Must-See Annual Auto Shows Every Car Enthusiast Should Experience At Least Once In Their Lifetime
From all corners of the globe, there are car shows made for every kind of car lover. Whether you are into classic muscle cars, futuristic prototypes or current year models there is an auto show for you.
Catch these yearly car shows to see the coolest cars and stay up to date on current automotive news and automotive technology. If you're lucky, you won't have to travel very far.
Dubai International Motor Show
If you are planning on taking a trip overseas or already live nearby then this show is must-see. Filled wall-to-wall with some of the most exclusive cars on the market, there is almost nothing you won't find at this auto show.
The event takes place in November over a 5-day period and is labeled as one of the largest auto shows in the Middle East. Dubai International Motor Show attracts thousands of car enthusiasts from across the globe. With Dubai topping the list of places to visit, you can make a fun and exciting trip while attending this car show.
Busan International Motor Show
Hundreds of thousands of car enthusiasts visit this show every year to catch a glimpse of some of the most exclusive automobiles on the planet. There are dozens of car manufacturers who come out to show off their latest models before they reach the mainstream market.
The Busan International Motor Show is held every year in June with a new theme for each show. Exhibitors that attend include domestic and foreign car brands, commercial brands, and even electric car makers. Outside of the auto show, Busan has a lot of must-see attractions for a well-rounded vacation.
Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS)
Going into its 40th anniversary, the Bangkok International Motor Show brings out the most high-tech vehicles the market has to offer. The show starts at the end of March and goes into April.
Cars are unveiled at this event as manufacturers want to show off their latest and greatest to a massive crowd. If you see a vehicle that you like at the car show, you have the option to touch, test drive and even purchase the vehicle on the spot. The car show also allows visitors to E-Race against one another in virtual reality.
Guangzhou International Motor Show
This 9-day car show held every year in November is a must-see. With over 1100 cars on display, which include concept cars and globally debuted cars, you can find almost anything you are looking to explore.
Electric cars make up over 100 of the showcased cars that are on display as popularity and global recognition grow for EVs. In addition to showcasing cars, the Guangzhou International Motor Show also has the Guangzhou International Vehicle Summit every year where speakers from all over discuss the future of automotive and the technology that will drive that future.
Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS)
Held every year in August over a 10-day period, the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show is the biggest show auto show in Indonesia. Endorsed by OICA (Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles) in 2006, the show has been running for over 30 years and continues to grow.
The show originally started in 1986 with only 13 visitors. The show exhibits dozens of concept vehicles and even features motorcycles. Visitor experiences including test driving and test riding as well as some educational booths where you can learn about all the cars at the show.
Auto Shanghai
One of the larger and more popular car shows in the world, Auto Shanghai brings visitors from all over to see and hear about the newest vehicles on the market. The event takes place every other year in April.
The event spans over a period of seven days and attracts almost a million visitors. Organizers of the event pride themselves on giving visitors and exhibitors a first-class experience. With China being at the center of some of the newest and most advanced automotive technology, you are sure to experience something new and exciting at this show.
Tokyo Auto Salon
The Tokyo Auto Salon runs annually over a 3-day period in January and has been growing in popularity since it debuted over 35 years ago. The show focuses on entertainment and customization and is attended by hundreds of thousands of car enthusiasts from all over the world.
There are over 4,000 booths for you to visit, and over the span of the show, you can catch the collectible car auction, live concerts and some admission free areas that allow you to test drive cars. You can even enter your own car in the Tokyo International Custom Car Contest which spans over eight categories and has three winners. There are over 900 vehicles to experience during this show.
Tokyo Motor Show
Similar to the Tokyo Auto Salon held every other year, the Tokyo Motor Show is one that is held annually in late October and early November over the span of a week. Every day of the event has hundreds of thousands of visitors.
At this show, like others, you can test-drive and test-ride vehicles, but that's not all, you can also visit the colorful and fun Tomica Corner to test your racing skills in the Gran Turismo Sport area. You can also visit the Student Formula Section or listen to some of the speakers in the symposium.
