let’s reduce it
For car enthusiasts, there are few things bigger than a car show.
From meet-and-greets in a Denny’s car park to world-class media events where manufacturers showcase their latest innovations, automotive events allow enthusiasts to come together to celebrate their shared passion. Admittedly, it’s a bit difficult to narrow down a list of the best events when there are thousands of car-focused events every year, but there are only certain events that you can’t miss.
So what are the top 5 automotive events you need to attend in 2023? Let’s dive into it.
Chicago Auto Show – February 11-20, 2023, Chicago, Illinois
Taking place at Chicago’s iconic McCormick Place, the Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in the country.
Besides being the largest, it is also one of the oldest automotive events in the country, if not the world. Started in 1901 by Samuel A. Miles to introduce automakers to consumers new to the automotive world, the Chicago Auto Show has become synonymous with epic vehicle launches and groundbreaking concept cars. Notable debuts include the Dodge Viper RT/10 concept, Escort GT and Ford Mustang SVT Cobra. At first, the Chicago Auto Show focused on domestic vehicles, but as time passed and imported vehicles became the norm, the Chicago Auto Show shifted gears and attracted a international crowd.
Visitors can expect to see over 300 vehicles from 20 different manufacturers at this iconic event. For a traditional auto show, it doesn’t get better than this!
SEMA – October 31 – November 3, 2023, Las Vegas, Nevada
Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, SEMA (Speciality Equipment Manufacturers Association) is traditionally a trade show that caters to companies and individuals in the automotive aftermarket.
This means that to enter you must work in the automotive field or know someone who does. If you can get in, wow…enthusiasts for an incredible treat! Everything from custom builders flaunting the most outrageous custom builds to OEMs rolling out their latest concepts adorn the floor. It’s a feast for the eyes, ears and nose!
On top of all the outrageous stuff inside the show, SEMA is also a venerable festival of activity throughout the Las Vegas area. From Formula 1 cars racing down the Strip to Tanner Foust’s “drift taxi” screaming in the parking lot outside the convention center, there’s something around every turn at SEMA.
For 2023, SEMA is changing things up a bit to include the public in the action with events like SEMA Week 2023 and an Access Day for the general public. While you’ll miss the celebrities and car-focused giveaways, there’s still so much to see. If you can make it to Vegas, don’t miss this event!
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – August 23, 2023, Monterey, CA
Ah, there’s simply no such thing as the iconic Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Taking place every summer on the beautiful Monterey Peninsula, Concours is the epitome of a high-end automotive showcase. Owners of incredibly rare and spectacular vehicles of all types bring their vehicles to the resort town of Pebble Beach for a one-of-a-kind competition that takes place right on the iconic Pebble Fairway. There are several types of entries on file and several types of rewards to earn. From the best of the show to the awards of the best muscle cars or the best steam cars, it’s the crème de la crème of automotive perfection. Keep in mind that cars can’t come back for ten years after they’ve been shown, which means entries are always new and exciting. Additionally, 100% of donations go to United Way of Monterey County.
In addition to the actual competition, Monterey Car Week also takes place around the same time and includes events such as Monterey Historics at Laguna Seca and dozens of other car shows throughout the region.
Stunning natural surroundings, classic car racing and iconic motor racing? What more could you ask for?
New York International Auto Show, April 7-16, 2023, New York, New York
Held at the newly renovated Javits Place in Manhattan, the New York International Auto Show has been delighting its guests since 1900.
Since beating the Chicago Auto Show by a year, it holds the distinction of being the oldest auto show in the United States. Originally organized as a competition between the carriage and the horseless carriage, the NYIAS has become a place where the best in the world come to show their products. New York was the showcase for the automobile import movement that gripped the United States in the 1950s, largely due to its large European immigrant population. Cars from brands like Jaguar, SAAB, FIAT and Aston Martin have made a name for themselves in America thanks to the New York Auto Show.
Visitors today can expect cars, motorcycles and other mobility machinery to mingle with the latest and greatest in green technology. For 2023, visitors should check out the electric vehicle showcase with vehicles from brands like Volvo, GM, and more.
Woodward Dream Cruise, August 19, 2023, Pontiac, Michigan
If you love American culture, you shouldn’t miss the Woodward Dream Cruise which takes place every August near Pontiac Michigan.
Over a million people and 40,000 classic cars of all kinds show up to drive down Woodward Avenue through nine participating communities (Pontiac, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Royal Oak, Berkley, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge and Ferndale) in Oakland County, Michigan. What started as a fundraiser in 1995 has now morphed into an extravaganza that celebrates the automobile in all its glory. This is an event where people from all over the world come together to showcase their cars and just be in the mix, and the energy of it all.
For 2023, Ford (headquarters nearby) is the main sponsor of the event, so you can bet tons of Mustang enthusiasts will be lining the streets with their most iconic muscle cars. It’s a summertime tradition, and if you can make it to Michigan for a visit, it’s not to be missed.
Xtreme Xperience Track Days, nationwide, 2023
It’s one thing to walk around the living room and watch the supercars from a distance, and another thing to slip behind the wheel. Well guess what, with Xtreme Xperience you can do just that! (we just had to do a little self-promo here)
That’s right! We put you behind the wheel of a real supercar from brands such as Ferrari, Audi, Lamborghini, etc. That’s triple-digit speed in its own right on some of the country’s most iconic race tracks. You’ll sit shotgun with a professional driving instructor and learn everything there is to know about controlling the car and how to push it around a track. You’ll feel the power of the 600-horsepower machines as you flatten the throttle and cling to life.
If you love cars, this is an event you really can’t miss. Enjoy these machines in a way they were meant to be enjoyed, not sitting on an exhibition stand being wiped down with a rag. Feel the noise, feel the power and come experience Xtreme with us in 2023!
The post Top 5 Automotive Events To Attend In 2023 appeared first on Xtreme Xperience.
