MotorCities National Heritage Area logo
Auto-Heritage-Museum-Ypsilanti-cropped.jpg

Events

MotorCities Events 1170

Tell us when you plan to visit the MotorCites National Heritage Area and we will find some possible events for you. We hope to see you soon!

 

Additional Info

  • Event Title Driven to Win: Racing in America
  • Event Date(s) Now Open
  • Event Location Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
  • Event Description Presented by General Motors, the first comprehensive exhibition covering various forms of American auto racing, including stock car, sports car, drag racing, Indy car, hill climb and land-speed racing, is now open in Dearborn. The 24,000 square-foot exhibit provides visitors an in-depth look at the people, the experiences, the culture, the spectacle, the risks and the innovations centered in the world of American auto sports.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Trunk or Treat at Stahl's
  • Event Date(s) Saturday, October 17th, 2026 1 - 4 p.m.
  • Event Location Stahl's Motors & Music Experience, New Baltimore, MI
  • Event Description Bring the whole family for a fun-filled afternoon of candy, costumes, and spooky surprises, all indoors! The events feature Trick-or-Treat fun for kids of all ages and Halloween-themed displays and music. All activities will be held inside, rain or shine! Costumes encouraged. Smiles guaranteed.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Achievement: African Americans' Accomplishments & Contributions in Automotive Exhibit
  • Event Date(s) On Display Now!
  • Event Location Automotive Hall of Fame, Dearborn, MI
  • Event Description The contributions Black Americans have made to the automotive industry have not been celebrated or even fully captured and shared. Very little effort has even been made to conduct the required research to identify the individuals, much less curate an exhibit on their accomplishments. The Automotive Hall of Fame recognizes that these are important stories that need to be told.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Night at the Museum
  • Event Date(s) Thursday, October 15th, 2026 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
  • Event Location Stahl's Motors & Music Experience, New Baltimore, MI
  • Event Description See the museum in a different light! Stroll through the museum by the glow of neon lights! The overhead lights will be turned down for this special event. The focus will be on signs and lighted gas pumps during this event.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Cars & Coffee
  • Event Date(s) Saturday, October 10th, 2026 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
  • Event Location Ford Piquette Plant Museum, Detroit, MI
  • Event Description Come show off your wheels! Detroit’s eclectic community of antique, classic, quirky and always fabulous rides. All are welcome. Free coffee and donuts while supplies last. A/C and restrooms are available on the first floor. There is Free Parking in the Museum lot and drivers of antique/classic cars will receive one free admission to the museum($20 value).

Additional Info

  • Event Title Distracted Driving Simulator
  • Event Date(s) Now Open!
  • Event Location Sloan Museum of Discovery, Flint, MI
  • Event Description The new Distracted Driving interactive game helps drivers see the dangers of driving while distracted and emphasizes the important message of vehicle safety. The new exhibit was supported by a 2024 MotorCities Challenge Grant. Cellphones, text messages music, podcasts and other drivers on the road are introduced to your virtual vehicle while you play. The exhibit actually asks visitors to drive while simultaneously texting messages to friends. The resulting virtual accidents that take place have monetary “costs” assigned based on vehicle damage. Upon completing the course, visitors will see the costs of distracted driving, as well as receive messaging on the dangers of texting while driving. The Distracted Driving Simulator is located in the Museum's Durant Gallery and is free with general admission.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Annual Fall Open House
  • Event Date(s) Sunday, October 25, 2026 1 - 5 p.m.
  • Event Location Packard Proving Grounds, Shelby Twp., MI
  • Event Description This free community event celebrates the site's 99th birthday with a Cruise-In Car Show, Packard taxi rides, live music, food trucks, a bake sale, and more. The Open House is one of our most cherished traditions, bringing together families, car enthusiasts, and community members while supporting the ongoing preservation of this historic landmark.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Cruise Night
  • Event Date(s) Thursday, October 8th, 2026 4 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
  • Event Location Stahls Motors & Music Experience, New Baltimore, MI
  • Event Description Each cruise night delivers live music that sets the vibe, a lineup of food trucks serving local favorites, and creative theme nights that keep every event fresh. Show off your ride, check out an incredible variety of vehicles, and take part in prize drawings throughout the evening.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Ford Piquette Lecture
  • Event Date(s) Sunday, October 11th, 2026 at 2 p.m.
  • Event Location Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, Detroit, MI
  • Event Description Ray Swetman, longtime docent at the Mack Avenue Ford Plant at Greenfield Village, has spent years researching the life of James Couzens. As Henry Ford’s Vice President and General Manager, Couzens indelibly shaped American industry. As Mayor of Detroit and then U.S. Senator from Michigan, he made his mark on the policies of a nation. Learn more about this towering figure in Michigan history.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Packard Proving Grounds Historical Speaker Series
  • Event Date(s) Sunday, October 25th, 2026 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Event Location Packard Proving Grounds, Shelby Township, MI
  • Event Description Pat Connell will hold a talk highlighting some of the stories from the largest collection of Packard photographs and archival documents. The Packard Motor Car Foundation’s archives house these and Mr. Connell is one of the driving forces behind the ongoing archival efforts and author of the Packard Pulse’s “Gems from the Vault” series.