The long, cold Ottawa winter finally surrenders to the glorious humidity of summer, and for every car enthusiast in the National Capital Region, that means one thing: Cruise season is here!
From the rumble of vintage muscle Car Shows at a local cruise night to the high-gloss shine of a multi-million-dollar exotic at a major show, Ottawa’s automotive scene truly comes alive when the sun is out. Whether you’re a die-hard gearhead, a casual admirer, or a family looking for a fun, free evening activity, the region offers a wealth of opportunities to get up close and personal with some incredible vehicles.
Forget about Car Shows endless event calendars. We’ve compiled the ultimate 2000-word guide to the must-attend car shows and weekly meets in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario for the summer of 2024. Get ready to mark your calendars, polish your ride, and soak in the best of the capital’s car culture!
The Major Car Shows: Ottawa’s Annual Automotive Celebrations
These are the premier, full-day events that draw vehicles and spectators from across Ontario, Quebec, and beyond. They are must-attend events for serious automotive enthusiasts.
Ottawa Ferrari Festival (Italian Week)
For a few days every June, Car Shows Street (Corso Italia) transforms into a concours d’elegance for Italian machinery. While the name highlights the Prancing Horse, the festival is a celebration of all Italian sports and exotic cars.
Focus: Italian Exotics (Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Alfa Romeo) and High-End Luxury.
The Vibe: High energy, street festival Car Shows. This event is as much about the food, culture, and community as it is about the cars. You’ll see priceless machinery parked casually along the curbs, often surrounded by massive, enthusiastic crowds.
Key Event: The Concorso d’Eleganza is the main spectacle, showcasing the rarest and best-preserved vehicles. Keep an eye out for the annual Ferrari Dream Ride for Charity—a chance to ride in a real Ferrari for a great cause.
Why You Must Go: It’s one of the few times you can see Car Shows of Ferraris lined up in the heart of the city, complete with the glorious sound of high-revving Italian V8s and V12s.
Import Expo (EY Centre)
Moving from elegance to edge, the Import Car Shows is where the modern tuning, modification, and JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) scenes collide. This is typically a large, indoor/outdoor event held later in the summer.
Focus: Tuner cars, modified vehicles, JDM, Euro tuning, custom paint, audio systems, and aftermarket performance.
The Vibe: Loud music, bright colours, air-brushed Car Shows, and cutting-edge technology. This is a show that appeals to the younger generation of car builders and the video game aesthetic.
Key Event: The Sound-Off Competition and various Best-in-Show categories for modified vehicles. Expect to see extreme body kits and meticulously crafted engine bays.
Why You Must Go: To see the latest trends in automotive Car Shows and connect with the performance and tuning community in the region.
All British Car Day (ABCD)
Dedicated to the legendary marques of Great Britain, the ABCD is a charming and historically rich event that typically takes place in Nepean.
Focus: Classic British Cars (MG, Triumph, Jaguar, Austin-Healey, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lotus, Mini, Land Rover).
The Vibe: Relaxed, family-friendly, and deeply Car Shows. Owners are often on hand to discuss the unique craftsmanship and quirks of their vehicles.
Key Event: The show often features a spotlight on a specific model or anniversary, offering a deep dive into British automotive history. It’s a great place to pick up unique British-themed merchandise.
Why You Must Go: To admire the elegance and engineering of classic UK motoring and meet a community passionate about preservation.
Driven Car Show (EY Centre)
A major late-summer event that brings together high-calibre vehicles from across Canada. Similar to Import Expo but often covering a broader range of domestic, European, and custom builds.
Focus: High-end modified cars, custom Car Shows, and competitive show vehicles.
The Vibe: A massive showcase of automotive excellence, attracting show-quality vehicles that compete for prestigious awards.
Why You Must Go: It’s an excellent way to close out the show season by seeing the highest level of detail and modification in the Canadian scene.
Weekly Cruise Nights: Where Local Culture Shines
For the dedicated car enthusiast, the heart of the Ottawa car scene isn’t in the big, annual shows—it’s in the reliable, weekly cruise nights. These are casual, drop-in events that are easy on the wallet and perfect for a mid-week dose of Car Shows.
Kanata Cruise Nights for CHEO (Tuesdays)
Easily one of the most established and community-focused cruise nights in the region, the Kanata Cruise Night is a weekly summer institution.
Location: Hazeldean Mall, Kanata (check specific lot details annually).
When: Every Tuesday evening (typically 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM) throughout the summer.
The Vibe: Traditional, classic car focus. It’s a multi-generational, family-friendly event. Expect to see everything from 1930s hot rods to 1970s muscle cars and highly customized trucks.
