The Hurricane Easter Car Show 2026 returns Saturday, April 4, 2026 for one of Southern Utah's most anticipated annual auto gatherings. The Easter weekend tradition transforms historic downtown Hurricane, Utah into a rolling showcase of classic cars, hot rods, muscle cars, customs, trucks, and specialty vehicles. Free for spectators and welcoming to entrants at every level — from trailer queens to daily driver survivors — the show has become a signature community event drawing thousands of attendees from across Washington County and beyond.
What Makes the Hurricane Easter Car Show Special
The Hurricane Easter Car Show is distinct from many larger regional shows in three important ways: it's held on Easter Saturday (turning the event into a community holiday tradition rather than a standalone show), it keeps a small-town feel that encourages conversation between car owners and spectators, and the historic downtown Hurricane venue provides character that parking-lot shows simply can't match. Main Street closes to through traffic, the cars fill the streets, food and refreshment vendors line the curbs, and the whole town turns into a walking car show.
Vehicle Categories and Eligibility
The show welcomes a broad variety of vehicles across typical categories:
- Pre-1950 classic cars — Model Ts, Deuces, prewar classics
- 1950s classics — Tri-five Chevys, finned Cadillacs, early Corvettes
- Muscle cars (1960s–1970s) — Mustangs, Camaros, Chargers, Chevelles, GTOs
- Hot rods and street rods — traditional builds, resto-mods, rat rods
- Customs — sled customs, leadsleds, one-off specialty builds
- Modern performance — modern muscle, supercars, tuners
- Trucks and 4x4s — vintage pickups, lifted 4x4s, overland builds
- Motorcycles and specialty — occasional inclusion depending on year
Vehicle Registration
Pre-registration typically opens 6 to 8 weeks before the show via Hurricane City's official channels. Entry fees run $20–$40 and include dash plaque, show shirt, category placement, and eligibility for judged awards. Day-of registration is sometimes available at a higher fee if spots remain, but pre-registering guarantees your spot and saves money. Show participants should bring proof of insurance and ID.
Awards and Recognition
The Hurricane Easter Car Show recognizes exceptional vehicles across several award categories:
- Best in Show — the top overall vehicle selected by head judges
- Category winners — Best of Classic, Best of Muscle, Best of Hot Rod, Best of Custom, Best of Truck, Best of Modern
- People's Choice — voted by event attendees
- Longest Distance Traveled — recognition for out-of-town participants
- Mayor's Choice — selected by the Hurricane City Mayor
Awards ceremonies typically happen mid-afternoon before the show closes. Winners receive trophies, plaques, and sometimes sponsor-provided prizes.
Easter Weekend in Hurricane
The car show is part of a larger Easter weekend experience in Hurricane. Many families combine the Saturday car show with outdoor activities at Sand Hollow State Park (15 minutes south), Quail Creek State Park, Zion National Park (20 minutes east via SR-9), and Sand Mountain off-road area. Local restaurants along State Street and at Sand Hollow Resort offer Easter Sunday brunch options, and Hurricane Valley churches host Easter Sunday services for visiting families.
Parking and Logistics
Street closures during the show require attendees to park in municipal lots, nearby residential streets, or secondary lots around Hurricane City Hall. Plan to arrive early — peak attendance is typically 10 AM to 1 PM, and parking within a 2-block walk of the show fills quickly. The Hurricane Community Center parking area often serves as overflow. Handicap-accessible parking is available near main show blocks.
Food, Vendors, and Family Activities
Local food vendors, food trucks, and restaurants participate in the show with concessions along Main Street. Classic show fare includes burgers, BBQ, tacos, funnel cakes, and fresh lemonade. Community organizations host information booths, kids activity zones sometimes feature face painting and bounce houses, and local car clubs display club vehicles and recruit new members. The event reliably draws vendor participation from automotive parts suppliers, detailing services, and local businesses.
Other Southern Utah Car Events
If you love the Hurricane Easter Car Show, also consider these Southern Utah auto events throughout the year:
- Cruise the Blvd — classic car cruises on St. George Boulevard
- Sand Hollow Resort car events — specialty vehicle gatherings
- Dixie Transportation Expo — annual transportation showcase
- July 4th parade classic car participation — many shows feature classic cars in community parades
- Cars & Coffee meetups — informal monthly gatherings in the St. George area
Getting to Hurricane
Hurricane is located approximately 20 minutes east of downtown St. George via I-15 North to Exit 16, then SR-9 East toward Zion. For Easter weekend, plan extra time — traffic on SR-9 can increase as families combine the car show with Zion National Park visits. The Hurricane Valley area has ample lodging for visitors from out of town including hotels, vacation rentals, and Sand Hollow Resort.
