Cars are central to Detroit culture--which is why it makes sense that the world’s largest one-day automotive event is right here in our metro area. The Woodward Dream Cruise returns Saturday, August 16, 2025, celebrating an incredible 30 years of car culture, community, and Detroit’s enduring automotive heritage.
Ever since the early 1900s, automobile manufacturing and the advent of mass production has made Detroit the epicenter of car culture for decades.
In the spirit of that culture, the Woodward Dream Cruise has evolved from a grassroots fundraiser to an epic event with more than 40,000 classic cars from around the world cruising down America's first paved highway, Woodward Avenue. In keeping with tradition, each year, more than 50 local charities benefit from the sale of official Dream Cruise merchandise and refreshments.
According to the history on the official website, Nelson House and a group of local volunteers looked to relive and recreate the nostalgic heydays of the ’50s and ’60s, when youth, rock’n roll, and Motor City steel roamed the historic Woodward Avenue. That year, nearly 250,000 people participated—ten times the number expected.
USA Today recently ranked the Woodward Dream Cruise as one of the best car shows in the nation.
This year will feature tons of special events, including recognizing the legendary Martha Reeves of ‘Martha Reeves and the Vandellas’ and the 60th Anniversary of the hit single 'Nowhere To Run' and the iconic music video with Martha and the Vandellas sitting in a 1965 Mustang as it's being assembled on the assembly line. There will be an autograph session with Martha Reeves immediately following the parade at East Nine Mile Rd and Woodward.
From Ferndale to Pontiac, enjoy curated displays of vintage, muscle, and specialty vehicles.
While the event typically showcases classic cars, automobile manufacturers have taken advantage of having an enthusiastic and attentive crowd by showcasing newer vehicles as well. This year, an auxiliary event called the Clean Cruise brought out electric vehicles. Amy Rogghe, founder of the Michigan Electric Vehicle Alliance, told the Detroit Free Press that the goal of the clean cruise is to tell the truth, dispel myths, and “show people how awesome it is to own” an EV.
While the Woodward Dream Cruise is based in the suburbs of Detroit, classic car enthusiasts can still be seen unofficially cruising inside the city limits. From downtown back up again, from early August until after the main event ends, classic cars can be spotted all through the city.
The Dream Cruise will also feature lots of kid-friendly activities to inspire the next generation of car fanatics. A highlight of the weekend is the M1 Concourse Woodward Dream Festival on Friday, August 15th from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. The celebration will feature 500+ cars on-site, historic and motorsports Dodge Viper Display, Meijer Family Kids Zone, food trucks, and musical entertainment. Cost: Adults $35, Kids under the age of 11 are FREE. Another highlight is the Ferndale Dream Cruise 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM which features an emergency vehicle show (1pm to 7pm), Lights & Sirens Cruise Parade (5:30pm), Kids Car Club & Play Zone (all day), live entertainment, and food & merchant vendors. This one is free for everyone.
In a news feature, several metro Detroiters shared their reflections. "My best Dream Cruise memory was the first one back in 1995," said Jerry Janager. "Very few cars out on the road, nice bunch of people but it started a tradition we still have had 29 years later."
Another fan noted, "I drove in the very first Dream Cruise, and I have driven in every one since." Keith Weber added, "At one point, I have driven in at least a dozen cars."
Car culture is unique to Detroit and the Dream Cruise also creates space for community building. In one recent feel-good story, an auto shop has helped a family complete a restoration on a classic car that the owner was restoring for this year's cruise--but, sadly 61-year-old Richard Wilson passed away just weeks before the event.
According to the story on WXYZ, "For 25 years, the classic car sat unfinished, even after Wilson installed a new engine nearly two years ago." Dale Cramer, Wilson's brother-in-law, noted that the car enthusiast is likely "looking down on us right now blown away with excitement. I know he is."
If you are coming to visit and enjoy the Dream Cruise. Here are some of our hotel recommendations.
American Inn & Suites — Ferndale Royal Oak
At American inn & suites - Ferndale Royal Oak, we provide signature hometown hospitality and relaxing accommodations along M-102 near the heart of Detroit. You’ll have easy access to the exciting downtown area, Detroit Zoo, and more. If you’re flying in or out of the city, Oakland County International Airport (PTK) and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) are a short drive away.
Hotel Royal Oak – Royal Oak
If you’re looking for laid-back cool with a splash of retro charm, Hotel Royal Oak delivers. Designed with a nod to classic motor-lodge style, this boutique stay blends clean, modern touches with playful pops of color and local flair. Grab a complimentary bike to cruise around the lively downtown, or step out to enjoy Royal Oak’s eclectic dining and nightlife scene just blocks away.
Hyatt Place – Detroit Royal Oak
Bright, contemporary, and perfectly positioned, Hyatt Place – Detroit Royal Oak blends modern convenience with a relaxed, welcoming vibe. Spacious rooms, a 24/7 menu, and a prime location make it ideal for both leisure and business travelers. After a day of cruising Woodward, unwind with a drink in the casual lobby lounge or take in the downtown buzz from the hotel’s doorstep.
The Daxton Hotel – Birmingham
Sleek, modern, and dripping with art-world swagger, The Daxton Hotel is where luxury meets the unexpected. This boutique gem boasts bold design, curated art pieces from around the globe, and a culinary program that turns dinner into performance art. Whether you’re sipping craft cocktails at the chic bar or lounging in plush, light-filled rooms, The Daxton wraps you in a sense of modern glamour that still feels warm and approachable.
The Townsend Hotel – Birmingham
An icon of elegance in Birmingham, The Townsend has long been the choice for those who appreciate timeless luxury. Known for impeccable service, refined dining at The Rugby Grille, and plush accommodations, it’s a hotel that makes you feel both pampered and at home. Whether you’re here for afternoon tea or a front-row seat to Birmingham’s social scene, The Townsend delivers classic hospitality with modern touches.
Hotel Indigo Detroit Downtown
The 241-room Hotel Indigo, once a Holiday Inn Express & Suites, has been transformed into a retro style hotel highlighting and embracing Detroit’s musical roots. Paying homage to the city's legacy in Motown, rock 'n roll, and hip-hop, Hotel Indigo has infused Detroit's musical heritage into every corner of the hotel.
The renovation blends a mid-century modern aesthetic with imagery from Detroit's iconic 1960s music scene. The mid-century modern design is a tribute to when the hotel first opened as a Howard Johnson Motor Lodge in 1966. The guestroom corridors and headboards draw inspiration from sound waves and musical instruments, reflecting the rhythm and energy of music throughout the space.
Trumbull & Porter
Newly refurbished and newly discovered, Trumbull & Porter has undergone a major renovation touching all aspects of the hotel including 144 guest rooms, drinks and dining, a spacious fitness center and an outdoor courtyard that has become the place in Detroit to see and be seen. An impressive collection of art and commissioned installation art can be found throughout the common spaces.
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