The World's Greatest Classic Car Show and Festival. Held every year the week before Labor Day.

The Auburn-Cord Duesenberg Festival has events for the entire family. Whether your interests are classic cars, swap meets, parades, or antiques, we have a little of everything. Tourists from around the world travel to Auburn Indiana annually to experience the Downtown Auburn Friday Cruise-In, the Parade of Classics, the Hoosier Tour, the Auburn auctions at both Worldwide Auctioneers and RM Auctions, museum events, and more.

2023 Schedule of events

Pre-festivial activities 

August 23, 2023

Dancing with the DeKalb Stars

Presented by Beacon Credit Union and the ACD Festival

You are invited to the 3rd Annual "Dancing with the DeKalb Stars", brought to you by Beacon Credit Union and the ACD Festival! This community event invites the area’s finest movers and shakers for an evening of friendly competition to raise money for Riley Children’s Foundation!   

This year’s “Stars” include:   

Liz Braden, 21Alive News Meteorologist  

Nora Schwartz, Development Director of Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana  

Mark Burnworth, Resource Development Coordinator at United Way of Dekalb County, and President of Young Professionals of Dekalb County  

Jason Rohrbach, owner of Heirloom Clock and Fine Art located Downtown Auburn  

Jama and Thompson Smith (our married star couple). Jama is the owner and marketing director of Littlejohn Auctions and President of Auburn Main Street; Thompson Smith is an attorney at Smith Law Group, PC in Auburn, IN.  

This event is sure to keep you entertained! The Wallen Road Band will be taking the stage after the competition, so stick around for live music, great wine, food, and even more fun, including raffle baskets up for bid during the evening. Thank you to Fort Wayne Ballroom for providing the lessons, partners and choreography for this event, and to Kent Johnson, the evening's emcee.    

Time: Dancing starts at 6:00 PM; concert will follow

Location: Country Heritage Winery, 185 County Road 68, LaOtto, IN

Cost: FREE, $1 per vote directly to the non-profit of your choosing

August 26, 2023

Cheers to the Festival, SUPERCHARGED!

Presented by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival 

Time: 6PM – 9PM

Location: Praxis Detailing/FUEL Social Club, 220 W. Ensley Ave, Auburn

Cost: $50 per person; (Two drinks included with admission, in addition to cash bar.)

August 27, 2023

Annual Garage Cruise

Presented by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival and National Auto & Truck Museum

Ever drive by a local garage and wonder what’s inside? This is the event for you! Take a Sunday drive to visit the garages and shops of local automotive enthusiasts and business owners for a behind-the-scenes look at their automotive projects and spaces. You never know what you will see--car memorabilia, antique signs, street rods, muscle cars, classic autos, specialty trucks and other unique projects. Tour the Garage Cruise locations in any order you choose. Visit the National Auto & Truck Museum--1000 Gordon Buehrig Place, Auburn, for tickets or more information. (260-925-9100) 

Time: 10AM - 4PM

Location: Auburn and surrounding areas

Cost: $10 for entire tour

Tuesday, August 29th 2023

Annual ACD Festival Hoosier Tour

Presented by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival

The Hoosier Tour welcomes fifty Auburns, Cords or Duesenbergs on a traveling tour to promote the ACD Festival and enjoy a variety of fun activities. The tour arrives back at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum on Thursday, Aug. 31, at 11:45 AM, with a performance by the Dixieland Band. Contact the Festival at [email protected] , for details and registration information.

Time: 8:30AM

Location: Tour leaves from the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum for a two-day trip throughout the region. This year’s tour will head south to visit Anderson and Carmel, IN.

Cost: Free to spectators; Pre-registration required for participants

August 30, 2023

The 16th Annual Auburn Auction--Preview

Presented by Worldwide Auctioneers

View cars and memorabilia in Worldwide Auctioneers' 200,000 sq ft. climate-controlled auction facility and gallery. 

Time: Doors open at 9 AM

Location: Worldwide Auctioneers Headquarters—5634 Opportunity Blvd., Auburn

Cost: Visit worldwideauctioneers.com for more info

August 31-September 2

Fall Swap Meet

Come celebrate Labor Day weekend at the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum. Automotive parts, tools and automobilia galore! Space rental (20 ft. x 30 ft.) is $25 with pre-registration preferred. Visit www.fordv8foundation.org, or call 260-927-8022 for additional event information, as well as for museum hours and admission prices.

