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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 Young Modelers Club
  • Event Date(s) Saturdays Running October 10th, 2026 thru April 10th, 2027 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  • Event Location Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society, Eastpointe, MI
  • Event Description Ages 8 to 16, parents welcome to join in. For those who have never built a model, we give you a free snap-together kit to build and take home! All supplies such as tools, paint, glue, etc will be provided for those who bring their own model to build. Members of IPMS Warren model club will be there to help and teach modeling techniques For more info, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 586-875-2581.

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 Motor City Origins Tour
  • Event Date(s) Saturday, November 28th, 2026 5:30 p.m.
  • Event Location Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, Detroit, MI
  • Event Description Enjoy a special, after-hours tour of the Ford Piquette Plant Museum that explores the history of Detroit’s Milwaukee Junction neighborhood, where The Motor City got its start. This event will highlight how Ford, Dodge, Cadillac, Studebaker, Anderson Electric and others launched Detroit as the automotive capital of the world. A social start to the evening includes a complimentary Happy Half-Hour and light bites, followed by a theater presentation and then guided tour of the museum’s rare collection of antique vehicles made in Milwaukee Junction after the turn of the 20 th century. Tickets are $40 per person or $25 for museum members. 5:30 – 6 p.m. – Complimentary Happy Half-Hour 6 – 7:30 p.m. – Theater Presentation and Guided Museum Tour

Additional Info

  • Event Title Night at the Museum
  • Event Date(s) Thursday, November 19th, 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 A Salute to Our Veterans
  • Event Date(s) Wednesday, November 11th, 2026 6 p.m.
  • Event Location Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society, Eastpointe, MI
  • Event Description A Salute to Our Veterans will be a special Veterans Day program meant to honor those who served our country. It is also the 15th Anniversary of the Museum’s Grand Opening. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and there will be a Veterans Day Ceremony at 7 p.m.

Additional Info

  • Event Title 11th Annual Veterans Day Open House
  • Event Date(s) November 11th, 2026 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  • Event Location Stahl's Motors & Music Experience, Chesterfield, MI
  • Event Description For over a decade, this powerful tradition has brought veterans, families, and our community together for a day of deep gratitude, camaraderie, and celebration. It’s a chance to connect directly with veteran-focused organizations, explore the Stahls Motors & Music Experience collection, and pause to honor the incredible men and women who bravely served our country. The museum and event are open from 10AM-2PM! Be sure to join us as we gather for our special ceremony at 11:00 AM, followed by time to connect with vital veteran services and info.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Home for the Holidays at Ford House
  • Event Date(s) Friday and Saturday Nights, November 17th - December 27th, 2026
  • Event Location Ford House, Grosse Point Shores, MI
  • Event Description Step into a world aglow with the magic of the season at Home for the Holidays at Ford House. Enjoy a one-mile walk around the property as shimmering lights surround you. Along your walk, visit the Main Residence for a self-paced journey, witnessing how Eleanor Ford would have decorated the home for the holidays. Stop by the concessions tent for your complimentary hot chocolate, adding a delightful touch to your holiday excursion. And guess who’s stopping by every night? It’s none other than Santa Claus himself! Make sure to visit him for a photo op along the path. Home for the Holidays at Ford House is not just a walking tour; it’s a journey through history and elegance, a celebration of the season’s magic.

