The Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan region has its fair share of car shows, car clubs, and swap meets to satisfy car and motorcycle enthusiasts living or visiting the region. We’ve listed the key (get it?) events and organizations throughout the state. Find a calendar of upcoming car shows and related events below.
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Auto clubs and car museums in Washington State
AAA Washington was established in 1904 by 10 Seattle businessmen with the mission of making automobile travel safe, comfortable and affordable. In the early years, AAA helped create legislation and enact laws, erect directional signs, develop traffic codes and licensing, and conventions such as headlamps driving in darkness, a muffler, brakes, car horns, and speed limits. A century later the fruits of their labor are still visible throughout our state. Today, AAA offers travel, insurance, financial and automotive services, and is active in highway and transportation safety programs. Membership begins at $65/year and includes towing, lockout, flat tire change, fuel delivery, discounts, and other benefits. (Many insurance plans include similar service as a benefit, so check with your broker or insurance company before you enroll.)
Classic Car Community is a national website devoted to classic and historical vehicles. It is free to join the online community and access their collection of online resources, including classified ads, events, and other information relevant to the classic car enthusiast. They maintain a list of auto clubs around the country, including a long list of auto clubs in Washington State.
Goodguys Rod & Custom Association is the world’s largest hot-rodding association with over 70,000 active members worldwide. Goodguys events feature thousands of hot rods, customs, tricked out trucks, muscle cars, and classics at events across the country, including Washington State car shows. Membership begins at $25 and includes discounts, magazine/newsletter, and other benefits.
Griot’s Garage & Retail Store in Tacoma is a family-owned retail store that develops and manufactures leading-edge car care products and accessories. Their Art Deco inspired headquarters features a rotating display of vintage autos. You’ll likely see something new every time you visit. Learn detailing secrets in their free Car Care School.
LeMay – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma includes 300 domestic and foreign cars in rotating exhibits and open storage galleries for vehicles not on active display, giving visitors the opportunity to see the majority of the collection on any visit. Explore the collections via hands-on activities, visit the gift shop, slot car track and racing simulators, and attend special automotive events throughout the year. Rated as one of the best automotive museums worldwide. Admission: $18/adult; dome activities additional charge. Individual membership: $50/year includes unlimited admission plus other benefits.
Ongoing car shows and cruise-ins
You can visit the link or scroll down to our calendar of car shows.
Monthly Griot’s Garage cruise-in car show in Tacoma (year-round)
Griot’s Garage in Tacoma hosts monthly ‘Caffeine & Gasoline’ cruise-in car shows. You might see exotic supercars, street rods, tuner cars, race machines, and more on the first Saturday of every month. Each month has a different theme, but all kinds of cars are welcome. Cruise in to their Tacoma Flagship Retail Store in your favorite ride and hang out over coffee and donuts. It doesn’t get much better than this. It’s a great chance to talk cars with fellow enthusiasts, get inspiration for your own projects, and tune in to the local car scene.
Monthly Exotics@RTC free car enthusiast gathering in Redmond (April – October)
Exotics@RTC free car enthusiast gathering in Redmond Town Center parking lot. Weather permitting, the show is held weekly on Saturdays from April to October, 9:00 until 11:00 AM. It’s the largest weekly car gathering across the United States. Best of all, it’s free, family-friendly, and outdoors. Rain usually cancels the event. When the weather looks iffy, or if you want to know about any special events that may be happening, be sure to check the Exotics@RTC Facebook page before you head over there. Throughout each season, there are special events including unique themes, pre-production and prototype cars, new model unveilings, and occasional sessions with automotive company management. Find Exotics on the south side of Redmond Town Center. For special events, cars will be located in the center mall as well as the south lots.
Annual auto shows and car swap meets in the Puget Sound region
Listed below are briefs descriptions of the major auto shows in the Puget Sound region. For more details, click on the link for each event. Also scroll down to the calendar below for a list of all upcoming auto shows, car shows, and automobile swap meets.
(Listed alphabetically by city.)
2023 Cruzin’ to Colby events
- Saturday May 27: 5:00pm – Kick Off Concert. 10:00pm After hours party
- Sunday May 28: 5:00pm-9:00pm – Controlled Cruise in Downtown Everett. 6:00pm-9:00pm – Pro Audio Sound Off Competition. 9:00pm-2:00am – Rock-N-Roll Dance.
