Top car shows in Ontario (2024)

Vintage car shows

Take a step back in time and look at antique cars from different eras, such as the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost from the early 1900s to the Bentley Blower from the mid-1920s. With unique designs and craftsmanship, these vintage cars hold a timeless allure that attracts both antique car connoisseurs and casual admirers.

Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Kemble

Enjoy a day out at the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance, a vintage car show on the shores of Georgian Bay.

Take part in fun events like the “Participants’ Tour,” which takes you on a drive along scenic Grey County backroads or “Cars & Coffee,” where you can gather with proud vintage car owners over a cup of coffee. You’re also welcome to join automotive seminars and speak with fellow car enthusiasts throughout the day.

The main event is held on the last day, on the 18th fairway of the scenic Cobble Beach Golf Resort and Community. Discover an eclectic collection of international automobiles, attend the awards ceremony and participate in other special events. The collection is limited to vehicles with unique historical significance, so you’re sure to witness plenty of mesmerizing cars at this show.

Date: September 13–15, 2024

Location: 221 McLeese Drive, Kemble

All British Car Day, Ottawa

Marvel at legendary vintage cars from Great Britain such as the Rolls-Royce, Bentley, MG, Lotus, Land Rover and more. The cars’ owners will be present, sharing their passion for British cars and telling stories about the unique design and craftsmanship of these vehicles.

Explore a wide selection of vendors with merchandise like clothing, artwork, food and hard-to-find vehicle parts. You’ll have the opportunity to win great door prizes supplied by dealers, organizers, sponsors and donors. Some popular vendors in previous years have been The Merry Dairy, Fares Please and The Great British Pasty & Pie Co.

Admission is free at this family-friendly event, but any proceeds from the event are donated to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Date: July 13, 2024

Location: Clarke Fields Park, 93 Houlahan Street, Nepean

GermanAire Car Show & Social, Niagara Falls

One of the largest Volkswagen car shows in Canada, the GermanAire Car Show & Social in Niagara Falls’ beautiful Firemen’s Park showcases some of the top models of this quality brand.

On the first day of the show, admire vintage Volkswagens as drivers take their cars for a three-hour ride. The drive ends at the host hotel or campground, where you'll have the chance to chat about the cars and make new friends.

The show’s second day features a variety of vendors with Volkswagen-related merchandise on display as well as new and used parts. Enjoy music, food and door prizes before the top 30 vehicles are awarded plaques in the early afternoon.

Date: June 8–9, 2024

Location: Firemen’s Park, 2275 Dorchester Road, Niagara Falls

Classic car shows

Classic car shows are similar to vintage auto shows, but with a broader range of cars beyond just the antiques. Marvel at vehicles with historical and cultural significance, such as early-model Porsche 911s from the 1960s, Chevrolet Corvette C1 Stingrays from the 1950s and the Type 1 Volkswagen Beetle from the 1940s.

Wheels On The Danforth, Toronto

Presented by the Crossroads of the Danforth BIA in Toronto’s East End, Wheels On The Danforth is Toronto’s only street-judged car show.

View hundreds of classic cars, ranging from hot rods and movie cars to tuners and muscle cars on the packed streets. This all-day event features awards and cash prizes for visitors, so keep an eye on their website for the times of various exciting events.

In addition to the array of cars, there will be food, vendors, buskers and live bands, plus a kids’ zone. Admission is free.

Date: August 17, 2024

Location:

3400 Danforth Avenue, Scarborough

British Car Day, Oakville

Hosted annually on the third Sunday of September, British Car Day is North America's largest one-day, fully British car show celebrating vintage, classic and current British-manufactured vehicles.

Since it launched in 1984, this event has continuously grown, attracting more than 800 British cars and over 8,000 spectators in 2023. British car owners travel from across Ontario, the Maritime provinces, the northeast United States, the United Kingdom and even New Zealand to attend.

The “Vendor Village” showcases over 50 British-related vendors with new and used goods for sale, such as car parts, complete cars, T-shirts, hats, tools and end-of-season specials. Food vendors are also on-site.

Date: September 15, 2024

Location: Bronte Creek Provincial Park, 1219 Burloak Drive, Oakville

Burlington Car Show, Burlington

Explore exotic vehicles and cars from the last few decades at the Burlington Car Show.

Over 30,000 visitors attend this event every year and it’s been officially recognized as one of the city’s top three summer events. Enjoy a spectacular collection of classic cars, including European sports cars, American muscle cars and 60s and 70s road demons.