Date: Wednesday, August 30th (Swap Meet Set Up); Thursday August 31st to Saturday, September 2nd (Swap Meet)

Time: 9AM - 5PM

Location: 2181 Rotunda Drive, Auburn IN

Cost: Free to spectators; $25 space rental

August 31-September 2

The 16th Annual Auburn Auction—Live Auction

Presented by Worldwide Auctioneers

View cars and memorabilia in Worldwide Auctioneers' 200,000 sq ft. climate-controlled auction facility and gallery. 

*Auction times are subject to change. Visit www.worldwideauctioneers.com for the most up-to-date schedule.

Date: Thursday, August 31 to Saturday, September 2nd

Time: Doors open at 9 AM. Car and memorabilia auction begins at 11 AM

Location: Worldwide Auctioneers Headquarters—5634 Opportunity Blvd., Auburn

Cost: Varies; visit worldwideauctioneers.com for more info

August 31-September 2

Destination Auburn

Presented by Worldwide Auctioneers

Shop a select marketplace of the best automotive lifestyle vendors from across the country, and take time out to enjoy the on-site car corral and swap meet with fellow enthusiasts. 

Date: Thursday, August 31st to Saturday, September 2nd

Time: 9AM - 6PM

Location: Worldwide Auctioneers Headquarters—5634 Opportunity Blvd., Auburn

Cost: Outside events are free to spectators; visit https://destinationauburn.com for more information

August 31-September 2

The “9th Street Experience”

Presented by the ACD Club

Be sure to check out the stars of the show--the Auburns, Cords and Duesenbergs of the ACD Club! Don’t forget to grab a snack at Martha’s Popcorn Stand, and check out the beautiful mural while you are there. It’s a Duesy!

Date: Thursday, August 31st to Saturday, September 2nd

Time: Evening

Location: 9th Street, near the Auburn Hotel

Cost: FREE

Thursday, August 31st 2023

Kick-Off Luncheon and Celebration

Sponsored by the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum; presented by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival

Join us as we celebrate the official start of the 2023 ACD Festival. View Auburns, Cords and Duesenbergs parked in front of the museum as they return from the Hoosier Tour. Enjoy the sounds of Auburn’s own Dixieland Band as old friends reunite and new friends meet. Hear highlights of the Hoosier Tour, along with updates on festival events and activities. Tickets are required and can be purchased at the ACD Festival office or online at www.acdfestival.org. Call 260-925-3600 for more information. 

Time: 12PM

Location: ACDA Museum, Willennar Hall

Cost: $20 per person

Auburn Cord Duesenberg Factory Meet and Greet

Presented by the Auburn Moose Family Center

All are welcome to enjoy vintage, second generation and special-interest cars while reconnecting with old friends and making new ones!

Time: 6PM - 11PM

Location: Auburn Moose Family Center--10th and Main Street

Cost: Admission is Free; Food and drink available for purchase

ACDA Museum Annual Benefit and Celebration

Presented by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum

This annual benefit and celebration is a must attend event for all! The evening is filled with music, entertainment, and fun! It all begins with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails served in the grand Art Deco Showroom. Following cocktail hour, guests will be ushered by live music to a delicious gourmet dinner, open bar, and entertainment. This benefit directly supports the museum and its programs, events, and exhibits and is one of the museum’s largest and most important fundraisers of the year.

For tickets, sponsorships, and more information visit www.automobilemuseum.org/events/museum-programs for tickets and more information, or call (260) 925-1444.

Time: 6PM - 10PM

Location: Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum

Cost: $150 per person; individual or corporate sponsorship tables available

Friday, September 1st, 2023

Pancake and Sausage Breakfast

Start your day with a hearty breakfast and camaraderie right in the heart of the museum district. Supporting the National Auto & Truck Museum never tasted so good!

Time: 7AM - 10AM

Location: NATM north parking lot

Cost: Donations to support the NATM museum are appreciated

ACD Club Swap Meet

Presented by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club

Join fellow automotive enthusiasts as you peruse the many auto-related items available.

Time: 7AM - 12PM

Location: Auburn Skate Park parking lot, near Eckhart Park

Cost: Free

Downtown Cruise-In

Sponsored by Hagerty, presented by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival

Downtown Auburn is THE place to be for the popular Friday ACD Festival Cruise-In. You will want to bring your vehicle for display as the downtown Auburn streets are closed for this unique gathering of worldwide visitors, all here to see the diverse mix of automobiles. Previous years have brought up to 800 cars to this event! Hot rods, muscle cars, imports, and everything in between descend upon downtown Auburn for this event. Stroll around the historic Auburn courthouse to take in the signs and sounds of this unique display of automobiles. Check out the “9th Street Experience”, located between Jackson and Main, to see the stars of the show--the Auburns, Cords and Duesenbergs of the ACD Club!

