License to Cruise

Indoor car show will be at the
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!

2024 Music Schedule | Houdini Plaza Stage

3 - 5 PM | A-Town Unplugged

6 - 9 PM | FBI & The Untouchable Horns

License to Cruise Schedule

11:45 AM

Vendors meet at the north lot of the PAC off of Division St.

12:00 PM

No public traffic will be allowed to enter onto College Ave. Volunteer vehicles and food vendors enter and disperse to their locations.

12:00 PM

ALL vehicles parked on College Avenue (including show cars) will begin to be towed at owner’s expense.

1:20 PM

Vendors must have vehicles off the avenue.

1:30 PM

Show vehicles are allowed on College Avenue and will be positioned by LTC staff. Cars will fill-up one block at a time, going from the theme cars out.

9:00 PM

License to Cruise officially ends. After the crowd disperses, ALL vehicles must be removed from those portions of College Avenue that are remaining closed for the evening. Any vehicles remaining in those areas will be towed at owners’ expense. Vehicles in other areas of downtown must be legally parked.

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

What are the times for License to Cruise?

License to Cruise is from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26, 2025.

What time do the cars come onto the Avenue?

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.

Can I park my car on the avenue early in the afternoon?

NO! Any vehicles on the avenue between 12:00 p.m and 1:00 p.m. will be towed at owners expense.`

Can I save a spot for my buddy that can't come until later?

License to Cruise is on a “First come, First served” basis. If you wish to park together, please arrive together.

I am part of a car club and we would like to all park together. How can we do that?

If you want to park with your club, please plan to meet somewhere off the Avenue and line up together so that you may enter the Avenue as a group. Be sure to let the people directing traffic know you are with a club and how many cars there will be.

What year and what condition does my car have to be?

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.

What are the entrance streets to College Avenue?

Enter from North State Street or South Drew Street. Please refer to our map.

What is the cost to participate in License to Cruise?

The cost to participate is $10.00 per vehicle payable as you enter the Avenue (correct change is appreciated).

What time does the "Cruising" start?

The vehicles DO NOT cruise. Vehicles enter College Avenue and stay parked from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Are carry-in's allowed?

No “carry ins” are allowed.

Can I bring my pet downtown to enjoy the festivities?

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 all the cars are parked and everything is set up can I then leave?

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.