Top car shows in Ontario

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 that takes place 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, and “Cars & Coffee”, to view a diverse range of vintage cars and gather with the proud owners for a cup of coffee. 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 and attend the awards ceremony and 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 15–17, 2023

Location: 221 McLeese Drive, Kemble

All British Car Day, Ottawa

Learn about British automotive heritage at the All British Car Day in Ottawa.

View 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 you 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: Mid-July 2024, check back for the exact day.

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 showcases some of the top models of this quality brand.

View over 350 Volkswagen vehicles in Niagara Falls’ beautiful Firemen’s Park. On the first day of the show, witness the drivers take these vintage cars for a three-hour cruise The drive ends at the host hotel or campground, where they’ll have the chance to chat about the cars and make new friends.

The show’s second day features a Volkswagen bus photo booth, plus a variety of vendors with clothing, art and Volkswagen-related merchandise on display.

Enjoy food trucks, participate in the engine blow contest and look for various games and activities designed for kids

Date: Check back for the 2024 dates.

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 displayed vehicles with historical and cultural significance, such as early-model Porsche 911s from the 1960s, Chevrolet Corvette C1 Sting Rays 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 to the public.

Date: Saturday, August 19, 2023

Location: 3345 Danforth Avenue, Scarborough

British Car Day, Oakville

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

Its first event was in 1984 and it has continuously grown since then, attracting more than 1,000 British cars and over 9,000 spectators in 2022. 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: Sunday, September 17, 2023

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 and Halton Women’s Place.

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

Date: July 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 displayed from the intersection at King Street and Simcoe Street to King Street East and Victoria Lane.

Additionally, experience live music, strolling buskers, face painting, a petting zoo, graffiti and other entertainment. Kids will love the balloon twisting and inflatable amusements  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: Friday, August 25, 2023, from 3:30 p.m to 9:00 p.m.

Location: Simcoe Street North and King Street North, 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: Friday, August 4, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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: Stay tuned for the 2024 date.

Location: Downtown Blenheim

Lions Club Classic Car Show, Kawartha Downs

Organized by the Kawartha Downs’ local Lions Club, the Lions Club Classic Car Show is an annual car show that brings car enthusiasts together from across Ontario.

Admire a wide selection of classic cars, ranging from beautifully restored antiques to well-preserved vintage automobiles.

Events in previous years have included car races, live music and the chance to socialize with fellow car enthusiasts. There may also be face painting and balloon animals at night for the little ones.

Find free admission and parking onsite.

Date: Check back for the 2024 date.

Location: 1328 County Road 28, Fraserville

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.

Enjoy entertaining activities and delicious food like a Southern Ontario tap truck, barbecue, ice cream and more. Onsite, Xtreme Graphix provides a variety of automotive services like vehicle graphics, window tint and paint protection film, so bring your car if you want any custom finishes done.

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

Date: Every Thursday from mid-May to mid-September

Location: Plunkett Estate, 9282 Elviage Drive, London

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 the luxury culture and cars. Aston Martin, Porsche, Ferrari and La Corsa Rally 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. Ticket proceeds are donated to charities—past charities have included Melanoma Canada and Prostate Cancer Canada.

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

Date: Stay tuned for the upcoming 2024 date.

Location: Bloor Street, between Avenue Road and Bay 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. Past years of the show have featured different themes. The theme in 2023 was “Mobility Reimagined”, which brought a variety of popular contemporary cars like electric vehicles and accessible transportation for people with mobility challenges.

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. The cost is $26 for adults, $17 for seniors, $16.50 for youth aged 12–16, $7.50 for children aged 7–11 and free for kids under six. If you buy your admission before the show opens, you’ll get a 10% discount.

Date: February 16–25, 2024. Check back for the opening times of each event day.

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. In addition to the wide assortment of featured cars, several popular models and DJs will be making an appearance.

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

Date: Saturday, July 29, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

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

Ottawa Ferrari Festival, Ottawa

On 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 Ottawa Italian 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 Concours d’Elegance, 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 demolition 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 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.