Admission is free, though this car show also serves to raise funds for local causes like the Halton Food for Thought program, Halton Women’s Place and Reach Out Centre for Kids.

Lively music, sidewalk sales, vendors with unique items and delicious foods from local restaurants keep guests of all ages entertained.

Date: July 6, 2024

Location: Brant Street, between Caroline Street and Lakeshore Road, Burlington

Kars on King, Oshawa

One of the must-see events in Oshawa every summer, Kars on King is a free public car show that features hundreds of classic vehicles in the downtown area.

View mint condition vehicles from 1991 or older and enjoy live music on the main stage. Kids will love the crafts and inflatables in the Family Zone.

Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

You may also want to visit the nearby Canadian Automotive Museum to learn more about the rich automotive history in Oshawa.

Date: August 23, 2024

Location: Downtown Oshawa

Annual Show n’ Shine Car Show, St. Catharines

Held inside the sprawling General Motors (GM) factory in St. Catharines, the Annual Show n’ Shine Car Show is Canada’s largest GM-powered car show.

The original show in 1998 was organized by passionate GM employees with just 16 Corvettes featured. Over the years, this car show has grown to display around 400 vehicles powered by GM engines, drawing spectators from across Ontario and New York state.

Awards are given to the car show entrants in categories such as Best of Show, Best Vintage, Most Radical and more.

Browse through an array of vendors, special displays and food stalls. All earnings from the show are donated to United Way Niagara.

Date: Check back for the 2024 date.

Location: General Motors of Canada Company, 570 Glendale Avenue, St. Catharines

Blenheim Classics Auto Show, Blenheim

Whether you’re looking to shop for a new car or just admire them, you’ll enjoy the Blenheim Classics Auto Show.

Browse more than 150 classic, unmodified vehicles, all from 1988 or older. You’ll have the chance to review all the cars on display, ask questions to representatives and possibly purchase one of the beautiful vehicles. There will also be fun activities for visitors to participate in.

Tickets are free, though canned food donations to the Blenheim Food Bank are welcome. This event runs rain or shine, so dress for the weather.

Date: June 22, 2024

Location: Downtown Blenheim

Country Cruizin’, London

View unique, classic cars from across Southern Ontario at Country Cruizin’.

This event hosts “Cruize Nights”, which showcases a different feature car every week at the picturesque Plunkett Estate. Past cars have included a 1964 Volvo Model PV 544, a 1939 Chrysler and a 1967 Beaumont.

In addition to cars, enjoy entertaining activities, music and delicious food like barbecue, ice cream and more.

Entrance is by donation with all proceeds going to District Lions Club projects serving its communities.

“Cruize Nights” run every Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to dusk, lasting from May to September.

Date: Every Thursday from May 9–September 19, 2024

Location: Plunkett Estate, 9282 Elviage Drive, London

Westport Car Show, Westport

This family-friendly car show is held annually on the shores of Upper Rideau Lake, part of the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a one-day, non-judging, show, shine and cruise event. More than 200 antique, vintage, classic, collectible, custom and exotic vehicles are expected to be on display.

In addition to the show, attendees can visit antique carriages and tractors, race remote-controlled cars, try driving simulators and play racing video games.

Admission is free. Proceeds from the show’s raffles and draws support local Westport charities.

Date: July 20, 2024

Location: Westport Community Arena and Lockwood Memorial Park, 37 Spring Street, Westport

Dream Wheels on Eglinton, Toronto

Having made its successful debut in 2023, Dream Wheels on Eglinton is a unique vintage car and bike show in Midtown Toronto. Experience hundreds of classic hot rods, muscle cars, race cars, exotics and motorcycles along Eglinton Avenue West. The event also features street vendors, live music, kid’s activities, a glamour pin-up contest, a beverage garden, an awards ceremony and more.

The event is in partnership with Toronto Hot Rod Kulture and Road Reapers Car Club in support of the SickKids Foundation. Admission is free and donations are welcome.

Date: July 27, 2024

Location: Eglinton Avenue West from Elmsthorpe Avenue to Russell Hill Road, Toronto

Modern car shows

For the latest and most state-of-the-art vehicles, check out these modern car shows, where you’ll find contemporary sedans, SUVs, trucks, sports cars, electric vehicles, luxury automobiles and much more.

Yorkville Exotic Car Show, Toronto

Stroll along the red carpet and admire the sleek cars at the annual Yorkville Exotic Car Show, one of the top car shows in Toronto.

