Aston Martin came to prominence in America because of the New York Auto Show.
Visitors today can expect cars, motorcycles, and other mobility machines to intermingle with the latest and greatest green technology. For 2023, visitors should check out the EV showcase with vehicles from brands like Volvo, GM, and more.
Woodward Dream Cruise, August 19, 2023, Pontiac, Michigan
If you love Americana culture, you should not miss the Woodward Dream Cruise that takes place every August near Pontiac Michigan.
Over one million people and 40,000 classic cars of all kinds show up to take the drive down Woodward Avenue through nine participating communities (Pontiac, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Royal Oak, Berkley, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge, and Ferndale) in Oakland County, Michigan. What started as a fundraiser in 1995 has now turned into an extravaganza that celebrates the automobile in all its glory. This is an event where people from all over the world come together to showcase their cars and just be in the mix, and the energy of it all.
For 2023, Ford (headquartered nearby) is the title sponsor for the event, so you can bet that tons of Mustang enthusiasts will be lining the streets with their most iconic muscle cars. This is a summer tradition, and if you can get up to Michigan for a visit, it is not to be missed.
