Car shows in Southwest Michigan are more than weekend entertainment—they’re a lifestyle. From vintage cruise-ins and classic car parades to scenic road rallies and museum shows, this region offers a rich and rewarding car culture for travelers, collectors, and road trip lovers alike.
At Copper Top Ridge, our guests often come for the beach but stay for the rumble of classic engines and the charm of small-town cruise nights. Whether you’re chasing sunsets at a lakeside show or planning a Michigan road trip for car lovers, here’s your guide to auto events near New Buffalo and throughout Southwest Michigan.
🌅 Harbor Country Cruise Nights & New Buffalo Car Events
Throughout the warmer months, you’ll find cruise nights in Southwest Michigan from New Buffalo to St. Joseph. These are casual, welcoming events perfect for car lovers of all ages.
- St. Joe Cruise Nights – Thursdays near Silver Beach. Locals and visitors gather downtown to admire a wide mix of vintage rides, custom cars, and street rods parked along the bluff. Nearby shops and ice cream parlors stay open late, giving the event a lively, family-friendly atmosphere.
- Three Oaks Car Meets – Held periodically near the historic Vickers Theatre, these informal gatherings offer a charming small-town backdrop for showing off classics and chatting with other enthusiasts over coffee or craft beer.
- Bridgman Summer Concert Series – As part of their Friday night music series downtown, Bridgman invites local car owners to display vehicles along Lake Street. The result is a relaxed evening of live music, food trucks, and muscle cars under the stars.
These events pair beautifully with drives along Red Arrow Highway, a favorite route featured in our Lake Michigan Beaches Road Trip itinerary.
💬 Pro Tip: Bring a double camp chair for two to relax in style while keeping your vehicle looking show-ready.
Annual Car Shows & Auto Events in Southwest Michigan
🚙 Lakeshore Harvest Road Rally
This annual fall event is part rally, part scavenger hunt through Michigan’s wine country. Starting in the Fennville area, teams follow scenic backroads using only a map and a clue sheet to find local farms, wineries, and roadside attractions. Each stop features seasonal produce, wine tastings, or artisan goods. It’s a fun, family-friendly alternative to traditional car shows that highlights the beauty of Michigan’s rural landscape.
📍 lakeshoreharvestcountry.com
Pair your rally weekend with our Luxury Wine & Brewery Tour, or bring this trunk organizer + wine cooler for your own picnic setup.
🚘 Redbud Car Show – Buchanan, MI
Held during Buchanan’s Redbud City Fest each summer, this show takes over the city commons with hundreds of classic and custom cars. Expect an eclectic mix—from ’50s fins to lifted trucks to modern muscle. Live bands, food vendors, a beer tent, and local artists round out the experience, making it feel more like a small-town fair than just a car show.
📍 cityofbuchanan.com
🛋️ Blueberry Festival Car Show – South Haven
Part of the National Blueberry Festival, this show draws auto enthusiasts and families alike. Cars line the streets of downtown South Haven, with Lake Michigan just blocks away. From restored antiques to exotic imports, the variety is impressive. After checking out the cars, visitors enjoy pie-eating contests, live music, carnival rides, and local blueberry treats.
📍 blueberryfestival.com
🚛 Bertrand Fairgrounds Cruise-In – Niles, MI
This grassroots show is a hidden gem for those who love classic trucks, rat rods, and small-town hospitality. Hosted at the Bertrand Fairgrounds, the event features a relaxed, open-lawn layout with easy parking, food stands, live DJ sets, and occasional swap meet vendors. It’s a favorite for gearheads who want to show their builds without the pressure of competition.
🏆 Must-See Car Culture Destinations in Michigan
🚗 Upcoming Car Shows in Southwest Michigan
🏎️ Gilmore Car Museum – Hickory Corners
Just over an hour from Copper Top Ridge lies one of the largest vintage car museums in North America. The Gilmore hosts themed shows nearly every weekend from spring through fall—everything from Corvette weekends to British car day and air-cooled VW reunions. The 90-acre campus includes historic barns, an old-fashioned Shell station, a 1940s diner, and exhibits ranging from muscle cars to Duesenbergs.
📍 gilmorecarmuseum.org
🚘 St. Ignace Car Show Weekend
This iconic show held in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is worth the drive. It spans several days of cruises, car displays, burnouts, and awards—all against the stunning backdrop of the Mackinac Bridge. Downtown St. Ignace fills with hundreds of classic and custom cars, and Friday’s parade draws a huge crowd. Many attendees make a full vacation of it, pairing the show with hiking, ferry rides to Mackinac Island, and lakeshore exploring.
📍 stignace.com
Planning a long-haul drive? Keep a NOCO jumper pack in your trunk—compact, powerful, and essential for vintage rides or remote stretches of highway.
🧰 Coming from Indiana?
Heading up to Harbor Country from Indiana? Make a pit stop at Lochmandy Ford of Knox for routine maintenance or a pre-trip inspection. Their service team will make sure your vehicle is road-trip ready so you can enjoy the open road with confidence.
🔧 Stay Car Show-Ready at Copper Top Ridge
- Private, secure parking for your ride
- E-bike rentals for easy cruising to downtown New Buffalo
- Outdoor grill + fire pit for post-show hangouts
- Roomy interiors for storing gear, coolers, or signage
- Add-ons available: Charcuterie Boards, Wine Tours, Kayaking Trips
Need a last-minute polish before the show? Grab a bottle of this quick wax spray and keep your paint glistening for the spotlight.
🛣️ Your Road. Your Route. Your Ridge.
Whether you’re here for the dunes or the drive, car shows in Southwest Michigan offer the perfect mix of community, craftsmanship, and chrome.
Book your stay at Copper Top Ridge and cruise into a weekend that’s equal parts scenic and unforgettable.