Cruisin' Ocean City

Get ready for one of the largest automotive events on the East Coast, the 37^th Annual Cruisin Ocean City, April 29-May 2, 2027.  This nationally recognized event attracts more than 3,000 customs, hot rods, street machines, classics and more from all over the country!  The epicenter of the event is the beachside Inlet Parking Lot with activities and car shows at businesses all around town. More information will be added as the event gets closer!

Cruisin 2026

With 4 days of favorable weather, the 36^th Annual Cruisin Ocean City, presented by Chesapeake Classic Restorations, was a tremendous success.  This nationally recognized event attracted more than 3,000 customs, hot rods, street machines, classics and more from over 25 states plus Canada, as far west as California and as far south as Florida.  The main events took place at the beachside Inlet Parking Lot and the OC Convention Center.

Special guests at Cruisin 2026 were Emily & Aaron Reeves, from the hit series “Flying Sparks Garage” who brought their Peterbilt, Optimus Grime. Joining the fun was also Alison Arngrim and Dean Butler, from the classic show Little House on the Prairie.  Spectators enjoyed getting the chance to meet and greet them all!

Taking the stage during Cruisin was The Fab Four!  Attendees enjoyed a spectacular night of music as The Fab Four performed their acclaimed Help! Tribute show to a sold out crowd inside the Ocean City Performing Arts Center. Additional live music included Cruisin Gold and Mook Jones who performed daily at the Inlet and OC Convention Center.

Friday morning cars cruised over to Jay’s Café for the Coffee with Cops event. This was an amazing turn out and a great chance for participants to get to meet some of Ocean City’s finest along with  Mayor Rick Meehan who was in attendance.

Friday night the 11^th Annual Pin Up Contest took place at the Purple Moose Saloon.  Taking home the title of Miss Cruisin Pin Up was Twisted Mama, better known as Keri Morton, from Middletown MD!

On Saturday afternoon the Pedal Car Show took place in the Inlet Parking lot with lots of little cruisers showing off their pedal cars.  Winning the top award was Mia, age 2 in her green Beach Bug, painted by her Pop Pop, from Fleetwood PA.

Saturday night at Trimper’s the Neon Light Car Show took place.  Those walking along the boardwalk could enjoy the event.  Boy Scout Troup 261 was on site for the “Dollar Makes a Difference Car Show” where spectators could vote for their favorite vehicle with monetary donations.  Over $1,000 was raised for the Boy Scouts!

The country’s top national names were showcasing their products in manufacturers midway at the Inlet Parking Lot including Advance Auto Parts, AMSOIL, B&E Fabrications, Bruno’s Classic Muscle, Cabela’s, Chesapeake Classic Restorations, Chevy Performance, Classic Auto Mall, Coker Tire, Commercial Insurance Associates, Edelbrock, Erin’s Way, Euroshine USA, Golden Star Auto Parts, Morton’s Towing, National Parts Depot, OPTIMA, Southern Rods & Parts, Vibrant Health, Wildfire Lifts and more. Inside the OC Convention Center there was also Gateway Classic Cars as well as venders selling automotive equipment plus Arts & Crafts and a Swap Meet. 

Additional Cruisin Ocean City highlights were the special Boardwalk Cruises that took place Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings. This was the chance for cars to get to cruise down the iconic OC Boardwalk and for spectators to sit back and relax and watch them cruise by. Each morning there was a special Grand Marshal, including the team from Chesapeake Classic Restorations on Thursday, George Fanning a longtime Cruisin supporter celebrating 25 years with the Harrison Group on Friday and our special guests Alison Arngrim and Dean Butler from Little House on the Prairie on Saturday morning.

On Sunday the Grand Finale Awards took place at the Beachside Inlet. Prior to the awards the charity banner auction took place, and with donations from the event along with the Twisted Rodz Car Club over $5,000 was raised for a local family with medical bills and the American Cancer Society. Additionally the Cruisin scholarships were awarded to Kelsey Gathercole from Coatesville PA,  Jayden Johnson from Snow Hill MD, Kye Nelson from Aspers PA, Nathan Rhodes from Mardela MD, Adam Thomas from Wilmington DE and Morgan Tull from Willards MD. Each will receive $500 to be applied to their first year of College or Vocational expenses.

