Car Museums and Car shows in Columbus - Columbus on the Cheap (2024)

Car shows season is just a couple of months away in 2023, so if you’re a car enthusiast, you’ll want to check out some of the upcoming car shows in Columbus!

image: Empty Pockets Cruisers

Whether you like classic cars, muscle cars, or classic muscle cars, you’ll find cars of every style and condition – from pre-restoration to professionally restored.

Car enthusiast love to chat about their cars, and their dream cars, and the cars they had when they were younger, so you don’t have to have your own car to enjoy the show!

Walk around and make some new friends while you check out the classic and unique paint jobs, interiors, and more.

Our list isn’t all-inclusive, so we suggest you also check out Car Cruise Finder and Car Show Talk for more complete listings and details.

Car Museums in Columbus

Wagner-Jaybird Auto Collection, near German Village

The Wagner-Jaybird Auto Museum is a car lovers dream come true! Located in a nondescript garage near German Village, this private collection features classic cars from 2 collectors. The collection on display changes periodically and often includes cars from (but not limited to) the 1950’s and 1960’s, including a Ford Edsel, 1956 Chrysler Imperial, 1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II, and many more. Admission to the museum is free, donations accepted.

Appointments may be made by calling Steve Wagner at 614-271-0888. Most tours will be held on weekends or evenings. The museum typically opens from 10 am – 5 pm on Father’s Day for open tours. This museum is formerly known as the Wagner-Hagans Auto Museum.

Packard Columbus: The Hagans Auto Museum, near Polaris

Owner Mark Hagans used to be a part of the Wagner-Hagans Auto Museum, and has moved his private collection to Marengo, Ohio – just 20 minutes north of Polaris. Packard Columbus: The Hagans Auto Museum is a private/public museum is open to the public by appointment only.

The museum showcases a collection of cars, most pre-WW2 and many are Packards from years 1928 to1956. They also have Auburn, Pierce Arrow, LaSalle, Studebaker, Nash, Buicks, and Chrysler Imperial, plus dozens of signs, toys, and vintage newspapers on display.

Call Mark Hagans to schedule an appointment at 614 554 5879.

photo: Packard Columbus The Hagans Auto Museum

photo: Packard Columbus

Featured Car Shows in Columbus

Healing with Horsepower Car Show

May 20, 2023, 7 am – 2 pm
Five14 Church, 5744 N. Hamilton Rd. Columbus
$20 preregistration, $25 day-of registration
Proceeds provide behavioral health services to uninsured/underinsured Central Ohio residents
Details

Armed Forces Day Car Show with Empty Pockets Cruisers

May 20, 2023, 11 am to 4 pm
VFW Post 4931 2436 Walcutt Rd Columbus, OH 43228
Registration $10, Spectators Free
50 awards including Most Patriotic
Buckeye Military Moms Care Package Supply Drive
Facebook event

image: Empty Pockets Cruisers

Bryan Lewis Memorial Car Show with Empty Pockets Cruisers

June 3, 2023, 11 am to 4 pm
Upper Arlington Lutheran Church: Mill Run Campus, 3500 Mill Run Dr, Hilliard
Registration $10, Spectators Free
100 Dash plaques 50 Awards Door Prizes Music, Food & Drinks
Proceeds will benefit Learning 4 Life Farms Job Training for Autism
Facebook page

Columbus Good Guys PPG Nationals

July 7-9, 2023, starting at 8 am each day
Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds
Check out more than 6,000, 1972 & earlier hot rods, customs, classic, muscle cars, street machines and trucks.
Details

Annual Volksfest

August 12, 2023, from 10 am – 4 pm. (always the 2nd Saturday in Aug)
Watkins Memorial High School, 8868 Watkins Road, S.W., Pataskala, Ohio 43062
The COVVC is excited to announce Volksfest is back! Come help celebrate Ohio’s biggest single day vintage VW event! . All vintage and new Volkswagens are welcome. Also welcome are Porsche, Audi and any interesting air-cooled cars.
See website

photo courtesy of The Central Ohio Vintage Volkswagen Club

Powell Sertoma 31st Annual Cruise In & Pig Out

August 20, 2023 from 10 am – 3 pm. 47 Hall Street, Powell, OH 43065

Check out a wide variety of Classics, Hot Rods, Exotics and Collectable Cars and Trucks.

Register online ($20/car) if you are bringing a car to show; free for visitors. There is a People’s Choice Award and casual judging.

Powell Restaurants will be open for dining and refreshments. 100% of show proceeds are donated back to the community by Powell Sertoma. They have raised and donated over $900,000 back to the community.

credit: Powell Sertoma

Patriot Day Car Show with Empty Pockets Cruisers

Saturday, September 9, 2023, 11 am – 3 pm

CPT Nicholas J. Rozanski Memorial Post 4931, 2436 Walcutt Rd. Columbus, OH 43228
Registration: $10, Spectators Free. Details on Facebook.

All makes, models & years welcome 100 Dash Plaques & 50 Awards, Most Patriotic Door Prizes, Food Trucks & Music,

Trunk or Treat Car Show with Empty Pockets Cruisers

Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 11 am to 4 pm (rain 10-22-22)

Hilliard Presbyterian Church 3600 Leap Rd Hilliard, OH 43026
Registration $10, bring candy to hand out to trick or treaters from 1 -3 pm
Spectators and Trick or Treaters Free.

Details on Facebook.

image: Empty Pockets Cruisers