Woodward Dream Cruise 2023 in Detroit | Dates, Schedule of Events, Where to Park, Map | Where to Eat | Check Out the World's Biggest Cruise!

Woodward Dream Cruise 2023 | Last updated: December 1, 2022 | By Sherry Trautman | Travel-Mi.com

The Detroit Woodward Dream Cruise is the mothership of car events. I mean seriously, this incredible car cruise draws thousands of classic cars, muscle cars, trucks (and lots of crazy stuff) to thunder down Woodward Avenue between Pontiac and Ferndale.  Chris and I can't wait to go this August!

AND...more than 1.5 million car enthusiasts from all over the world are revved up to see some spectacular (and crazy) vehicles!

See the World's Biggest Cruise!

When is the 2023 Woodward Dream Cruise?

August 19, 2023!

BUT...several communities have fun events and classic car shows on August 18, 2023. See the event schedule below!

Woodward Dream Cruise Frequently Asked Questions 

What day is the Woodward Dream Cruise 2023? August 19, 2023

Is the Woodward Dream Cruise free? Yes, the Dream Cruise is free to attend! 

How long does the Woodward Dream Cruise last? The cruise is just one day!

• Anyone not driving a classic/muscle car are asked to stay out of the two right lanes nearest to the curb.

What time is the Woodward Dream Cruise? 9 am to 9 pm.  BUT many people with show cars in the static car shows begin to leave (as they want to cruise) around 3:30 pm so I recommend hitting up the shows in the morning.

Are Their Bathrooms?  In the more populated areas, especially in Royal Oak, there are porta johns along Woodward Avenue. 

Is it Safe To Attend?  As with any large city, don't leave your items unattended. Make sure your bags/purses are zipped and closed. There is a very large police presence at the show and we felt comfortable.  We recommend going as it is a great family event!

Is This Your First Time at the Woodward Dream Cruise?

If it’s your first time to the show, we recommend finding a spot somewhere between Royal Oak and Birmingham as this stretch gets the most traffic and excitement. 

We recommend arriving early so you can find parking off Woodward Avenue before the side streets and lots are full.

We recommend bringing:

• Ear plugs if you are noise sensitive (especially for young children)
• Folding chairs with umbrellas 
• Water/non-alcoholic drinks
• TP (in case the porta johns are out)
• Snacks
• Sunscreen

The Dream Cruise Consists of 9 Communities within Oakland County, Michigan

  

History of the Woodward Dream Cruise

Woodward Dream Cruise was dreamed up as a small fundraiser to raise money for a soccer field in Ferndale, Michigan. Then, in August 1995, a group of people wished to relive the fun of the 50's and 60's, when music and Motor City steel roared down Woodward Avenue.  Blowing away expectations, the event drew 250,000 people!

​Now, the Woodward Dream Cruise is the World’s Largest One-Day Automotive Event!

The Cruise brings about 1.5 million people and 40,000 classic cars to the area each summer.

People travel from all over the world to attend and be in the show.  It's an incredible experience!

Woodward Dream Cruise Map

Helpful Map Tips:

• Click on the plus and minus in the left corner to zoom in or out of the map.
• Click on the icons for more info, addresses and photos of the stops.
• Click on the map to drag and move it to view surrounding areas.
• In the Header, click on the rectangle in the upper left of the map to see a menu of all of our stops. Click on anything that looks interesting to see where it is on the map. To hide the menu, click the rectangle in the header. 
• In the Header, click on the "square" icon in the upper right side to expand the map for better viewing. 

Detroit Woodward Dream Cruise Schedule of Events (August 18-19, 2023) and Where to Park

The official parking App for Woodward Dream Cruise is ParkStash

City of Pontiac

It's definitely a burn out zone along Woodward Avenue in Pontiac!  

The Woodward Dream Parade is invitation only parade limited to 200 vehicles selected from the car clubs and owners. The police escorted parade and predetermined route will include cruising on Woodward Avenue and downtown Pontiac on historic Widetrack Drive. Participation is free for selected and invited car clubs and guests.

City of Pontiac Parking: There are several parking lots and parking structures in downtown Pontiac.