- Monday May 29: 9:00am-4:00pm – Show and Shine in Downtown Everett. 3:00pm-4:00pm – Show and Shine Trophy Presentation.
- Website: SHOW INFO | Cruizin’ 2 Colby (cruzin2colby.com)
Everett Cruizin’ 2 Colby (cruzin2colby.com) annual cruise and car show. Cruzin’ to Colby was created by a passionate group of people in 1999. The car show has been one of the largest events in downtown Everett for many years, attracting hundreds of thousands of participants over the years. The dedicated sponsors and vendors have made it possible to contribute over $250,000 dollars to local charities. Hosted by a group of volunteers who are committed to the continuation of this cherished community tradition, the weekend includes several events including parties and a dance.
Binford’s Field of Dreams | Kent WA | Facebook. hosts car cruises throughout the year, typically spring to fall.
Monroe Auto Swap Meet (previously known as the Seattle Auto Swap Meet) is the Pacific Northwest’s Oldest Automotive Swap Meet at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds. When: spring.
2023 Good Guys/Griot’s Pacific Northwest Nationals Auto Show
- When: July 28-30, 2023. Friday – 8:00am to 5:00pm. Saturday – 8:00am to 8:00pm. Sunday – 8:00am to 3:00pm.
- Where: Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Avenue SW, Puyallup, WA 98371
- Tickets: Adult $28/day at the gate. Youth (7-12) $10. Youth ages 6 and under are free. Save on advance online purchase. Discount for Goodguys members.
- Website: Goodguys Griot’s Garage Pacific Northwest Nationals (good-guys.com)
Puyallup Good Guys Pacific Northwest Nationals Auto Show on the Washington State Fair Grounds features hundreds of Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars and Trucks. Plus a Saturday cruise, exhibits, swap meet, Kids Zone, live entertainment, and more. Tickets: $25. Discounts: GG Members receive a discount on tickets. When: summer.
Seattle International Auto Show is the city’s annual showcase of all that’s new in cars, trucks, crossovers, vans, hybrids, SUV, electrics, alternative fuel vehicles, exotics, supercars, and all the latest models from the world’s automobile makers. Get behind the wheels of many different brands. Driving simulator. Kids’ activities. Hours: Thursday 12-9pm, Friday 9am-9 pm, Saturday/Sunday: 9am-6pm. Tickets: $16 (ages 13+). Kids 12 and under are FREE. Discount: advanced online purchase discount on admission tickets and reserved parking. When: fall.
2023 Seattle International Auto Show
Seattle’s annual showcase of new wheels: cars, trucks, crossovers, vans, hybrids, SUV, electrics, alternative fuel vehicles, exotics, and supercars, PLUS all the latest models from the world’s automobile makers. Get behind the wheels of many different brands. Driving simulator. Kids’ activities.
- When: November 16-19, 2023. Hours: Thu 12PM – 9PM, Fri-Sat 10AM – 9PM, Sun 10AM – 6PM.
- Where: Lumen Field Event Center
- Parking: Paid parking available at Lumen Field Event Center and surrounding lots. Discounted parking at T-Mobile Park when you purchase tickets online; accessible shuttles are available.
- Admission: Adults (13+) $17, Seniors (62+) $15, Military (all D.O.D. IDs) $15, Kids (12 & under) FREE.
- More info: https://www.seattleautoshow.com/
Find many more car shows at community festivals and other events throughout the year in the calendar list below.
Calendar of car shows, air shows, and train events
The following events on our calendar include car shows, air shows, train excursions and other car, aviation, and train events around the Puget Sound region.
Sunday, September 24, 2023
Monday, September 25, 2023
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Friday, September 29, 2023
Saturday, September 30, 2023
Sunday, October 1, 2023
Monday, October 2, 2023
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Friday, October 6, 2023
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Sunday, October 8, 2023
Monday, October 9, 2023
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Friday, October 13, 2023
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Monday, October 16, 2023
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Friday, October 20, 2023
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Monday, October 23, 2023
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Friday, October 27, 2023
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Friday, November 17, 2023
Saturday, November 18, 2023
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Saturday, December 2, 2023
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- Find free and cheap things to do every day on the Greater Seattle on the Cheap event calendar.
- Visit the Greater Seattle on the Cheap home page and choose from a menu of free and cheap activities in the Puget Sound region.
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