Car enthusiasts pay homage to Detroit’s “Motor City” roots with this year’s 24th annual Woodward Dream Cruise, inspiring a day full of car culture and nostalgia, served up at festivals and booths that pop up along Woodward Avenue, happening Aug. 17, 2019.
The official Woodward Dream Cruise runs 9 a.m.-9 p.m. when over 1 million vehicle aficionados congregate for “the world’s largest one-day” classic-car extravaganza, according to organizers.
Peruse and admire more than 40,000 rods, custom, collector and muscle automobiles drift down a 16-mile stretch of Woodward Avenue, with the procession beginning in Ferndale and making its way to Pontiac and back.
Make a pit stop in any one of the seven communities hosting events – including Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Ferndale, Royal Oak, Pontiac and Pleasant Ridge – to amp up the family fun. Even before the actual event, you’ll find tons of family fun.
Youngsters can hit the Kid’s Inflatable Zone at 12 Mile and Tyler in Berkley from 6-9 p.m. Friday night or play games at the DTE Energy Booth featuring winnable prizes while parents watch the city’s own classic car parade from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Ferndale’s Rock’n Live Entertainment Stage kick off Thursday afternoon and continues through Saturday. Whet your appetite for powerful engines and sleek auto bodies on Friday when the 19th Ferndale Emergency Vehicle Show and Lights and Sirens Cruise light up east of Woodward Avenue.
Pontiac’s Classic Car Show runs Saturday, featuring live entertainment, vendors and more.
And Royal Oak’s own Performance Park Classic Car Show gets fancy in Memorial Park from noon-7 p.m. Friday and continues 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday.
You can also team up with your most loyal sneakers Saturday morning for the “Cruise In Shoes” 5K at Shrine High School Athletic Field.
Hop in the car and see what all the hubbub’s about! The event is free to cruise or watch the event, but pocket cash for parking, merchandise, food vendors and games.
Looking to learn more about the 2019 Woodward Dream Cruise? Head over to the Metro Parent calendar to learn about this and more family-friendly weekend events and August festivals in metro Detroit.
This post was originally published in 2013 and is updated regularly.