Woodward Dream Cruise: Events, Parking, and What to Know
Car enthusiasts are gearing up for the upcoming weekend, specifically the Woodward Dream Cruise. Promoted as the “world’s largest one-day automotive event,” the Woodward Dream Cruise draws over a million visitors and showcases approximately 40,000 classic cars each year. The event features a diverse array of classic cars, muscle cars, and hot rods from various regions of the United States.
Scheduled for August 18-19, the Woodward Dream Cruise will run from 9 am to 9 pm on both days. The cruising action will begin in Ferndale and extend to Pontiac.
The event is free for both drivers and spectators, but if you’re not driving a classic car, stay out of the two right lanes near the curb.
Events and more
Different communities along the route have their own events. Many of them are kicking off on Friday. In Berkley, you can relish the CruiseFest Classic Car Parade from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Friday. Meanwhile, Friday will also see the Ferndale Emergency Vehicle Show from 1 pm to 7 pm. The show will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5 pm, followed by the thrilling Lights & Sirens Cruise at 5:30 pm. Additional attractions include MMRA’s Quarter Midget Racing Cars, available from 12 pm to 8 pm, the Rock’n Live Entertainment Stage operating from 1 pm to 9:30 pm, and the Mustang Alley event on Saturday, which will run from 10 am to 6 pm.
Over in Royal Oak, the Performance Park Classic Car Show will grace Friday from noon to 7 pm, while the Cruise in Shoes 5K will energize participants from 8 am to 9:30 am.
Pleasant Ridge will host the Ford Bronco Show from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday. Lastly, for those in Pontiac, the Classic Car Show will unfold from 9 am to 9 pm on Friday. DJ Aaron at Hidden River will play a set from 12:30 pm to 6:30 pm. the Woodward Dream Parade will grace the route on Saturday from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.
Woodward Dream Cruise Parking
Parking is offered in these cities along Woodward Ave. In Berkley, activities are close to downtown parking decks. Ferndale has parking at its municipal lots near Woodward Avenue and Nine Mile Rd. In Pontiac, there are lots and street parking in the downtown area. Royal Oak provides guest parking at municipal lots and is within walking distance from Woodward. Specific locations include:
- Royal Oak Golf Center: Coolidge and West 13 Mile Rd.
- Gunn Dyer Park: South of Normandy, between Coolidge and Woodward.
- Upton Park: South of West 14 Mile Rd and Coolidge.
2 Michigan Car Shows Named Best In The Nation
According to USA Today’s 10 Best, two car shows in Michigan are among the best in the nation. Amongst cities like Los Angeles, California, Louisville, Kentucky, and others, Detroit and Pontiac made the list.
Number six
The Woodward Dream Cruise took the number 6 spot for the best car show. Currently, it’s the world’s biggest cruise drawing in over one million people and over 40,000 classic cars each year. It started as a small fundraiser for a soccer field in Ferndale in 1995.
Nelson House and a group of volunteers looked to relive and recreate the nostalgic times of the ’50s and ’60s on Woodward Avenue. Annually, the Woodward Dream Cruise takes place in August on the third Saturday from 9 am to 9 pm.
Number five
Ahead of the Woodward Dream Cruise, the site listed Pontiac’s Cars & Coffee event. On the first Saturday of each month, car enthusiasts gather to showcase their cars at M1 Concourse. Each event has a unique car theme, with selected cars matching the theme displayed in the arena parking area. Members of the M1 Concourse Car Club will have their vehicles on display as well.
While all other vehicles are welcome to park at the trackside, some of their upcoming events include GM brands, antique, vintage, and classics, and Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury. See their complete list of shows here.
What is the best car show in the nation?
They said that the best car show in the nation is on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Cruisin’ the Coast. It’s considered “America’s largest block party,” with more than 7,000 cars in a large show along the beachside highway on the Mississippi Coast. Happening since 1996, the annual event has live music, food, merchandise, a car auction, a swap meet, and a parade.
Here are 4 Michigan auto shows to check out this year.
Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it.
She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel.
A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community.
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