License to Cruise
Fox Cities Exhibition Center
Classic Car Show
Friday, Sept. 26th
Octoberfest weekend kicks off with License to Cruise, a classic car show on Friday night at 3 p.m. Complete with about 400 classic cars, live music and great food, you won’t want to miss one of Appleton’s largest car shows.
Interested in displaying your vehicle that’s 2005 or older? Come on down to the avenue on Friday, September 26 at 3 p.m.! Registration is only $10.00 to park your car on the avenue. Special interest vehicles will be showcased in the Expo Center. Contact Gary Rohde to be in the Expo Center.
2025 specialty vehicles: Hot Rods, Muscle, and more!
2025 Music Schedule | Houdini Plaza Stage
Coming Soon!
3 - 5 PM | A-Town Unplugged
6 - 9 PM | FBI & The Untouchable Horns
License to Cruise Schedule
License to Cruise Event Map
Car Smash Fundraiser
License to Cruise 2024 will feature a new and exciting fundraising opportunity to support area nonprofits!
A “car smash,” sponsored by The Breaking Point, LLC and Gibson Iron & Metal, will be held from 5 – 8 p.m. The car smash will be located at the corner of College Avenue and Appleton Street, near Houdini Plaza. Cost is $10 for 3 “smashes;” proceeds will be returned to the community, via grants given to nonprofits through the Octoberfest grant program.
Similar in concept to the “rage rooms” that are popping up in area communities, participants of the car smash will have the opportunity to take a few whacks at a car, donated by Gibson Iron & Metal. To ensure participant safety, the car has been stripped of all glass and fluids. Participants must be 18 or older, will need to sign a waiver prior to their turn, and must wear safety equipment provided by The Breaking Point, and closed toe shoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
License to Cruise is from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26, 2025.
Wristbands are available 3 – 8 p.m.
The bar is open 3 – 8:30 p.m.
Show vehicles will be allowed on College Avenue at 1:30 and will be positioned by LTC staff. Cars will fill-up one block at a time.
NO! Any vehicles on the avenue between 12:00 p.m and 1:00 p.m. will be towed at owners expense.`
All vehicles must have been manufactured in 2003 or before and can not have any visible primer or rust. You must bring your vehicle registration with you in case there is a question on the year of your vehicle.
The vehicles DO NOT cruise. Vehicles enter College Avenue and stay parked from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m.
No “carry ins” are allowed.
No! The Appleton Common Council passed ordinance #10-47: “Animals are prohibited on public property located within the Downtown District (Richmond St. to Drew St./south side of Lawrence St. to north side of Washington St.) for special events.”
Violators will be fined. $186.00.
Once your vehicle is parked on the avenue your vehicle “MUST” remain parked until 9:00 p.m. It is not necessary for you to remain with your vehicle, however, Octoberfest / License to Cruise is not responsible for any damage to vehicles during the event.
License to Cruise Sponsors
PRESENTING SPONSORS
SPECIALTY CAR SPONSOR
STAGE SPONSOR
DASH SPONSOR
IN KIND
MEDIA SPONSORS
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
