Top Car Meets & Auto Shows in Minneapolis Every Enthusiast Should Attend

Introduction

Minneapolis, part of the Twin Cities, isn’t just known for its lakes, arts scene, and cold winters—it’s also a hub for car culture. Enthusiasts from classic muscle to sleek imports and custom builds are active here, through both official auto shows and grassroots meets. The Twin Cities Auto Show draws large crowds and features domestic & imported vehicles from many brands. Local groups like MN Cars & Coffee and History Cruzers bring the community together regularly. Whether someone loves restored classics, euro-tuners, hot rods, or exotics, Minneapolis offers plenty of venues and events to explore.

Car Meets & Auto Shows List

Here are several of the top car-meets, shows, and driving experiences in and around Minneapolis.

• Twin Cities Auto Show
  • When: January 3-11, 2026.
  • Where: Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55403.
  • What to Expect: One of the biggest auto shows in the region. Exhibitors from many domestic and import brands, displays of new models, interactive features, and plenty of inventory to compare. Good for staying on top of the automotive market.

• MN Cars & Coffee
  • When: Multiple dates in 2025. Some meetups are Saturdays (e.g. May 3, Sept 6) or Fridays in the evening.
  • Where: Various locations around Minneapolis; one notable event is the “Mississippi Mile” Aquatennial car show at 196 West River Parkway, Minneapolis.
  • What to Expect: Casual, friendly gathering. A wide variety of cars (daily drivers, modified, exotics, classics). Great chance to connect with people, see what local builders are doing, enjoy a relaxed car show atmosphere.

• Manual Driving Academy Driving Experience
  • What it is: Lessons in driving manual (stick-shift) cars under the guidance of expert instructors. Helps with clutch control, shifting, starts/stops, building confidence.
  • Where: Manual Driving Academy has a location in Minneapolis, MN.
  • Why attend: Gift certificates available and never expire. Ideal if you want to enjoy car shows more fully (e.g., being able to drive your own car with more control), or want to take your driving skills to the next level beyond just watching.

• North Saint Paul History Cruze Car Show
  • When: Fridays from early summer through mid-September (2025 schedule runs through September).
  • Where: 2266 Second Street North, North St. Paul, MN 55109.
  • What to Expect: Classic cars, hot rods, custom jobs, local car clubs showing builds. Food trucks, music, community vibe. It’s a strong local favorite.

• Back to the ‘50s Weekend (MSRA Back to the 50s)
  • When: Annually in June (mid-June).
  • Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Ave N, St. Paul, MN. (~15-20 min from downtown Minneapolis depending on traffic).
  • What to Expect: Huge gathering of street rods, customs, classic restored vehicles (1964 and older). Swap meets, vendors, arts, food. A major event for vintage and classic car lovers.

• Specialty & Seasonal / Smaller Community Meets
  • History Cruzers Weekly Shows
    • Every Friday evening June-September in the Twin Cities metro area.
    • Good for seeing local builds, classic cars, socializing.
  • Viking Automotive Car Show (White Bear Township, MN)
    • Annual event.
  • Others via Motorwerks MINI / Local Dealerships
    • Local “Classic Car Show” events, smaller shows for charity, import/Euro-car themed events etc. (Often advertised through dealership networks and local clubs.)

Conclusion

Minneapolis packs a lively calendar for car enthusiasts—whether you love the roar of a V8, the style of a classic, the flair of an import, or the sleek lines of exotics. These meets and shows are more than just displays: they’re places to meet others who care, get inspired, and see craftsmanship, creativity, and community in action.

If you want to do more than admire—if you want to drive with more confidence, master a stick shift, enjoy your car beyond just parking—it’s well worth booking a lesson with Manual Driving Academy. Want to level up your driving game, show up at meets with pride, or just take control behind the wheel? Check out Manual Driving Academy here: Minneapolis, MN (gift certificates available and never expire).