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Dates, new location announced for 2021 Cleveland Auto Show

PHOTOS: Cleveland Auto Show
Posted at 11:31 AM, Feb 02, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-02 18:17:58-05

CLEVELAND — The 2021 Cleveland Auto Show, a favorite family tradition for many in Cleveland since 1903, will be held at the Huntington Convention Center.

The auto show will open on Dec. 3 for media and automotive industry employees at the Huntington Convention Center in downtown Cleveland. Public show dates are planned for Dec. 4 through Dec. 12.

“With so many changes and hardships throughout 2020, we are very excited to bring one of Cleveland’s favorite events downtown later this year,” says Joey Huang, chairman of the Cleveland Auto Show and owner of the Great Lakes Auto Network, in a news release. “You’ll still be able to see everything under one roof, making shopping comparisons in a no-pressure environment but with an all-new layout inside the Cleveland Convention Center.”

The show will feature new vehicles, including from the 2022 lineup, as well as the popular Ride N’ Drives.

“We’ll see the return of attractions like Ride N’ Drives and Millionaire’s Row, as well as classic and celebrity vehicles to round out our specialty displays,” adds Louis A. Vitantonio, president of the Cleveland Auto Show, in a release. “And with our Show dates in December, we’re planning festive family fun and entertainment along with celebrity appearances throughout the Cleveland Auto Show’s ten-day run.”

If you have never been to the Huntington Convention Center Vitantonio told News 5 you will be seeing a lot of it.

"We're going to utilize the entire Convention Center floor, they have Halls A, B and C they also have large ballrooms we're going to put some vehicles in there. Some areas outside the ballroom, if you're looking out the windows you're actually looking at Browns Stadium," he said.

And there will be test drives but with a twist.

"They're going to be out of the docks where the freight comes in underground," he said. "So you're going to be able to jump in a car with somebody and drive out of the loading dock underground up unto the streets of Cleveland."

When the IX Center announced it was closing in September the convention center was the obvious location but they had to work around a planning book that goes years out.

"We had to work around their schedule I mean they have a lot of things that are on the books one that's very public is the NBA All-Star Game in '22," Vitantonio said. "We had to make the best of it."

Special event days during the auto show including Heroes Day and the Grand Finale Vehicle Giveaway. If you’re active or veteran military member, first responder, or healthcare worker, you will be admitted to the show free of charge on designated days with proper I.D.

Tickets will cost $16 for adults, or $13 when purchased ahead of time online. Children six and under will get in free. Show hours are currently planned to run from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day, with Sunday hours from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m