Classic Cars, Small-Town Fun & Plenty of Cheese: Frankenmuth Auto Fest 2026

There’s nothing quite like Auto Fest weekend in Frankenmuth. The rumble of engines, rows of incredible cars, and Main Street packed with visitors make it one of the most exciting weekends of the year. The 43rd Annual Frankenmuth Auto Fest rolls into town September 11–13, 2026, bringing thousands of classic cars, hot rods, muscle cars, and automotive fans to Michigan’s Little Bavaria.

And when you need a break from admiring all that horsepower, there’s another Frankenmuth classic waiting for you: Frankenmuth Cheese Haus.

More Than 40 Years of Auto Fest

Frankenmuth Auto Fest started back in 1983 as a small gathering in the St. Lorenz parking lot and has grown into a massive three-day celebration throughout Frankenmuth. Today, the event welcomes around 2,500 vehicles and more than 180,000 visitors, with cars traveling from across the United States and even Canada to take part.

The best part? There’s something different happening throughout the entire weekend.

Friday: Start Your Engines

Friday kicks things off at Heritage Park, where visitors can wander through rows of cars, check out vendors, grab some food, and see the Bavarian Cup showcase. Later that evening, the action moves downtown for the Big Block Party on Main Street, featuring more than 2,000 rides lining the streets. The night wraps up with the Auto Explosion Drone Show at 9 p.m.

Saturday: Cars, Cars & More Cars

Saturday brings another full day of vehicles, vendors, food, entertainment, and Auto Fest fun at Heritage Park. It’s the perfect day to take your time walking the show, finding your favorite ride, and enjoying everything happening around Frankenmuth.

Sunday: One More Lap

Auto Fest continues Sunday with more vehicles in Heritage Park, including cars from 1988 and newer, before the weekend concludes with the Bavarian Cup winners and awards ceremony.

Make a Pit Stop at the Cheese Haus

All that walking and car watching can work up an appetite.

While you’re enjoying Auto Fest, cruise over to the Frankenmuth Cheese Haus and make cheese part of your weekend. The Cheese Haus has been a Frankenmuth landmark since 1968 and offers everything from cheeses and made-in-haus cheese spreads to meats, crackers, pretzels, sauces, and Michigan-made goodies.

Need snacks to take back to the show? Pick up some Cheese Haus Butter Pretzels, your favorite cheese, and a spread for an easy snack. Looking for something to take home after the weekend? Grab some Holland Smoked Gouda, meats, crackers, or a few Cheese Haus favorites to build your own road-trip snack stash.

And don’t forget to leave a little room in the cooler. You never know what new cheese might catch your eye once you walk through the door.

Cars, Cheese & a Weekend in Frankenmuth

Frankenmuth Auto Fest is about more than the cars. It’s a weekend of traditions, good food, packed streets, and thousands of people coming together to enjoy the town. The event is also a major community fundraiser supporting local organizations, with more than $1.8 million raised over the past 12 years.

So grab your walking shoes, bring your camera, and get ready for one of Frankenmuth’s biggest weekends of the year.

Come for the classic cars. Stay for the Frankenmuth fun. And make sure you make a pit stop for cheese along the way. 🧀🚗

Plan Your Auto Fest Weekend

Frankenmuth Auto Fest: September 11–13, 2026
Main events: Heritage Park & Downtown Frankenmuth
Cheese stop: Frankenmuth Cheese Haus