Time: Vehicle parking and registration begins at 10:00 AM, at the north gate--5th and Main St., and at the south gate--11th and Main St.

Location: Downtown Auburn, Courthouse Square

Cost: $15 per vehicle; Free for Spectators

September 1 and September 2

Cruise-In Cuisine

Presented by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival

Check out our Cruise-In Cuisine featuring The Brown House, Street Tacos, Alto Grado Pizza, Kona Ice, Smoking J’s, Exotics & Tacos, Waterloo Lions Club Burgers & Dogs, Shigs ‘N Pit, Ziffles, One Love, Baby Got S’Mac, Salsa Grille, WTFish, and More! Be sure to check out our downtown restaurants, too!

Date: Friday, September 1st and Saturday, September 2nd

Time: Starts at noon

Location: 7th Street between Jackson St. & Main St.

Cost: Varies by Vendor

Panel Jam Auto Art Show

Presented by the Hoosier Slingers and the ACD Festival

Watch the local pinstriping group, Hoosier Slingers, as they use decorative line art techniques while live pinstriping vehicle panels, parts and pieces under the event tent. You won't want to miss these artists at work! Select live-painted items will be auctioned at 2 PM and 5 PM on the MetalX Entertainment Stage with proceeds benefitting Inspiration Ministries. Interested in having your own items painted? Bring them downtown during event hours.

Time: Noon to ?

Location: Courthouse Square event tent

Cost: Free for spectators; prices vary for pinstriping of items

Speakeasy 2023

Presented by the Auburn Moose Family Center

Food, spirits and a place to relax. Guests are welcome and encouraged.

Time: Noon

Location: Auburn Moose Family Center, located at 10th and Main St.

Cost: FREE

Sundaes on Friday Ice Cream Social

Sponsored by 1st Source Bank, the Official Bank of the ACD Festival!

Enjoy a delicious sundae while taking in the sights and sounds of one of Friday’s most popular events—the Downtown Cruise-In. Big thanks to 1st Source Bank for sponsoring this event, and to their employees for doing the scooping!

Time: 5:30PM - 7:30PM

Location: Near the corner of 7th Street and Main St.

Cost: $2 Per Scoop

Cruise-In Concert

Presented by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival

Enjoy live music around the courthouse square while you check out the cars and connect with friends. With performances by crowd favorites. This family-friendly lineup is sure to have you dancing in the streets!

Friday: With performances by crowd favorites, Sunglasses at Night and the Hubie Ashcraft Band.

Time: Live Music from 6PM - 11PM

Location: Courthouse Square

Cost: FREE

Saturday, September 2 2023

Annual Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club Car Show

By the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Car Club

Come see 300 classic cars in beautiful Eckhart Park. Food is available in the park with activities for kids from 9:30 to 11:30 AM

Time: 7AM - 1PM

Location: Eckhart Park

Cost: $5 for adults; $3 for children; 3 and under free.

Connecting Rods Lunch

Presented by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum

Did your parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or acquaintance work for the Auburn Automobile Company, Duesenberg, Inc., Cord Corporation, or Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Company? If so, this is a special luncheon for you to join with other people from around the globe with similar connections to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum! Reservations are required and can be made by contacting the museum at (260) 925-1444 or by visiting www.automobilemuseum.org/events/museum-programs.

Time: 11AM

Location: Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum

Cost: $15 per person and reservations are required

Pre-Parade Entertainment

Presented by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival

Come and enjoy performances by the Auburn Community Band as you get ready to enjoy the Parade of Classics in the heart of the city. There is no better viewing spot than downtown Auburn!

Time: 11AM

Location: Courthouse Square

Cost: FREE

Parade of Classics

Presented by the ACD Club and the ACD Festival; sponsored by Ben Davis Automotive Group

A fan-favorite ACD Festival event! ACD Club members from around the world drive their magnificent classic cars through Auburn Streets--with review at the courthouse square. After the parade, these classics are parked around the courthouse square for your viewing, and on 9th Street, near the Auburn Hotel. This year’s Parade of Classics will feature the “Year of the Supercharged Car”. See the parade VIPs, including our Grand Marshal, Corky Coker, as well as the Baron Brigade Marching Band from DeKalb High School. Keep your eyes peeled for NATM’s big red Futurliner #10, as it makes its way down the parade route, too!  

