This MS Coast tradition is ‘best car show’ for 7th straight year, USA Today says
Known as “America’s largest block party,” Cruisin’ The Coast has been named the best car show in the country for the seventh consecutive year by USA Today readers and editors.
“We have won this award seven years in a row, but it is great to know that so many of the people who know about Cruisin’ The Coast still think this highly of us,” Woody Bailey, Cruisin’ The Coast executive director said in a May 6 post on Facebook.
The event, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, originally began as a way to boost tourism during slower visitor times, according to the Cruisin’ The Coast website.
It stretches across 12 Mississippi Coast cities and designated stops, including Bay. St. Louis, Biloxi, D’Iberville, Gulfport, Pass Christian, Ocean Springs and Pascagoula, organizers said.
Here’s why the car show continues to be a fan favorite.
Why is Cruisin’ the best?
Cruisin’ The Coast is an extravagant car show featuring more than 9,000 vehicles of all kinds along the beachside highway on the Mississippi Coast.
Car lovers look forward to this event each year for the diverse venues, live music, food, merchandise, auction, parade and more, according to USA Today.
What to expect at this year’s event
This year, Cruisin’ the Coast will take place October 4-11, according to the event’s website.
As of May 4, more than 4,500 participants are registered, coming in from 39 states, Australia, Canada, England and New Zealand, organizers said in a Facebook post.
What are the top 10 car shows in the US?
These are the car shows that made the USA Today 10Best list for 2026:
1. Cruisin’ The Coast, on the Mississippi Coast
2. MSRA Back for the 50’s Weekend in St. Paul, Minnesota
3. Triple Crown of Rodding in Lebanon, Tennessee
4. Renaissance Euro Fest in Ridgeland, Mississippi
5. Hot August Nights in Reno, Nevada
6. Eastern Division AACA National Fall Meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania
7. NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky
8. The Gathering at Roc in Bartlesville, Oklahoma
9. Celebration of Cars in Melbourne, Florida
10. Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit, Michigan
