The arrival of cars more than a century ago was quickly followed by the growth of a community around them. Auto enthusiasts love to swap stories about their pride and joy, show them, shine them, drive, socialize, check out the latest models and parts — or just relax in the company of like-minded owners.

Car shows, car and coffee gatherings, and cruise nights enable car fans to do just that. Venues can include local dealerships, repair shops, city parks and main streets, while aftermarket specialists can help modify or upgrade vehicles. In Winnipeg, for example, Nineties Grid and Midori Winnipeg hold fortnightly “Cars and Caffeine” meets through the summer, focused on Japanese cars.

Courtesy of David Wile.

National and regional events happen at an even larger scale. The Canadian International AutoShow (CIAS) is held each February in Toronto. The Western Canadian Nationals Car Show, for hot rods, custom cars and classics, rotates annually between Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Both bring thousands of enthusiasts together.

Interested in joining the fun? Here are some notable automotive events in Manitoba to check out. For a comprehensive list of upcoming local cruises, shows and other events, check out the Cruise Nightly website.

Cruise nights

Cruise nights and car shows are a great way to meet like-minded car owners and enthusiasts. Many run from May to September. For example, the clubs and individuals who make up Brandon & Area Car Enthusiasts (BACE) have cruise nights on the first Thursday of each month in downtown Brandon, along with Sunday car shows on 18th Street. Meanwhile, in Minnedosa, there are summer meets at the Dari Isle Drive-In on the last Wednesday of each month.

Courtesy of David Wile.

Fabulous ’50s Car Show

Billed as Manitoba’s largest car show, this huge outdoor event, held annually in September, features hundreds of collector vehicles. Vintage Fords from the organizing club — the Fabulous ’50s Ford Club of Manitoba — sit alongside classic and modern vehicles of all brands, from traditional hot rods and muscle cars to European classics. The show’s 30th edition takes place on Sept. 13, 2026, at the Red River Exhibition Park in Winnipeg. It costs $10 to enter a vehicle, but spectator entry is free aside from a $5 parking charge. Visitors can enjoy vendors, live entertainment and food trucks on site.

Driven Aftermarket Car Show

Driven takes place in major centres across Canada through the spring and early summer, including a July stop at the Red River Exhibition Park in Winnipeg. It bills itself as Canada’s largest automotive show dedicated to car culture and aftermarket parts and services. Driven is a fun show with an emphasis on the contemporary tuning scene, where enthusiasts modify and personalize their vehicles. It features modified Japanese, European and other vehicles, plus vendors with aftermarket parts, accessories, clothing and more. Tickets for the 2026 show were around $25 for adults and about half that for concessions.

Start driving. Discover the people, communities and events keeping car culture thriving across Canada. Click here to explore the latest issue of CAA Magazine and learn more about the car enthusiasts in your area bringing their passion for the road to life.