Time: Starts at 1PM

Location: See Parade Route here

Cost: FREE

Fast and Fabulous

Powered by SweetCars

The ACD Festival proudly welcomes SweetCars and the Fort Wayne Driving Club (FWDC) back to downtown Auburn for the 2023 edition of Fast and Fabulous powered by SweetCars! The fun begins at 4:30PM when well over 100+ modern exotic and sports cars (Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLarens, Porsches, Corvettes, Camaros, Mustangs, and more!) provided by SweetCars and FWDC begin to fill our ‘SweetStreets’ around the courthouse square. Watch them arrive in style between 4:30PM & 5:00PM! Cars will be on display from 5:00PM - 7:00PM!

Bring the family and enjoy a treat from our food truck area while checking out the cars. Still not ready to go home? Stick around and listen to Reload beginning at 6:00 PM followed by REkT to rock us well into the night!

Fast and Fabulous has quickly become a can’t-miss event on Labor Day weekend at the ACD Festival. Don’t miss out!

(Show car parking for this event is limited to SweetCars and the FWDC only. No exceptions! Spectator parking is available throughout downtown Auburn.)

Time: 5PM - 7PM

Location: Courthouse Square

Cost: Free for spectators

BBQ at Rieke

Presented by the ACD Club

Have dinner with the ACD Club! (Menu to be determined.) Open to the public. Contact www.acdclub.org for more information. In the case of inclement weather, dinner will be held in the Rieke Park Lodge. 

Time: 6PM – 8PM

Location: Rieke Park Pavilions, 1800 N. Indiana Ave., Auburn

Cost: $40 per adult; $20 per child

Fast and Fabulous Concert

Presented by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival

Enjoy live music around the courthouse square while you check out fabulous cars and connect with friends! Be ready to hear the region’s best bands!

Saturday: Be ready to hear the region’s best bands, Reload and REkT!

Date: Saturday, September 2nd

Time: Live music from 6PM - 11PM

Location: Courthouse Square

Cost: FREE

The Gatsby Gala Ball

Presented by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum

Grab your dancing shoes and your flapper dress to dance the night away! Live big band music, cash bar, and heavy hors d’oeuvres are all part of the fun of the Gatsby Gala Ball! Travel back in time to the Roaring 20’s with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar featuring signature cocktails.

Master the dance floor with the live jazz band and celebrate with friends and family! The rhythm will be swingin’, your feet will be tappin’, and everyone will be dancin’. Make a statement and take part in a dazzling experience!

Time: 7PM - 11PM

Location: Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum

Cost: $35 for Museum Members, $50 for non-members, $300 for Table of 8

Ticket to Ride

Sponsored by Fort Financial Credit Union; Presented by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival

Experience a free ride in some of the coolest cars around! (Car selection based on availability) Multiple cars will be available for rides. All will travel the same predetermined course in the downtown area.

Time: 4PM - 5:30PM

Location: 7th Street around the James Cultural Plaza

Cost: FREE

Official Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival Downtown Bar

Presented by TKDS, Inc. with a portion of proceeds to benefit the ACD Festival

Take in the sights, relax with friends and grab a cold one that comes with an FAK Logistics collector koozie! Mad Anthony’s Award Winning ‘Auburn Brew’ will be available, in addition to the 2023 ACD Festival wine bottled by Country Heritage Winery and Vineyard, the bar’s famous Freaky Tiki, and more. Enjoy the live music and beautiful cars as you wet your whistle while you walk.

Date: Friday, September 1st and Saturday, September 2nd

Time: Starts at 5PM on Sept. 1 & 9AM Sept. 2

Location: On Main Street in between 7th and 8th

Cost: No admission charge (Ages 21 and over permitted).

Sunday, September 3 2023

Aero & Wing Car Invitational

Presented by NATMUS, Visit DeKalb, and the ACD Festival

A NATMUS Legends of NASCAR event, this invitational will include Aero and Wing cars from regional enthusiasts. Included cars will follow a similar route as the Parade of Classics (See map on p. 40) After the parade, view cars parked around Courthouse Square. Be sure to visit the NATMUS Legends of NASCAR exhibit that includes the Richard Petty #43 car.

Date: Sunday, September 3rd

Time: 12PM - 3PM

Location: Cars will stage at the ACDA Museum Plaza prior to the event; event will end at the DeKalb County Courthouse

Cost: Free for spectators

Click here to view Map

Date: August 31 - September 3, 2023

Location: Various locations in Auburn, IN

Click here for more information