Motorcar Cavalcade

Greater Miami & Miami Beach has always had a reputation as a place for beautiful cars. From high-speed imports to classic American muscle cars, the destination has been synonymous with cars that turn heads. So it’s only fitting it would be home to one of the grandest car shows and garden parties in the world: the Motorcar Cavalcade.

The three-day event will take place at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa in Aventura, January 31- February 2, 2025. Hundreds of rare and classic automobiles will fill the golf course fairways, competing in 16 different classes and for Best in Show. With the collectible cars come fashion, parties and stately elegance befitting such an event, and everyone is invited to be a part of the celebration. Here’s all you need to know about the Motorcar Cavalcade, including how to enter your car.

Ticket Information

The weekend’s main event is Sunday’s Concours d’Elegance, where competing cars will line up on the golf course for guests and judges to observe. Of course, no big Miami event would be complete without a couple of VIP areas with plenty of food, drinks and music.

Concours Access tickets are $95 and provide access to the Concours grounds. Concours All-Inclusive tickets start at $395 and grant entrance to the garden party with desserts, wine, cocktails and shade. The weekend’s most-exclusive ticket is the Concours VIP, priced at $795. VIP tickets get you into an elevated viewing area over the staging area, with chef stations, an open bar and lounge seating. Prices will go up as the event draws closer.

Schedule of Events

The Motorcar Cavalcade will kick off Friday, January 31, at 5 p.m. at the VIP hospitality tent in the hotel’s Orchid Ballroom. The action begins on Saturday, February 1, with the Miami Speed & Style Rally. Some of the top cars participating in the Motorcar Cavalcade will converge early in the morning at the JW Marriott Turnberry. From there, they’ll take to the streets in a slow-speed parade of classic cars, with a police escort making sure the rally proceeds unimpeded. Spectators will line the streets to watch these automotive masterpieces roll by until the cars ultimately end at a finishing point (the location will be revealed closer to the event; last year, the rally ended at Hard Rock Stadium, right on the start/finish line for the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix).

Finally, on Sunday, February 2, the main event: the Motorcar Cavalcade Concours d’Elegance. At 10 a.m., general admission will open, and guests can view the automobiles. Opening ceremonies will start at 11 a.m., then at 2 p.m., the award ceremony will begin. The show will conclude at 4 p.m. with the awarding of Best In Show.

Show Your Vehicle At Motorcar Cavalcade

Do you  have a classic or collectible car you’d like to showcase at the Motorcar Cavalcade? Entrants don’t need to have any membership or affiliation; they just need to apply in advance. Not every car will be accepted; the Cavalcade’s selection committee weighs each applicant on its significance, newsworthiness, uniqueness or other distinguishing attributes. Once your car is accepted, the committee will assign it to a specific class in which it will be judged.

The application process is fairly simple, requiring basic car information like year, make and model and some photographs. You’ll also tell the selection committee a little about the car, explaining why it stands out. Earlier applications will get preference, so if you want to apply, do so now. Those selected will be notified by mid-December via text message or email.

Judging and Awards

The Concours d’Elegance is a showcase of all kinds of beautiful automobiles in 16 classes: Doors; Grilles; Tails; Aero; Glass; Engine; Sound; Utility; Lights; Paint; Finish; Mirrors; Dashboard; Cockpits; Trim; and Wheels. This year, there will also be a special Colors of the Muscle Car Era class.

Additionally, awards will be presented for People’s Choice and VIP Judges’ Recognition. Finally, the Best in Show award will have two winners – Modern and Classic. Check out  the past winners to get an idea of what a winning car looks like.

Getting There and Parking

JW Marriott Turnberry Resort & Spa is located about 18 miles north of Downtown Miami. Limited valet parking is available at the hotel. The most direct way to reach the hotel is via I-95, exiting at Ives Dairy Road and heading east. If you’re staying in Miami Beach, taking A1A all the way north may be a little bit faster and is definitely more scenic. Because parking is limited, organizers highly recommending taking rideshares to the event.

You can also reach the resort fairly easily on the high-speed Brightline train. The ride from Miami Central Station in Downtown Miami takes only 17 minutes, then take a rideshare or taxi from there. Brightline’s Aventura station is also reachable from all points north, including Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Orlando.

By: Matthew Meltzer | October 29, 2024