On Saturday and Sunday mornings, drivers on local roadways often catch sight of a parade-esque procession of vintage cars and other unusual vehicles. Maybe it’s a tiny sportscar, maybe it’s a car straight out of a period piece, but where are they all going? 

About the Concept

It’s a simple idea that has gained popularity over time: pick a location for car enthusiasts to meet up and share their gear. Make it a regular thing, and see what happens. These laid-back gatherings are fixtures in the calendar of any car enthusiast, and make for a fun weekend outing for anyone else.

The first car show took place in New York City in 1900. This event was the ancestor of the modern car show that is still held today: the Washington Auto Show is a wintertime staple. These industry-run events were, and still are, a chance for manufacturers to show off their latest creations and attract buyers. 

Once car ownership became more widespread, fans of specific vehicles formed their own car clubs. For example, the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America was founded in 1961. The National Corvette Owners Association was founded in 1975.

These casual get-togethers are for car enthusiasts of all stripes, from historical vehicles to customized exotics or things fresh off the assembly line. The term ‘cars and coffee’ is largely credited to Barry Megiar, the former host of the show Car Crazy, who would invite hobbyists to relaxed weekend meetups.

Now, over 200 locations throughout the US host cars and coffee events. Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of these events, besides the casual vibe, is the fact that special cars of all types are all in one place. Visitors don’t have to be gearheads to appreciate the variety of vehicles on display. Onlookers are welcome to chat with car owners, take photos, and be curious about the vehicles. Some owners will even let guests sit in the vehicles for a few minutes. Sometimes, vehicle-specific groups will be on-site as part of an organized outing, and members can answer questions and share information. 

Local Events

There are a handful of Cars and Coffee events every weekend in Fairfax County.

Alexandria
Hollin Hall Shopping Center | 7918 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria,

1st and 3rd Sundays of the month 

8AM to 10AM

This event was started in 2012 and attracts old and new cars in addition to motorcycles and other vehicles. This event is held weekly and is canceled in the event of rain. 

The Haven (Belle Haven Pizzeria) | 1401 Belle Haven Road 

2nd and 4th Sundays of the month
10AM to 12PM

This event is held in a parking lot to the left of the restaurant. It is held weekly year-round, and is canceled in the event of rain.

Great Falls

Katie’s Cars and Coffee | 760 Walker Road

Saturdays, 6AM to 9AM

This event was founded in April 2010 and quickly became a staple of local car enthusiasts’ weekends. Katie’s Coffee House is tucked inside iconic Great Falls bar The Old Brogue, and is a great choice for coffee (aka human fuel) and a pastry to fuel your vehicular viewing. For drivers, this is a fun spot because of the route to get there: hilly and windy roads throughout Great Falls are a treat for skilled drivers. This event is held rain or shine. Many enthusiasts consider this to be the premier meetup in the area for car lovers, and photos taken at these events have been featured in many international publications. TLG Pro tip: the cars usually wind down by 9AM, just in time for the weekly Great Falls Farmers Market to get set up in a neighboring parking lot.

Vienna

Vienna Cars and Coffee | Cedar Park Shopping Center, 260 Cedar Lane SE 

First and Third Sundays of the Month 7:30AM to 9:30AM