Kars on King Oshawa is returning to downtown Oshawa on Friday, Aug. 21, bringing hundreds of classic vehicles, live entertainment, family activities and automotive history to the city centre.
The City of Oshawa says the outdoor festival will run from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., with activities stretching through downtown from King and Simcoe streets toward Memorial Park.
The annual event attracts vintage-car enthusiasts, local clubs, families and visitors interested in seeing vehicles representing generations of automotive design.
Hundreds of classic cars coming downtown
Downtown streets will become an open-air automotive showcase featuring hundreds of classic vehicles.
Visitors can expect everything from early Canadian automobiles and vintage coupes to muscle cars and other enthusiast vehicles.
For the official 2026 event, participating vehicles must be 1991 models or older, according to the City of Oshawa.
The event has particular significance in Oshawa, a city with deep ties to Canada’s automotive industry and generations of vehicle manufacturing.
Live entertainment and family activities
Cars are only part of the attraction at Kars on King Oshawa.
Live musical performances are planned at the main stage in the downtown core, while roaming entertainers and buskers will add activity throughout the event area.
Families will also find interactive programming, including children’s activities, inflatables, games, face painting and balloon twisting.
A zip line along Simcoe Street is also expected to return as one of the festival’s more adventurous attractions.
Visitors can explore local vendors and makers while stopping at downtown shops and restaurants throughout the evening.
Food trucks will also offer additional dining choices during the festival.
Touch a Truck returns
Touch a Truck will be part of the event again this year at the Tribute Communities Centre.
The family-friendly attraction gives children and other visitors an opportunity to see large vehicles and specialized equipment up close.
According to the supplied event information, Touch a Truck is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The City also lists the Tribute Communities Centre as one of its official Kars on King partners.
Canadian Automotive Museum joins celebration
Visitors can also explore Oshawa’s automotive heritage at the Canadian Automotive Museum.
Located at 99 Simcoe Street South, the museum preserves and shares the history of Canada’s automotive industry and has more than 75 vehicles in its year-round collection.
Its collection provides additional context for a festival taking place in a city historically associated with Canadian vehicle manufacturing.
The museum is also an official Kars on King partner.
Event continues Oshawa automotive tradition
Kars on King traditionally arrives just before Autofest, another major classic-car event with longstanding Oshawa roots.
Autofest has since moved to Elgin Park in Uxbridge, but Kars on King continues to occupy downtown Oshawa streets and celebrate the city’s automotive identity.
The City lists the festival among its major annual community events.
Road closures expected
Road closures will be required to accommodate the festival and vehicle displays.
Drivers heading downtown on Aug. 21 should watch for temporary traffic restrictions, signage and altered access around the event footprint.
Visitors may want to plan additional travel time, particularly during the afternoon setup period and evening festival hours.
With classic vehicles, entertainment, activities and local businesses all participating, Kars on King Oshawa will once again turn the downtown core into a large celebration of automotive history and community life on Aug. 21.
