Cars and Coffee Memphis 2026: Tennessee Car Meets and Cruise-Ins

# Cars and Coffee Memphis 2026: Tennessee Car Meets and Cruise-Ins

Memphis runs on music, barbecue, and horsepower. The Bluff City has a car culture that mirrors its personality - laid-back, soulful, and a little loud when it wants to be. From Sunday morning meets to annual shows that draw crowds from across the Mid-South, Memphis has more going on than most people realize.

Memphis Cars and Coffee

Where: Various locations (check Facebook group for current venue)

When: Sunday mornings, year-round

Cost: Free

Memphis Cars and Coffee is the weekly gathering point for the city's enthusiast community. Held on Sunday mornings, it draws a diverse mix of vehicles - classic American muscle, Japanese imports, European exotics, and everything in between. The Facebook group (Cars and Coffee Memphis) is the hub for announcements, venue updates, and photos from recent meets.

The Sunday schedule is unusual for a Cars and Coffee - most cities do Saturdays - but it works for Memphis. It gives people Saturday for other car events and saves Sunday morning for the community meet.

Germantown Cars and Coffee

Where: GPAC Parking Lot, 1801 Exeter Road, Germantown, TN 38138

When: Monthly (check City of Germantown events calendar)

Cost: Free

Germantown, the affluent suburb east of Memphis, hosts its own Cars and Coffee at the Germantown Performing Arts Center parking lot. This is a city-organized event, which means it is well-run and family-friendly. The Germantown location tends to attract a slightly different crowd - more late-model luxury and performance cars alongside the classics.

Memphis International Auto Show

Where: Renasant Convention Center, Downtown Memphis

When: April 17-19, 2026

Cost: Ticketed event

While not a Cars and Coffee, the Memphis International Auto Show is the biggest automotive event in the city each year. New model debuts, manufacturer displays, and the chance to sit in cars you would never see at a local dealership. It is a good complement to the grassroots meet scene.

Local Cruise-Ins and Shows

The Memphis area has a strong cruise-in culture, particularly in the suburbs. Collierville, Bartlett, and Southaven (just across the Mississippi border) all host regular warm-weather cruise-ins at shopping centers and restaurants. These are casual, show-up-and-park affairs - no registration, no judging, just cars and conversation.

Why Memphis Works for Car Enthusiasts

Year-round weather. Memphis winters are mild enough that car meets can run twelve months a year. You might need a jacket in January, but you will not need to winterize your car.

Southern hospitality. Memphis car people are friendly. New faces get welcomed, not side-eyed. It is a community that wants to grow.

Barbecue fuel. No other car city can match the post-meet food scene. Central BBQ, The Bar-B-Q Shop, Cozy Corner - pick your spot and argue about dry rub versus wet with fellow enthusiasts.

Music City adjacent. Nashville is three hours east on I-40. Between Memphis and Nashville, you have access to two of the best car scenes in the South.

Affordable builds. Tennessee has no state income tax, and Memphis cost of living is well below the national average. More money for the garage.

Mississippi River roads. The Great River Road running along the Mississippi offers scenic driving with river views. Head south toward Tunica or north toward Dyersburg for a relaxing cruise.

After the Meet

Beale Street. The most famous street in Memphis. Live music, neon signs, and cold drinks - it is an experience even if you have done it before.

Sun Studio. Where rock and roll was born. Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins all recorded here. The tour is short and worth every minute.

Shelby Farms Park. One of the largest urban parks in the country. Good for a post-meet walk or bike ride. The greenline trail system connects to several Memphis neighborhoods.

Bass Pro at the Pyramid. The massive pyramid on the riverfront is now a Bass Pro Shops megastore with a bowling alley, hotel, and observation deck. It is as Memphis as it gets.

Tips for Attending

- **Join the Facebook group.** Cars and Coffee Memphis communicates primarily through their Facebook group. Join it for locations and schedule updates.

- **Sunday, not Saturday.** Memphis's main meet is Sunday morning - plan accordingly.

- **Bring cash.** Some of the best barbecue spots are cash-only or cash-preferred.

- **Spring and fall are peak.** While meets run year-round, the best turnout is March through May and September through November.

The Bottom Line

Memphis has a car scene that reflects the city itself - welcoming, eclectic, and fueled by good food. The Sunday morning Cars and Coffee provides a weekly anchor, Germantown adds a suburban option, and the mild climate means you are never far from the next meet. Add in world-class barbecue and the soundtrack of Beale Street, and Memphis is a genuinely fun city to be a car enthusiast.

Browse all [Cars and Coffee events in Tennessee](/states/TN) to find more meets across the Volunteer State.