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 Michigan Flight Museum: Historic Presentation Night
  • Event Date(s) Wednesday, November 4th, 2026 7:30 p.m.
  • Event Location Michigan Flight Museum, Ypsilanti, MI
  • Event Description Returning speaker Wendy Zielen explores Michigan’s important relationship with Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and the state’s vital role in World War II. Discover how FDR’s call for America to become the “Arsenal of Democracy” transformed Michigan into a wartime powerhouse, as Detroit’s factories shifted from automobiles to bombers, tanks, and aircraft engines. Learn about Roosevelt’s visits to Michigan factories, including Willow Run, and Eleanor Roosevelt’s support of the Women’s Air Force Service Pilots and Tuskegee Airmen.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Fuel for Thought Presentation
  • Event Date(s) Thursday, November 5th, 2026 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
  • Event Location Stahls Motors & Music Experience, New Baltimore, MI
  • Event Description Join us for a special presentation exploring The History of Electric Cars from 1890 to 2026! Long before modern EVs took over the highways, early inventors created quiet, luxurious alternatives to steam and gasoline vehicles. Presented by car restorer Ken Litchfield, who brings over 45 years of hands-on automotive restoration expertise, this special edition of Fuel for Thought will trace the evolution of battery-powered transportation across the decades. Having personally worked on electric vehicles like a 1906 Columbia and a 1965 Corvair, Litchfield will also share practical insights into converting traditional cars to electric power today. This event is ideal for car restorers, EV enthusiasts, or anyone curious about the past, present, and future of automotive technology. Admission is free, though donations are encouraged, and space is limited to a maximum of 200 RSVPs with seating provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Guests without an RSVP are still welcome to attend and can take any remaining empty seats at 6:00 PM.

Additional Info

  • Event Title History Lecture Series
  • Event Date(s) Sunday, November 8th, 2026 2 p.m.
  • Event Location Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society, Eastpointe, MI
  • Event Description The Sinking of the U.S.S Indianapolis - and its Michigan connections The July 1945 sinking of the USS Indianapolis was the worst at-sea loss in U.S. Naval history - 879 sailors died. Miraculously, 316 survived a harrowing ordeal in the Pacific Ocean and many challenges after their rescue. Local historian Barry Levine will share this remarkable story, including what happened to some of the Michigan survivors.

Additional Info

  • Event Title From Tuskegee to Detroit: A Legacy of Aviation
  • Event Date(s) Sunday, November 15th, 2026 1 p.m.
  • Event Location Packard Proving Grounds, Shelby Twp., MI
  • Event Description Discover the remarkable story of the Tuskegee Airmen, pioneering African American military aviators who challenged racial barriers and helped shape American aviation history. Join Detroit native William "Tony" Stevenson, President of the Detroit Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. and Deputy Commander of the Civil Air Patrol's 100th Composite Squadron, as he explores their history, connections to Detroit and Selfridge Field, and enduring legacy.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Presentation: World War I Armor Camouflage and Markings
  • Event Date(s) Sunday, November 15th, 2026 2 p.m.
  • Event Location Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society, Eastpointe, MI
  • Event Description When tanks first appeared on the battlefields of World War I, they introduced a revolutionary new form of warfare. But how did armies attempt to conceal these massive machines, and how were they identified in the chaos of battle? Join historian Glen Broman for a fascinating look at the camouflage patterns, colors, symbols, and tactical markings used on armored vehicles during the Great War. Discover how early camouflage techniques evolved, the differences between Allied and German approaches, and the stories behind the distinctive markings found on these pioneering fighting vehicles. Through historical photographs and examples, this presentation will explore a little-known aspect of World War I armored warfare and the origins of military vehicle camouflage practices still used today.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Author Talk With David Treuer, "The Savage Mind"
  • Event Date(s) Saturday, November 7th, 2026 2 p.m.
  • Event Location Anderson Theater at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
  • Event Description As part of The Henry Ford's Celebration of Indigenous History programming, join acclaimed author David Treuer (Leech Lake Ojibwe) for an insightful presentation and discussion on his book, The Savage Mind: An American Legacy. Blending memoir, history, and journalism, Treuer reflects on the personal origins of the work, conceived following the murder of George Floyd and the January 6 insurrection to examine how frontier violence, his upbringing on the Leech Lake Reservation, and American history shape our contemporary lives. Audiences are invited to explore questions of identity, community resilience, and the possibility of national healing, followed by an audience Q&A and book signing with copies of The Savage Mind available for purchase.