Maryville Auto Fest Cruise-In 2026: Classic Cars, Free Live Music, and an Easy Family Night Out
This Friday and Saturday, Foothills Mall's parking lot turns into a rolling museum of classic cars, muscle cars, trucks, and modern rides for the 13th Annual Maryville Auto Fest Cruise-In. It's put on with Blount Habitat for Humanity, so every bit of the weekend supports affordable housing in our county — and for parents it's one of those rare events where the kids can actually get close to the cars without anyone shooing them away.
Here's what to know before you go.
When and where The festivities run September 4 and 5, 2026 at Foothills Mall (197 Foothills Mall Drive, Maryville). Friday is the cruise-in, starting in the late afternoon along the main entrance side of the mall near BJ's Wholesale — the vibe is very 'roll in, park, wander' with free live music, food, and plenty of time to walk the rows of cars. Saturday is the big show day, typically wrapping up mid-afternoon.
Is it free? Yes for families coming to look. Friday's cruise-in night is free for spectators, with live music and food trucks. Saturday's show is the bigger lineup, and the per-vehicle entry fee applies to the car owners entering their rides, not to families walking the rows. If you're just there to look and let the kids point at their favorites, it's a budget-friendly outing.
Why it works with kids Walking a car show is basically a giant game of 'what's your favorite.' Toddlers love the shiny chrome and the muscle cars that roar when they leave; school-age kids will ask a million questions about which one is fastest. The owners are usually friendly and happy to talk to a curious kid, especially the ones who brought the family's 'Sunday car.' Bring snacks and a stroller-friendly attitude — the lot is flat and easy to push a stroller around. Go earlier in the day on Saturday before it gets hot, or lean into Friday night when the cool cars glow under the parking lot lights.
The feel-good part Auto Fest is a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity of Blount County, which builds affordable homes for local families. So when you buy a taco from a vendor or a fellow parent buys a ticket to show off their pride and joy, that money helps put a family into a home right here in our county. That's a pretty easy thing to get behind with the kids in tow.
If the whole family is into anything with wheels, this weekend at Foothills Mall is worth carving out an hour or two. Friday night's the relaxed one; Saturday delivers the full show. Either way, pack the kids, grab a drink, and go look at some beautiful old cars.