Taking home top awards this year included the Mayor’s Prestigious Award presented to John Shannon with his 1968 Dodge from Mount Wolf PA, the Honorable Jim Mathias Thunderroad Award presented to Sofia Muzzatti with her 1967 Ford, from Rockville MD, the City Council Outstanding Award presented to George Manback with his 1970 Ford from Womelsdorf PA, and the Police Chief’s Award presented to Russ Appleyard and his 1937 Ford, from La Plata MD. Winning the Cruiser of the Year for 2026 was the Terry family in memory of Tom Terry, a long time support of the event and host of a local car show in Mayo Maryland.  Taking home the Tom Terry Remembrance Award was Kevin Hayes, with his 1969 Pontiac from Staten Island NY.  Before Cruisin came to an end there were more than 500 trophies, plaques and awards presented.

We hope everyone had a great time at Cruisin and a safe trip home.  We look forward to seeing you back in the fall, October 8-9-10-11, 2026 or next spring April 29- 30-May 1-2, 2027 or both!

Cruisin OC has always held safety as our number one priority. The event does not tolerate unlawful activities or the disrespect of Ocean City.  Once again we appreciate the support from Participants, Spectators and everyone in town for this event.

It takes a tremendous amount of planning and coordination to stage an event of this size.  A special thanks goes out to many outstanding people and organizations including Mayor Rick Meehan and the OC City Council, the Honorable Jim Mathias, Department of Public Works, OC Police Department and Allied Agencies, Hotel Motel Restaurant Association, Chamber of Commerce, Visitor’s Center, National Street Rod Association, Car Clubs along with the Ocean City Business Community, especially 28^th Street Pit & Pub, 45^th Street Taphouse, Atlantic Hotel, Baja Amusements, Beach Bum OC, Berlin Chamber, Blu Crabhouse, Bourbon Street on the Beach, Bruce Shaw Law, Bull on the Beach, Cabanas, Candy Kitchen, Commander Hotel, Coins, Decatur Diner, District 24, The Dough Roller, Dry 85, East Coast Auto Repair, Forgotten 50 Distilling, Francis Scott Key Resort, The Greene Turtle, Gold Coast Mall, Harpoon Hanna’s, Harrison’s Harbor Watch, Jay’s Cafe, Nick’s Mini Golf, Northside Pit & Pub, OC Life-Saving Station, Ocean 13, Outlets Ocean City, Papi’s Tacos, Purple Moose Saloon,  R&M Performance, Route 66 Diner, Seacrets, Selbyville Pit & Pub, Shenanigan’s, Soriano’s, Sun Outdoors Frontier Town, Sun Outdoors Ocean City Gateway, Taphouse West and Trimper Rides for making Cruisin Ocean City one of the largest and most unique automotive events in the country.  And a very special thank you to all the awesome PARTICIPANTS and CAR CLUBS!

Schedule subject to change. Follow @CruisinOceanCity on Facebook for up to date announcements!

For additional information contact us at infoevent@specialeventpro.com or 410-798-6304.

For vendor information contact us at jacklyn@specialeventpro.com.

For sponsor information contact us at sponsors@specialeventpro.com. 

IMPORTANT OC ORDINANCES

During Cruisin Ocean City the town will be designated as a Special Event Zone.  There will be reduced speed limits and increased fines.  Everyone in town is encouraged to drive safely and obey all laws.  For additional information on the Special Event Zone please visit the Town of Ocean City FAQ page.

Maryland Motor Vehicle Law and the Town of Ocean City Ordinance state that no loud noise from a vehicle may be heard at a distance of 50 feet from the vehicle at any time.

The town of Ocean City has a trailer parking ordinance which prohibits trailer parking on city streets from May 1st – October 31st. Any Cruisin participants that will be parking a trailer on city streets will need a trailer parking permit. For more information on trailer parking please click here. When making your reservations please check with your hotel or condo to see if they provide trailer parking. Trailer parking permit applications will be avaiable in March, permits will be distributed at the Convention Center during Cruisin Ocean City. 

For additional OC ordinances please click here.

Trailer Parking Information

Additional OC Ordinances