ROLL-INS

Every Tuesday night from mid-May to late September, the Henderson Classic Car Roll-In draws more than 250 classic cars and 100 motorcycles to this charming downtown. Businesses, food vendors, the Henderson Farmers Market, Sibley County Historical Society and Joseph R. Brown Minnesota River Center are always open and ready to serve the more than 500 visitors at this popular weekly roll-in.

Cruise your way down the James-Younger Gang Outlaw Trail as it meanders through the historic old Dodd Road to the Toy Box Saloon in the small southern Minnesota town of Kilkenny for car roll-in’s the second Wednesday of the month, June through August from 5-8 p.m. In addition to watching the cool cars, trucks and bikes roll-in, there’s also meat raffles, electronic horse and pig racing, free cash drawings, and a live band. The Toy Box patio bar and kitchen are open for drinks and dining.

Got a classic car or bike that deserves the spotlight? Roll into downtown New Ulm the second Friday of the month, June through August from 4:30 to 9 p.m. for their Car and Bike Friday Night Roll-in’s. No registration is required, and all car enthusiasts are welcome to wander through the historic downtown to explore the charming specialty shops, and get some eats from Lola's Food Truck & Doggone Good Eats on-site. Quench your thirst at any of the bars and restaurants located along Minnesota Street and feel free to bring your beverages outside to enjoy while admiring cars and visiting with friends. 

Roll into Bemidji on Saturdays in the summer from 5 to 8 p.m. for the Paul Bunyan Vintage Auto Club First City Cruise-Ins. Held the third Saturday of the month, June through September, there’s no cost to attend and all are welcome including antique cars, collector cars, new electric and late-model vehicles and many more. Bring the whole family down for supper, with the Boy Scouts of America providing brats, chips, and soda.

CAR SHOWS

The nation’s number one car show, Back to the 50s Weekend, is held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds by the Minnesota Street Rod Association (MSRA). Every June, the three-day event brings an estimated 70,000 car enthusiasts to St. Paul for more than 12,000 street rods, customs, classics and restored vehicles (1964 and older). The weekend is filled with automobiles, a swap meet, a craft fair, food vendors, auto exhibits, and live music from the golden oldies era. 

The Cars & Caves car shows are held from April to September on the last Saturday of every month at the Chanhassen AutoPlex. The proprietors graciously extend an invitation to attendees by opening their garage doors for a variety of vehicles, including collector cars, muscle cars, antique vehicles, street rods, exotic cars, and vintage motorcycles.

Enjoy a showcase of great American automobiles from the 1920s, '30s and '40s at the St. Cloud “Pantowners" Antique Auto Club’s Annual Car Show & Swap Meet, the third Sunday in August. The show hosts more than 1,000 classic and restored cars, trucks, motorcycles and snowmobiles. Stroll through historic displays of antique pedal cars and bicycles, a model car contest, and an arts & crafts marketplace. Look for a deal at the swap meet or in the “Cars-4-Sale Corral.” Take a cruise Saturday evening during the fun-run for classic cars and motorcycles.

The Weekend of Wheels is held the last full weekend in July at the Itasca County Fairgrounds and the IRA Civic Center in Grand Rapids. The Northern Minnesota Car Show & Swap Meet includes more than 200 classic cars, over 200 vendor booths, a swap meet, entertainment and concessions. Admission is free to both shows and there are free shuttles between the IRA Civic Center and the Itasca County Fairgrounds on Saturday.   

Cruise the Great River Road Scenic Byway along the Mississippi River to Hastings for the Historic Hastings Car Show. Head downtown to 2nd Street the third Sunday of every month May through Sept. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for classic cars, piped-in music and great food.

Started as a gathering of “rodders” to spend the weekend together talking about, looking at and driving classic cars, the Annual Northern Knights Run to the Rapids Street Rod Show is now open to all attendees. Held the second weekend in August in Park Rapids, the Street Rod Show features a Friday night barbecue and live rock ‘n’ roll music. On Saturday, the party begins with the Show N' Shine on Main Street. The trophy presentation is at noon, with root beer floats at the C’Mon Inn in the evening.

Eight blocks of classic cars and Harley motorcycles line Superior Street in downtown Duluth during the annual Kolar Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac Classic Car Show in July. Part of Duluth’s Sidewalk Days Festival, the event features great shopping, mouthwatering food, toe-tapping music and fun for the kids in the heart of the city.

CAR CRUISES  

Head to Albert Lea for the Eddie Cochran Car Show & Music Festival in June, a celebration of the hometown hero best known for his hit “Summertime Blues.” The annual event includes live music on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings, leading up to the car show on Saturday in the historic downtown area. Attendees can enjoy live music, food vendors, dash plaques, and trophies. The History Center of Freeborn County hosts an Eddie Cochran exhibit year-round.

The New London to New Brighton Antique Car Run is an American version of the UK's prestigious London to Brighton event. Held the second Saturday in August, it starts in New London, winds 120 miles through the countryside, and ends in New Brighton. The run starts with a parade down Main Street in New London on Friday evening. Only vehicles from 1908 or earlier, or any 1- or 2-cylinder vehicles up to 1915, are eligible to participate, adding turn-of-the-century charm to this unique event. 

This summer, cruise the mile-long beach along the famous West Lake Drive in Detroit Lakes. More than 200 cars gather on the second Wednesday of June through September for the Detroit Lakes Cruise DL Nights. Stop by one of the lakeside restaurants for a bite to eat and enjoy the view of classic cars parked beachside.  

During Dozinky Days in downtown New Prague, nearly 400 show worthy vintage autos begin and end their 20-mile journey on Main Street the third weekend in September. Experience the cruise either as a participant or as an observer while enjoying the Czech festivities, including a beer garden and street dance.

EXPLORE MORE

Other noteworthy car shows, roll-ins and cruises include: 

• Stewie Cruisers Friday Night Cruise-In’s (Stewartville)
• Faribault Car Cruise Nights (Faribault)
• Mustangs at the Island Car Show (Red Wing)
• Midwest Mopars in the Park Car Show (Stillwater)
• History Cruzer Car Show (North St. Paul)

Find more fun things to do in Minnesota this summer.