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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 Old Car Festival
  • Event Date(s) Saturday, September 12 & Sunday, September 13, 2026
  • Event Location Greenfield Village in Dearborn
  • Event Description See cars from the 1890s through 1932. The streets and grounds of Greenfield Village in Dearborn welcome the sights, sounds and smells of hundreds of authentic vehicles from the 1890s through 1932. This year the Old Car Festival will be highlighting the 75th Anniversary of the Old Car Festival.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Orphan Car Show
  • Event Date(s) Saturday, September 19th, 2026 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • Event Location Stahls Automotive Collection
  • Event Description You’re invited to our second Orphan Car Show! Public is welcome to visit the car show and inside the collection from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. For interest in showing a vehicle, please read all the following requirements: • All registered vehicles must be factory stock and in reasonable condition. • A vehicle must be a make, not a model, that is no longer manufactured or imported into the USA. • The vehicle is 25 or more “model-years” old. • We highly recommend pre-registering. • If spots are available, day of registration is $40.

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 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 Ford Model A Car Show
  • Event Date(s) Friday & Saturday, September 18 and 19, 2026 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • Event Location Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners, MI
  • Event Description The 12th Annual Ford Model A Days at the Gilmore Car Museum takes place at the home of the Model A Ford Museum, the world’s largest museum dedicated solely to the Model A! Bring your roadsters, roadster trucks, cabriolets, phaetons, and 400As to show off. This family friendly event will feature a swap meet, live music, technical and fashion seminars, and more! Bring the whole family out for a fun day of celebrating the heritage of a trusty American car!

Additional Info

  • Event Title Model T Birthday Party
  • Event Date(s) Sunday, September 27th, 2026 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • Event Location Ford Piquette Plant Museum, Detroit, MI
  • Event Description The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum celebrates the invention of Model T with a birthday party including free rides, crafts for the kids, food and shopping. Activities in the museum’s first-floor event space are free. The line for free T rides will form at the historic front entrance. Birthday cake will be served at Noon while supplies last.

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 Orphan Car Show
  • Event Date(s) Saturday, August 29th, 2026 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • Event Location Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners, MI
  • Event Description Step back in time and immerse yourself in automotive history at Gilmore's Orphan Car Show! This unique event celebrates the legendary brands that once graced our roads but have since faded into the annals of history. From the opulent elegance of Pierce-Arrow and the innovative spirit of Auburn to the iconic designs of Pontiac and the sporty charm of Austin Healey and MG, this show is a tribute to the marques that have left an indelible mark on car culture. Families and car enthusiasts alike will find themselves captivated by the craftsmanship and stories behind these beloved, defunct brands from 1900-1975. Come experience the nostalgia and passion that drove these iconic vehicles, and connect with others who share your appreciation for automotive history. Whether you're a lifelong car aficionado or simply curious about the past, this event promises a day of discovery and wonder. Don't miss the chance to celebrate these automotive legends and witness firsthand the enduring legacy of brands that continue to inspire and intrigue.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Fuel for Thought Lecture Series
  • Event Date(s) Thursday, August 27th, 2026 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
  • Event Location Stahls Motors & Music Experience, New Baltimore, MI
  • Event Description Join us for a special presentation celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Route 66, one of the most iconic highways in American history! Often called the “Mother Road,” Route 66 has captured the imagination of travelers for generations. Stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica, this legendary highway is filled with unforgettable roadside attractions, classic diners, vintage motels, quirky landmarks, and stories that helped shape America’s road-trip culture. Whether you’re a lifelong Route 66 enthusiast, a classic car fan, or simply love American history and travel, this presentation offers a unique journey through one of the nation’s most beloved highways. Admission is FREE. RSVP to guarantee a seat and travel back in time as we celebrate 100 years of Route 66! Seats will be first come/first serve to ALL RSVP guests. If you do not RSVP, you are welcome to attend and can find an empty seat at 6pm.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Just Jazz Fundraiser
  • Event Date(s) Thursday, August 27th, 2026 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
  • Event Location Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners, MI
  • Event Description The Kalamazoo (MI) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated presents a Chic Outdoor White Party Experience featuring live entertainment by the Hitsville AllStars. Beyond an unforgettable summer event filled with music and fellowship, every ticket purchased directly supports youth initiatives, scholarships, and community service efforts that empower local students and families.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Packard Proving Grounds Historical Speaker Series
  • Event Date(s) Sunday, September 13th, 2026 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
  • Event Location Packard Proving Grounds, Shelby Township, MI
  • Event Description When we think about Route 66, the images that comes to mind are of the wigwam motels, canopy gas stations, roadside attractions, diners and fading neon signs along the road. Bob has actually driven Route 66 along its entire length from Illinois to California with his son in two segments in recent years in classic cars and can speak to what the road is today as well as its place in history in its centennial year.

Additional Info

  • Event Title 12th Annual How to Halloween
  • Event Date(s) Saturday, October 3rd, 2026 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Event Location Impression 5 Science Center
  • Event Description Celebrate 60 years of Star Trek at the 12th annual How-To Halloween, a free outdoor festival packed with trick-or-treating, interactive attractions, costume contests, a killer car show, and a zombie walk. Attendees can step into a Starship Bridge Experience, meet the crew of the USS Tecumseh, and groove to cartoon-inspired power-pop hits from live performer The Shake Ups. The event also features creative vendors, character appearances, make-n-takes, and live entertainment. For a regular admission fee, guests can enter Impression 5 Science Center for special programming featuring celebrity guest Rob Miller, a creature designer, master sculptor, and FX makeup artist from SyFy’s Face Off.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Import Car Show
  • Event Date(s) Sunday, August 30th, 2026 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Event Location Pierce-Arrow Museum at the Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners, MI
  • Event Description The Pierce-Arrow Museum at Gilmore invites you to the first-ever Import Invasion—a celebration of international automotive excellence set against one of America’s premier collector car destinations. From British roadsters and European grand tourers to Japanese performance icons and unique global marques, this is a day dedicated to the cars that came from beyond our shores and captured our imagination. Stroll the show field filled with imports of all years and origins, meet fellow enthusiasts, and experience the incredible Gilmore campus with access to its world-class museums. Enjoy great food, lively atmosphere. Whether you’re showcasing your own import or simply coming to admire, there’s something here for every car lover.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Vintage Motorcycle Show
  • Event Date(s) Sunday, September 13th, 2026 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Event Location Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners, MI
  • Event Description A weekend of chrome, leather, roaring engines, and two-wheeled nostalgia, Vintage Motorcycle Weekend brings together riders, collectors, builders, families, and enthusiasts at the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Lecture: Apollo 11
  • Event Date(s) Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026 7:30 p.m.
  • Event Location Michigan Flight Museum, Ypsilanti, MI
  • Event Description Join us as Greg Brown, Museum Historian at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum, presents the story of the historic Apollo 11 mission, the first successful crewed landing on the Moon and a defining achievement of the Space Race. This program explores the mission’s background, introduces the crew, and follows the major phases of the flight from launch to lunar landing and safe return.