This popular event is located in Bloor-Yorkville, home to some of Toronto’s most high-end boutiques, restaurants and hotels.

Drivers and automobile celebrities will be present to show off luxury cars and culture. Aston Martin, Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini are just some of the brands you’ll see on display.

Participate in fun events like a raffle for the chance to win prizes like a brand-new car, all-inclusive vacations, a shopping spree and more. This year, ticket proceeds will be donated to Melanoma Canada.

Admission is free. Note that Bloor Street will be closed to traffic between Avenue Road and Yonge Street. Traffic may be heavy, so consider taking public transportation.

Date: June 16, 2024

Location: Bloor Street, between Avenue Road and Yonge Street, Toronto

Canadian International AutoShow, Toronto

General Motors, Hyundai, Kia and other big automobile manufacturers showcase their latest cars at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto, one of the largest modern car shows in Canada.

Discover a diverse selection of vehicles, ranging from exotic and classic cars to muscle cars, alternative fuel vehicles and self-driving cars. The show also has a variety of feature exhibits on display each year. In the 2024 show, the “Electric City” exhibit showcased exciting developments in the electrified automotive industry.

If you arrive in time to catch the opening ceremonies for the Canadian International AutoShow, you’ll see the announcement for the winners of the Canadian Car of the Year and Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year awards.

Admission tickets must be purchased online in advance.

Date: February 14–23, 2025

Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street West, Toronto

ImportFest, Toronto

Known as “Canada’s biggest and baddest car show,” ImportFest attracts car enthusiasts from all across North America.

Explore a stunning breadth of customized cars, ranging from tuner cars and luxury imports to high-performance vehicles. Over 450 cars will be on display, including modified, imported and exotic vehicles.

You’ll Find accessibility-friendly parking between the North and South building inside the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Date: July 13, 2024

Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street West, Toronto

Drive Festival, Clarington

Since 2021, this thrilling car exhibition has been offering attendees various adrenaline-pumping attractions to explore. In addition to manufacturer displays and expo exhibits, you can experience unparalleled test drive opportunities on three different test tracks.

Get behind the wheel of the latest electric or hybrid vehicle on the “Manufacturer Track,” navigate ditches, dunes and drop-offs on the “Off-Road Track” or experience the ultimate rush as you test drive sports, muscle and performance cars with professional instructors on the “Performance Track”.

Location: Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, 3233 Concession Road 10, Bowmanville

Ottawa Ferrari Festival, Ottawa

During one weekend every June, over 200,000 visitors flock to the Ottawa Ferrari Festival to celebrate Ferraris and other Italian vehicles.

This family-friendly festival is run at the same time as the Italian Week Ottawa festival, transforming Ottawa’s Corso Italia (Preston Street) into a 1.3-kilometre concourse of rare automobiles, fine dining and fun for people of all ages.

The main event, the Concorso d’Eleganza, features a selection of the best Ferraris at the show. If you want to see all the cars on display, check out both sides of Preston Street on Friday and Saturday evenings. More than 50 Ferraris and other rare Italian and exotic sports cars are exhibited.

Join in exciting activities like the Italian car parade, a demo zone, Festival and Concours Awards dinner and Sunday luncheon. Don’t miss the Charity Ferrari Dream Ride, for the opportunity to ride a real Ferrari.

Date: June 14–16, 2024

Location: 301 Preston Street, Ottawa

Tips on attending a car show

If it’s your first time heading to a car show, here are a few tips to make the most out of your trip:

• Wear comfortable clothing: The atmosphere of car shows are typically relaxed and casual. They’re often held outdoors and you’ll be doing a lot of walking and standing to observe the many vehicles on display. Comfortable clothing like sneakers, light clothing and an easily removable jacket will help you prevent fatigue, adapt to the weather and enjoy the event without being restricted by your clothes.
• Bring essentials: As many car shows are held outdoors, it may be helpful for you to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and a water bottle.
• Look but don’t touch: This rule is a common guideline that spectators at car shows are expected to follow. It simply means that while you are free to admire the cars on display, you should not touch or interact with them. This is to prevent the cars, many of which are valuable and rare, from any damage.
• Ask questions: If you see the owner or representative of a car you’re interested in, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Most car owners are passionate about their vehicles and would love to share their knowledge with you.
• Think before bringing your kids: If your children like cars, then it’s more likely they’ll enjoy the displays, but they may be bored if they aren’t interested in cars. Make sure you also check that the car show you want to go to is appropriate for young children before taking them along. Some offer interactive or kid-friendly activities to keep them engaged.