Indianapolis is famously known as the Racing Capital of the World—and home to the legendary Indy 500. But our love of cars doesn’t stop at the speedway! Indy is a place where gearheads, racing fans, and auto aficionados from across the country come together to show off their hottest rides.

From drag racing to car clubs, the Indianapolis region offers plenty of electrifying car shows throughout the year to ensure that every car enthusiast can get their fix! These events are typically open to the public, so even the most casual car lovers can join the fun and admire rare collector cars.  

Whether you’re interested in coveted vintage models or the newest EV innovations, trust me: Indy has the perfect car show for you. Check out some of the latest and greatest events for car enthusiasts in Indianapolis below! 

1. Mecum Auto Auctions

Every May and October, Mecum brings the world’s largest collector car auction to the Indiana State Fairgrounds! Thousands of motorcycles, trucks, and classic cars are auctioned off each year, including models any enthusiast would crave for their collection. 

This year, some of the main attractions include a 1968 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet Fastback—one of only 11 and a U.S. Nationals Winner—and an unrestored 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 Convertible with its original cranberry red paint. 

Mecum is especially great at helping collectors transport their vintage finds to and from the event. Their transportation services are fully enclosed and GPS-trackable to ensure your precious cargo arrives safe and sound. But you don’t need to be a buyer to enjoy the auction! Mecum Auctions are family-friendly and open to spectators with plenty of space to park your RV and camp out for the weekend.  

2. Central Indiana EV Showcase 

The Central Indiana EV Showcase is a place for EV drivers to show off their rides, while spectators learn about innovation in the automotive industry! This free event gives you a chance to test drive new EV models, meet local EV owners, and discover incentives to make the switch. There are even a few electric motorcycles to check out, if bikes are more your speed. 

Many people are cautious about joining the emerging electric vehicle movement. So, if you have concerns about hitting the brakes on ICE vehicles, this event is the ideal time to explore your options! Let the experts at the Central Indiana EV Showcase answer your burning questions and get you on the road to a more sustainable future.

3. Indianapolis Cars & Coffee 

No one goes harder than caffeine lovers and auto enthusiasts! Indianapolis Cars & Coffee brings those two passions together to create energizing, monthly events for local car lovers. You might even catch the occasional IndyCar driver joining their showcase, so make sure you keep an eye on social media for their latest news and events! 

Indianapolis Cars & Coffee is made for car enthusiasts who enjoy getting under the hood, while getting involved in the community. They truly value partnership, collaborating with local businesses, and sharing their donations with charities. In 2023, they raised over $60,000 for a non-profit called Folds of Honor—an organization that provides scholarships to families of fallen and disabled service members.

4. NHRA U.S. Nationals 

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway isn’t the only destination for high-speed motorsports. Since 1961, Lucas Oil Raceway Park has been the home of the NHRA U.S. Nationals—the biggest drag race in the world! 

Every Labor Day, thousands of drivers roar into town to test their mettle on the drag strip, reaching speeds up to 330 miles an hour in just seconds. Fans are also welcome to head down to the pits, where you can watch expert mechanics tune up their hot rods between rounds. 

And if you can’t make it to Nationals, Raceway Park offers a variety of other events for auto enthusiasts throughout the year. Check out their schedule for upcoming car shows, midget racing, and “Wild Wednesdays” where any licensed driver can race their cars down the strip! 

5. Autorama’s World of Wheels – Indianapolis

Autorama’s World of Wheels has become an annual tradition at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, where collectors and spectators can lay their eyes on priceless car models and meet some of the industry’s biggest stars. In 2024, attendees lined up to receive signed autographs from Danny Koker and Kevin Mack of Count’s Kustoms and Counting Cars.

The World of Wheels is a weekend-long event, so there’s plenty of time to explore their stunning exhibition of automobiles. They even offer cash prizes for exhibitors that win best in show. The first is the Circle City Award for $2000, and the second is the Hoosier Award which is $750. If you are a collector, be sure to come down to the Fairgrounds for a chance to win!

6. Cruisin’ the Amp

Indianapolis may be the epicenter of the racing world, but you can find bustling car clubs and community events all across Indiana—like Cruisin’ the Amp! This family-friendly car show takes place at the Youngs Creek Park in Franklin, Indiana.

Cruisin’ the Amp is designed to have something for everyone, keeping the whole family entertained while you admire the collection of cars on display. You can vibe to live music, grab some grub at the food trucks, sample craft drinks at the wine and beer garden, or even take an exhilarating ride in a tethered hot air balloon!

7. Artomobilia

Artomobilia is the largest single-day event in Carmel, drawing crowds of over 20,000 people looking for a piece of the action! It is free to attend and features over 500 cars of different eras, functions, and styles, including historic models, classic racers, and other exotic luxury vehicles. Exhibitors who choose to compete can even win awards such as Best in Class or “The Penultimate.”

But you don’t have to end your weekend there! Artomobilia collaborates with other local partners to host a series of events and activities for all audiences. The Friday before the main event, you can attend the VELOCE premium auto- and aircraft-focused hangar party in Zionsville. And if you stay through Sunday, you’ll see the SHIFT Road Rally carve a scenic 190-mile route through Southern Indiana. Check out Artomobilia’s event schedule to learn more!

8. Midwest Fest Car Show

Down at the Circle City Raceway, you’ll find the annual Midwest Fest Car Show, boasting over 1,200 unique show cars in its exhibition. There’s absolutely no shortage of custom cars on display. So, if you’re drawn to one-of-a-kind colors and designs, you won’t want to miss this show. Whether it’s a striking green Cybertruck or a dual-toned Porsche, there’s bound to be a ride that will catch your eye!

Midwest Fest is also a great place to try out some local minority-owned restaurants and businesses. In between browsing, you can grab a delicious bite to eat at the food truck rally or pick up some fire gear at a clothing vendor. There are even family-friendly activities for the kids to enjoy, including a humongous bounce house to explore!

9. Cruise Indy 

Cruise Indy believes true artistry is seen in motion! They invite collectors, clubs, motorcyclists, and other spectators to join the show, as they drive classic cars through the city. This cruise route usually involves three different stops along the way, where participants can connect with local car clubs, enjoy live music, dine at food trucks, and even experience the Indy Bi-Planes flyover.

If you want to be a part of something bigger, this traveling event is the perfect chance to network with local car collectors and find your community! You can also cruise with confidence knowing that every donation you make helps Folds of Honor fund scholarships for families of our fallen soldiers or first responders.

10. Spark!Fishers Car & Art Show 

Artists and automobile collectors might have more in common than you’d think! The annual Car & Art Show in Fishers combines the beauty of visual art and car craftsmanship all in one event! 

You talk shop with local collectors while admiring their vintage autos and muscle cars—and then browse fine art and woodworking from talented local artisans. The Car & Art Show is also a great place to network with the Fishers Art Council and find opportunities to collaborate. And once you’re done scratching your creative itch, you can visit one of the many food and drink vendors for refreshments.

The Car & Art Show is part of the city’s week-long Fourth of July festivities. So, if you’re in town for the show, I recommend checking out the concert lineup, racing in the 5K, cheering on the parade, or just watching the fireworks light up the summer sky.