Plan Now for the Top Car Shows of 2025

Massively popular with automotive enthusiasts, car shows are also perfect for exploring the latest vehicles without a salesperson shadowing your every move. From the industry's biggest spectacles to the coolest regional events, here's a run-down of the car shows you won't want to miss in 2025.

The Big Three Auto Shows

Throughout the year, there are a lot of amazing auto shows from coast to coast — and pinpointing the top events is highly subjective. Chances are, you can find a killer show close to your neck of the woods. At the top of our personal list of favorites are three iconic events that set the standard for auto shows: 

Detroit Auto Show, January 10 – 20

Formally known as the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), the 2025 Detroit Auto Show will kick off a new year of auto shows on January 10th. It's set for Huntington Place, a huge downtown venue on the Detroit River with nearly 1,000,000 square feet of event space.

What to expect

NAIAS is back after a one-year hiatus caused by a scheduling hiccup. Expect tons of people — especially on opening day and during the weekends. If you can swing an off-peak weekday visit, you'll likely have a little more space to enjoy the exhibits.

What you'll see

NAIAS is widely regarded as the gold standard of American auto shows. You'll see mind-blowing supercars, innovative automotive technologies, and the popular Powering Michigan EV Experience where you can rocket down a 300-foot acceleration lane with a pro driver. 

The 2025 Detroit Auto Show will also feature confirmed appearances by celebrities including Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker and multi-platinum music star Flo Rida.

New York International Auto Show, April 18 – 27

The 2025 New York International Auto Show will be a bigger-than-usual deal, as the iconic event is celebrating its 125th anniversary. It’s held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in midtown Manhattan.

What to expect

The 2024 event included more than 700 vehicle displays across two floors of exhibition space covering a combined 1,000,000 square feet. Guided tours, interactive displays, an EV test track, and many other exhilarating experiences are in the works for 2025.

For additional insights, consult the show's official FAQ page.

What you'll see

At the moment, 27 leading automakers from around the world have confirmed that they'll be displaying their latest and most exciting vehicles at the 2025 New York International Auto Show. 

Beyond familiar mass-market names like General Motors, Honda, and Nissan, the confirmed lineup also includes luxury and exotic automakers such as Bentley, Lamborghini, Lotus, Lucid, and Rolls-Royce. Among many other attractions, you'll also see a huge lineup of jaw-dropping classic cars and have the chance to take a guided tour.

Chicago Auto Show, February 8 – 17

The 117th Chicago Auto Show will be held at McCormick Place on the shores of Lake Michigan. In addition to a massive lineup of new and classic vehicles, you can experience amazing test tracks and test drives. 

Test tracks are indoors, and participation rules vary by manufacturer. Outdoor test drives are open to anyone with a valid driver's license and you can sign up to try out the car of your choice at its manufacturer's booth.

What to expect

This mainstay of the annual U.S. auto show schedule always draws thick crowds. If you come at a peak time, like Friday night or during the weekend, expect lots of people and long lines.

For answers to common questions, consult the Chicago Auto Show's FAQ page.

What you'll see

The 2025 Chicago Auto Show will feature more than 20 of the world's top automakers, who will show off their latest production vehicles and concept cars. Every vehicle type you can imagine will be represented, from regular sedans and economy models to high-end luxury and supercars.

Here's a full list of the vehicles that will be on display.

You can also sign up for the First Look for Charity black-tie event, which will be held on Friday, February 7. All attendees will be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a brand-new car.

More great shows to watch for

While the Detroit, New York, and Chicago shows headline the national lineup, there are many other major and regional events worth checking out. Consider the shows below if you live locally, or if you have plans to be in the area:

Milwaukee Car Show, February 22 – March 2 

The Baird Center will play host to the 2025 Milwaukee Car Show. This show is close to our hearts, as it hosts the annual Technicians of Tomorrow competition, which we proudly sponsor. Every year, high school automotive technology students compete in a skills competition for prizes like tools and scholarships.   

Iola Auto Show, July 10 – 12

The Iola Old Car Show is a nonprofit event where enthusiasts show off stunning vintage vehicles. It will take place in Iola, Wisconsin in the heart of summer and will feature 2,500 show cars, 4,000 swap spaces, 1,600 campsites, and 350 for sale car corral spaces.

The Classic at Pismo Beach Car Show, May 30 – June 1 

Also known as the Pismo Car Show, The Classic at Pismo Beach features amazing classic cars, a charity auction, and much more. It takes place in downtown Pismo Beach, California, which is about 80 miles northwest of Santa Barbara.

Adirondack Nationals Car Show, September 4 – 7

Also called the Lake George Car Show, the Adirondack Nationals takes place in upstate New York, just north of Albany. In 2024, this popular muscle car show featured more than 1,500 vehicles from 236 vendors and promises to deliver more end-of-summer automotive thrills this year.

SEMA Show, November 4 – 7

The SEMA Show in Las Vegas has a large and loyal following, thanks in part to its unique guest experience. In addition to stunning high-performance vehicles and trade show exhibitions, visitors can participate in 100-ish professional-led automotive education events.

Los Angeles Auto Show, November 21 - 30

The L.A. Auto Show will make its annual return to the Los Angeles Convention Center on November 21 for a 10-day run that will wrap up on November 30. 

While exhibition details haven't been announced yet, organizers highlight L.A.'s status as the car-buying and EV capital of the United States. They also emphasize the event's longstanding history as a showcase for the latest automotive technology, and its vibrant celebrity-backed car culture. Expect these elements to make up a major part of the show's programming.

Keep an eye open for additional information as it becomes available by visiting the 2025 Los Angeles Auto Show's official website.

San Francisco International Auto Show, TBD

The 2024 San Francisco International Auto Show, which was scheduled for November 27 – December 1 at the Moscone Center, ended up being canceled. Organizers didn't specify a reason, but the show was on hiatus throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and it isn't clear when or even if the show will return. 

While the show's official website is currently listed as "under construction," we’ll keep an eye on it so you can check back here for updates.  

As an alternative, consider checking out the Silicon Valley Auto Show. Scheduled for February 21 – 23 at the Santa Clara Convention Center, the show highlights cutting-edge automotive technologies and will feature incredible new vehicles from manufacturers like Porsche and Tesla.

Tips for making the most of your 2025 auto show experience

Whether you're headed to a marquee event or attending a smaller regional show, planning ahead will help you have a better experience. Keep these tips in mind:

• Book early. While many of the most popular car shows accept walk-ups at the box office, tickets usually go on sale months in advance. Demand can be difficult to predict, so buying your tickets early is always smart.
   
• Consider alternatives to driving. If the show venue is accessible by public transit, consider using it. You'll save time and money, all while avoiding traffic jams in parking facilities.
   
• Dress comfortably. You'll be walking — a lot. Comfortable clothing and casual shoes with good foot support will make your day more pleasant.
   
• Give yourself lots of time. Huge event venues, parking snafus, and thick crowds mean it's wise to plan your day around the show to make sure you have time to enjoy everything you came to see.

Auto manufacturers also send customer representatives to shows where they'll be exhibiting vehicles. They won't hound you like a typical car salesperson would when you visit a lot, but they will be available to answer any questions you may have. Prepare some in advance if you're coming to check out new cars with an eye to potentially buying one.

Most importantly, have fun!