Cause: The event is a long-running fundraiser for the Car Shows Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), bringing a charitable spirit to the gathering.
Rideau Carleton Cruise Night (Wednesdays)
Held at the casino and racetrack, this mid-week meet offers a slightly different setting and often attracts a wide variety of vehicles, from classic to modern.
Location: Rideau Carleton Casino & Racetrack (specific parking area).
When: Every Wednesday evening (typically 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM).
The Vibe: Casual and spacious. The Car Shows size of the parking area allows for a huge turnout, often with a mix of American classics, European sports cars, and new-generation performance vehicles.
Kemptville Cruise Night (Fridays)
For those willing to drive south of the city, Kemptville offers a popular weekend starter for the Southern Ottawa car community.
Location: Highway 43 Car Club, Kemptville.
When: Every Friday evening (typically 6:00 PM onwards).
The Vibe: A friendly, smaller-town feel with an excellent Car Shows of vintage and collector cars. It’s a great spot to meet dedicated local gearheads.
Arnprior Cruise Night (Mondays)
West of the city, Arnprior kicks off the week with its long-running cruise night, often held at a local truck stop or major parking area.
Location: Antrim Truck Stop (a frequent location for this event).
When: Every Monday evening.
The Vibe: Traditional cruise night with a mix of Car Shows enthusiasts and drivers from the Ottawa Valley.
The Modern Meets: Coffee, Cars, and Community
The modern car scene is dominated by grassroots groups, often centred around coffee, early mornings, and a relaxed appreciation for all makes and models—from high-end exotics to well-detailed daily drivers.
Cars & Coffee Ottawa
This is the pinnacle of the modern meet-up. Car Shows & Coffee is a global phenomenon, and the Ottawa iteration attracts some of the rarest, most beautiful, and most expensive vehicles in the region.
Focus: A highly curated collection of high-end sports cars, exotics, classics, and unique customs. The quality of the vehicles is consistently high.
Location: Major venues like Lansdowne Park (TD Place) or other large, accessible parking areas.
When: Select Sunday mornings throughout the summer (check their official calendar for specific dates and locations).
The Vibe: Quiet, respectful admiration. The event usually runs from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, creating a sophisticated Sunday atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the Friday night cruise scene.
Why You Must Go: If you want to see Car Shows, Porsches, and vintage Corvettes all in one place, this is it.
Meat and Grease Ottawa
A unique event that brilliantly fuses two great passions: cars and barbecue, often with a charitable element.
Focus: Diverse mix of classic, muscle, and unique show cars, coupled with food vendors.
The Vibe: Fun, relaxed, and community-focused, often acting as a fundraiser for local causes like the Ottawa Heart Institute or CHEO.
Why You Must Go: You get to enjoy great food while checking out some cool cars—a perfect combination for a weekend afternoon.
Eastern Ontario Car Culture
The Ottawa Valley and surrounding Eastern Ontario region host fantastic smaller shows that are worth the short drive from the city.
Westport Car Show: Cruise & Shop
A highly-rated show in a picturesque village, making it a perfect family day trip.
Location: Westport, Ontario (on the shores of the Upper Rideau Lake).
Focus: All makes and models—antique, classic, collectible, and custom.
The Vibe: A beautiful lakeside setting that encourages visitors to Cruise & Shop. The village invites participants to stroll through local boutiques and enjoy the scenery.
Fitzroy Harbour Annual Car Show
A great example of a community-run event that brings together enthusiasts in a smaller, more intimate setting.
Location: Fitzroy Provincial Park (West of Ottawa).
Focus: A general mix of classic and custom vehicles, often with a strong local flavour.
Cause: Proceeds often go towards local charities or community groups, such as Special Olympics Arnprior.
Tips for Attending Ottawa Car Meets (The Gearhead Etiquette)
To ensure you have the best experience and respect the community, keep these Ottawa car show tips in mind:
Respect the Cars
These vehicles are personal treasures. Do not touch the car unless the owner invites you to. Maintain a safe distance, especially when doors or hoods are open.
Drive Respectfully
If you are attending in your own performance car, remember that cruise nights and meets are not race tracks. Excessive revving, burnouts, or speeding in or around the venue is dangerous, illegal, and will get events shut down.
Parking and Photography
At weekly meets, park in the designated spectator area if you are not exhibiting your vehicle. When taking photos, be quick, polite, and ensure you are not blocking walkways or preventing other spectators from viewing the vehicle.
Check Before You Go
While this guide offers confirmed annual events, specific dates, times, and locations for weekly meets (like Kanata Cruise Night) can change due to weather, venue availability, or holidays. Always check the official website or social media pages for the latest 2024 schedules before driving out.
