Woodward Dream Cruise 2023 in Detroit | Dates, Schedule of Events, Where to Park, Map, M1 Concourse | Where to Eat | Check Out the World's Biggest Cruise!
Woodward Dream Cruise 2023 in Detroit | Dates, Schedule of Events, Where to Park, Map, M1 Concourse | Where to Eat | Check Out the World's Biggest Cruise!
Last updated: March 11, 2023 | By Sherry Trautman | Travel-Mi.com
The Detroit Woodward Dream Cruise is the mothership of all car events. It's a celebration of Woodward Ave and car enthusiasm in the heart of the Motor City. 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!
The Woodward Dream Cruise is the World's Biggest Cruise?
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
- Berkley
- Bloomfield Hills
- Ferndale
- Pleasant Ridge
- Royal Oak
- Birmingham
- Bloomfield Township
- Huntington Woods
- Pontiac
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
M1 Concourse Events During the Woodward Dream Cruise
Friday, August 18, 2023:
Hot rod, custom, cruiser, and muscle car show displayed around the M1 Circuit. Featured classes include the 70th anniversary of Corvette, MOPAR, and Ramchargers 65th anniversary. Food trucks, refreshments, and live entertainment.
Saturday, August 19, 2023
The Woodward Dream Parade is an escorted parade of 200 invited cars that will be cruising on Woodward Avenue and in downtown Pontiac.
The M1 Cruise-In (Saturday August 19th) will be an oasis open to anyone looking to park on the M1 Concourse Circuit. Experience Race Speed Track Experience (RSTEs) where you can can take a lap with a professional driver on the M1 Concourse Circuit. Food trucks, refreshments, and live entertainment.
Get your tickets for the MI Concourse events.
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
City of Berkley
Friday, August 18, 2023:
- 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM: CruiseFest Classic Car Parade, On West 12 Mile Rd., between Coolidge & Greenfield Rd.
- All Day: Official Woodward Dream Cruise Merchandise, West 12 Mile at Woodward Avenue
Saturday, August 19, 2023:
- All Day: Official Woodward Dream Cruise Merchandise, West 12 Mile Rd at Woodward Avenue
City of Royal Oak
Friday, August 18, 2023:
- 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Performance Park - Classic Car Show
- ALL DAY: Official Woodward Dream Cruise Merchandise, Vendors & Food Court
Saturday, August 19, 2023:
- 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Cruise In Shoes 5k Run
- 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 19, 2023:
- All Day: Official Woodward Dream Cruise Merchandise, Woodward & Oakland Park Blvd.
- 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Ford Bronco Show, Woodward & Oakland Park Blvd.
City of Ferndale
Friday, August 18, 2023 – Nine Mile Rd & Woodward
- 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Ferndale Emergency Vehicle Show
- 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).
- 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Kids Play Zone
- 1:00 PM – 9:30 PM: Rock’n Live Entertainment Stage
- All Day: Official Woodward Dream Cruise Merchandise, food and merchant vendors
Saturday, August 19, 2023 - Nine Mile Rd & Woodward
- 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Mustang Alley
- 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM: Kids Play Zone
- 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM: Rock’n Live Entertainment Stage
- All Day: Official Woodward Dream Cruise Merchandise, food and merchant vendors
WOMC 104.3 FM Live Broadcast
City of Ferndale Parking: Parking lots surround downtown Ferndale, near Woodward Avenue & Nine Mile Rd.
Things to do Nearby
Cranbrook Art Museum, 39221 Woodward Avenue. Cranbrook has a marvelous music or science center. Their gardens are also excellent and you can tour:
- The Saarinen House
- Behind the scenes collections wing tour
- Frank Lloyd Wright home
- Self-guided outdoors sculpture tours
- Cranbrook Observatory
Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical - Listed as one of the World Almanac’s 100 Most Unusual Museums, this is a place you need to see to believe. Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum, 31005 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills
My friend Marcy highly recommends eating at Sylvan Table which we will try this year. It is a farm to table restaurant. The restaurant is in a few hundred year old barn they moved from the east coast and built a farm around it. Cool, huh!
- Other restaurant ideas that come highly recommended from locals include the Latin restaurant Freya and The Apparatus Room.
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!
Subscribe To Receive Exciting Destinations, Day Trips and Fun Directly to Your Inbox!
Traveling Michigan NewsletterSign Up to Our Newsletter to Get the 5 Free Must Have Apps to Travel in Michigan Like a Boss!
Follow Us on Instagram
Questions or Ideas of Things to do in Michigan!?
Do you have a great idea or thought about this? Share it!
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...