30th Nostalgia Days Cruise + Car Show

Oct 9–10, 2026 · Downtown Novato

Nostalgia Days is the Downtown Novato Business Association's annual car show, and this is the 30th anniversary. Friday night is the cruise — a police-escorted parade of classic cars through downtown Novato — and Saturday is the main show, with hundreds of vehicles lining Grant Avenue between Redwood Boulevard and 7th Street. Admission is free.

This year's Friday evening cruise is named in honor of Marv Giambastiani, who led the car show for many years and passed away this year.

Friday Oct 9 — The Cruise

Cars line up starting at 4 p.m. at Our Lady of Loretto, 1806 Novato Boulevard. Enter the parking lot from the Grant Avenue or Virginia Avenue side. The cruise departs at 5:15 p.m., led by the Novato Police Department. Note: there are no restrooms at the staging area.

Saturday Oct 10 — The Show

Gates open at 6:30 a.m. for registered vehicles at 1st Street and Grant Avenue. The public arrives around 10 a.m. The DJ starts at 11 a.m., kegs and cocktails open at 11:30 a.m., and Mitch Polzak and The Royal Deuces play rockabilly and 60s country on stage from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Awards are at 3:30 p.m. at Grant and 4th Street — more than 20 category trophies plus cash for Best in Show and People's Choice.

How to get there

The show is on Grant Avenue between Redwood Boulevard and 7th Street in Downtown Novato. Street parking and nearby lots. If you're staying overnight, there are hotels nearby: Best Western Plus, Days Inn, Inn Marin, Residence Inn, and Marriott Courtyard.

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