Barcelona International Motor Show
Celebrating 100 years of shows, this event is held annually in Barcelona and is a beautiful show filled with fun events and amazing vehicles. The show takes place in May over a week and has a few days reserved for the press. Celebrating the history of the show, the event has a magnificent showcase of classic cars and stunning exhibits to show them off.
When you aren't looking at vehicles there are other fun activities and dozens of expert auto speakers who talk at seminars that you can attend during the show.
London Motor and Tech Show
While not as large as some of the other shows on this list, the London Motor and Tech Show has grown in size over the years. It showcases over 200 cars and there are a load of different experiences that you can find while you are walking around.
The show includes parades, celebrities, drifting taxis (yes, you read that right), monster trucks, and supercar zones. There are also experts on hand who are available to answer any and all questions that you may have about any of the cars that you see. The show happens every May and spans over five days.
Paris Motor Show
Paris hosts one of the most important auto shows in the world and has become a staple event for many avid car show attendees. The massive event is held every other year during the month of October. The Paris Motor Show showcases some of the best car news and exhibits that you will find at an auto show.
The show brings out over a million visitors and has been running full steam ahead since the 1880s. The show has gained a reputation for being an industry leader. Its importance is based around the fact that there are so many brands who come to the event and showcase their vehicles.
Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA)
Spanning back over 120 years, the Frankfurt Motor show also known as IAA, is one of the more popular auto shows in the world. The organizers pride themselves on being the leader in the international forum for mobility and bringing forth everything new in the automotive industry.
Not only does the auto show feature cars they also showcase the latest technology in the industry. This show, like others on our list, attracts hundreds of thousands of car enthusiasts every year and is held during the month of September in Germany.
Geneva International Motor Show
Every year the Geneva International Motor Show takes place during March and draws thousands from all across the globe. This show is designed to bring out the best of what automotive news and trends has to offer. The Geneva International Motor Show has been around since 1905 and every year the show continues to grow and expand.
The event is centered around a new theme every year with some of the most recent themes following the futuristic trend and electronic vehicles. The show features over 900 cars, 600,000 visitors and over 150 premieres from all over Europe and the rest of the world.
Autorama Detroit
Considered a flagship auto show, the Autorama is a must-see for all things cars. Held every year in Detroit, Autorama is perfect for almost every car enthusiast.
Detroit has such a deep and long-standing history with the manufacturing of vehicles that it only makes sense that the biggest car show of the year would be held there. In addition to the over 800 vehicles that you will be able to see, you can also expect to run into celebrities and plenty of custom cars.
New York International Auto Show
The New York International Auto Show features over a thousand vehicles and has been around since the early 1900s. The show takes place every April and spans 10 days with several days being reserved for media coverage only.
Traditionally on the first day of the event, there is a big red ribbon-cutting ceremony that draws in big crowds and adds to this exciting experience. Considered one of the largest auto shows in the country almost any vehicle you can think of will be on display.
North American International Auto Show
This annual show held in Detroit prides itself on bringing out new models while allowing visitors to test out new rides. The organizers aim for the event to be more of an experience than a show and have a slew of entertainment to keep guests engaged.
The North American International Auto Show takes place every year during June. Unlike most of the other car shows on our list, this event showcases more hands-on and immersive activities including live concerts, various outdoor activities, and virtual reality simulations.
Texas Auto Show
They say that everything is bigger in Texas and the Texas Auto Show is proof of that motto. First, the show is nearly a month-long, starting at the end of September and going through mid-October. The show displays over 400 new vehicles and has hands-on exhibits and test drives and rides for those who want to do more than just explore from a distance.
The Texas Auto Show also occurs at the same time as the Texas State Fair. If you're traveling with someone who could care less about cars, they will still have plenty to enjoy with all of the fair's rides, games, and deep-fried foods.
Canadian International Auto Show
The Canadian International Auto Show is the largest auto show in Canada. It happens annually every February in Toronto and lasts a little over a week. Being the largest show in the country, every year the show attracts over 500,000 visitors.
Dozens of car manufacturers put their vehicles on display and the show's organizers bring in musical talent and entertainment to keep everyday of the show lively and fun. This show has a large collection of games to play, classic cars to peruse, and race cars in addition to the sports, luxury, and muscle cars that draw everyone's eye.