Bloomfield Township

No scheduled events

City of Birmingham

Saturday, August 19, 2023:

The Birmingham Cruise Event will feature classic cars of all makes and models, sponsor exhibits, food and more. The Birmingham Cruise Classic Car Show is within walking distance of Birmingham's five parking structures.  The first two hours are always free so stop by! 

• 9:00 am – 5:00 pm: Birmingham Cruise Classic Car Show in Downtown Birmingham

Get your Official Woodward Dream Cruise Merchandise all day.

City of Birmingham Parking: All Dream Cruise activities are close  walking distance from Birmingham's downtown parking decks.

WXYZ-TV Live Broadcast

WOMC 104.3 FM Live Broadcast

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City of Berkley

Friday, August 19, 2022:

• 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM: CruiseFest Classic Car Parade, On West 12 Mile Rd., between Coolidge & Greenfield Rd. (SEE MAP ABOVE)
• All day: Official Woodward Dream Cruise Merchandise, W. 12 Mile at Woodward Avenue

Saturday, August 20, 2022:

Woodward Dream Cruise

City of Royal Oak

Friday, August 19, 2022:

• 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Performance Park Classic Car Show

Saturday, August 20, 2022:

• 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Cruise In Shoes 5k Run & Walk
• 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM: Performance Park Classic Car Show
• ALL DAY: Official Woodward Dream Cruise Merchandise, Vendors & Food Court

City of Pleasant Ridge

Saturday, August 20, 2022: 

• ALL DAY: Official Woodward Dream Cruise Merchandise, Woodward & Oakland Park Blvd.
• 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Ford Bronco Show, Woodward & Oakland Park Blvd. (SEE MAP)

City of Ferndale

Friday, August 19, 2022 – Nine & Woodward (SEE MAP ABOVE)

East of Woodward

• 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Ferndale Emergency Vehicle Show & Ford Motor Co.
  
• 1:00 pm - 7:00 PM: Kids Play Zone and Kids Car Club
• 5:00 PM: Official Woodward Dream Cruise Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. 
•  5:30 PM: Lights & Sirens Cruise (begins at the corner of E. Nine Mile Rd & Woodward Ave. north to 11 Mile Rd and back).

West of Woodward

• 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM: A Storyland of Floats, presented by The Parade Company (from the Thanksgiving day parade)
• 1:00 PM – 9:30 PM: Rock’n Live Entertainment Stage

Saturday, August 20, 2022 @ Nine & Woodward

• 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Mustang Alley & Ford Motor Co.
  
• 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM: Kids Play Zone and Kids Car Club
• 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM: Rock’n Live Entertainment Stage

Both Days: Official Woodward Dream Cruise Merchandise, East 9 Mile Rd.

WOMC 104.3 FM Live Broadcast

City of Ferndale Parking: Parking lots surround downtown Ferndale, near Woodward Avenue & Nine Mile Rd.

Are There Bathrooms at the Woodward Dream Cruise?

There are lots of porta johns along Woodward Ave in the more populated areas. Memorial Park in Royal Oak has a large bank of porta johns for the classic car show. 

Are There Food Trucks or Places to Eat at Woodward Dream Cruise?

Absolutely! There are food trucks and vendors lining Woodward avenue in the more populated areas, especially Royal Oak and Ferndale. There are also lots of great restaurants along Woodward Avenue. We enjoyed eating at Brown Iron Brewhouse in Royal Oak.

• Chris was eyeing the Brown Iron Burger with Wagyu Beef, applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese and a yummy caramelized onion spread but got the Slow Smoke BBQ Pork sandwich with yummy pickles!
• I got the Cali salmon BLT with avocado crema...be sure to order extra crema, it's yummy!

Um, can you say BACON CANDY?  Drool. 

Grab Lunch or Dinner at Detroit's Diners Drive Ins and Dives While Enjoying the Woodward Dream Cruise!

Here's another idea....

Grab a meal at Detroit's Diners Drive Ins and Dive's! Guy Fieri style! And here's ALL of Michigan's Diners Drive Ins and Dives!

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