Charlotte Car Enthusiast's Local Event Guide
Charlotte's automotive scene is thriving like never before. From weekend Cars & Coffee gatherings to massive collector car events, the Queen City offers something for every type of car enthusiast. Whether you're into classic muscle cars, exotic supercars, vintage collectibles, or modern performance vehicles, Charlotte's diverse car community welcomes all makes, models, and enthusiasts.
This guide will help you navigate the best car events Charlotte, NC has to offer, ensuring you never miss an opportunity to connect with fellow gearheads, show off your ride, or simply admire automotive excellence throughout the region.
Monthly Events: Your Regular Car Culture Fix
Cars & Coffee
The cornerstone of Charlotte's car scene revolves around multiple Cars & Coffee events throughout the month. Cars and Coffee Charlotte is a casual monthly gathering of auto enthusiasts that get together on the 1st Saturday of every month at the old Charlotte Coliseum off of Yorkmount Rd to share a common enthusiasm for all things that spit, sputter, and roar!
Cars & Coffee Concord takes place the third Saturday of each month from 8-11 a.m. at Charlotte Motor Speedway's Fan Zone, offering free spectator admission with no show registration or fees! This location provides an iconic backdrop for showcasing classics, customs, and hot rods.
Additional Cars & Coffee events pop up throughout the Charlotte area, including gatherings in Cornelius, Lake Norman, and various suburban locations. These events typically run from early morning until late morning, perfect for starting your weekend with caffeine and horsepower.
Monthly Cruise-Ins and Specialty Events
Charlotte's cruise-in scene offers regular opportunities for car enthusiasts to gather.
Downtown Monroe Classic Car Cruise-In happens the second Friday of each month from April through October. Historic Downtown Monroe transforms into a showcase of vintage vehicles, offering family-friendly entertainment with food, music, and hundreds of classic cars.
Kannapolis Cruise-In takes place the second Saturday of each month, drawing over 500 classics to downtown Kannapolis. This event consistently features some of the finest cars in the region.
Oakboro Cruise-In claims the title of North Carolina's largest downtown cruise-in, held the fourth Friday of each month. Cars start arriving in the afternoon, with the main event running from 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM, complete with burnout contests.
Events in Mint Hill include both Friday evening cruise-ins and Sunday afternoon "Hot Rods on the Lawn" gatherings, providing multiple opportunities throughout the month for car enthusiasts to connect.
Major Annual Car Events
Charlotte AutoFair
Every Spring, the Charlotte AutoFair boasts the largest auto event in the Southeast of the US. Located at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, more than 5,000 vendor spaces and 50,000 visitors attend every year. The Charlotte AutoFair offers two shows per year, one in the spring (April 3rd-5th, 2025) and fall (September 4th-6th, 2025).
This massive event combines a collector car flea market with vehicle displays, offering everything from restoration parts and automotive memorabilia to complete classic cars for sale. The spring event includes the National AACA Southeastern Spring Meet, while the fall event features the Hornets Nest Auto Fest with additional cruise-in components.
Charlotte International Auto Show
The Charlotte Auto Show takes place November 20th-23rd, 2025 at the Charlotte Convention Center, featuring the latest automotive technology, electric vehicles, and new model launches from major manufacturers. This family-friendly event offers test drives, educational displays, and special presentations about the future of automotive technology.
Specialty and Exotic Car Events
Charlotte's diverse car scene includes specialized gatherings for specific interests.
Exotics & Espresso events, hosted by Lamborghini Charlotte, bring together owners of high-end supercars and exotic vehicles for exclusive morning gatherings.
Stuttgart Saturday events cater to Porsche enthusiasts, typically hosted at the Hendrick Porsche dealership.
Brand-specific meetups regularly occur throughout the area, including Corvette club gatherings, Mustang meetups, and import car shows.
Gateway Classic Cars hosts "Caffeine and Chrome" events, while Streetside Classics organizes "Caffeine and Classics" gatherings, both offering opportunities to view premium classic and collector vehicles.
Getting Connected & Staying Informed
The Charlotte car scene moves quickly, with events added regularly and schedules sometimes changing due to weather or venue availability. Several resources help enthusiasts stay current:
Charlotte Car Shows maintains comprehensive event listings and social media updates, serving as the go-to source for current car events in Charlotte, NC.
Social media groups for specific car types, local clubs, and venue-specific pages provide real-time updates and community discussion.
Local dealerships and automotive businesses often host or sponsor events, making them valuable sources for event information and networking opportunities.
Part of Charlotte's Car Community
Charlotte's thriving car scene reflects a community that truly understands automotive passion. Events range from casual morning coffee gatherings to massive multi-day affairs, ensuring there's always something happening for car enthusiasts.
At Gearbox Auto, we're proud to be part of this vibrant car community in Charlotte. Our secure car storage facility serves enthusiasts who attend these events regularly – people who drive their cars, show their cars, and share their passion with fellow enthusiasts.
Whether you're heading to your first Charlotte car show or you're a veteran of the local scene, having the right premium car storage solution means your car is always ready when the next great event comes around. After all, the best part of a car event in the Charlotte area isn't just seeing amazing vehicles – it's being able to drive your own.
