Show Off Your Wheels at Houston’s Raddest Car Show

Houstonia’s The Must List tells you about something going on in Houston that you absolutely cannot miss.

Houston moves on four wheels. Our city’s reliance on cars is undeniable, its sprawl of highways lacing together neighborhoods from every direction. But the scope of that automotive community is bigger than any daily commute could suggest. The unique car culture that lies in every nook and cranny of Houston shines brightest at monthly meets, local shows, and impromptu nighttime and weekend cruises, where candy-bright custom builds and exotic supercars turn ordinary parking lots into festivals of chrome and horsepower.

When it comes to these gatherings, Coffee and Cars takes the cake. Founded in 2004 by local enthusiasts who noticed that gearheads often convened at coffee shops on weekends, the organization quickly grew beyond the typical café lot. Throughout the next 21 years, the monthly meetup ballooned from a handful of car lovers to a citywide phenomenon that today regularly draws thousands of enthusiasts during each iteration.

“We represent a community that transcends backgrounds, economic status, or the type of car you bring to events,” said Abe Levitz, an event organizer with Coffee and Cars, at the group’s meet-up at Post Houston on February 1. “You can see a Ferrari parked next to a Honda Civic, and [the owners] sit together and appreciate each other’s vehicles. There’s no ego here.”

This is the crux of Houston’s car culture: a judgment-free zone where diversity isn’t just welcomed, it’s celebrated. The city’s car scene is a patchwork of styles, each with its own story. It’s a culture that thrives on individuality, where no two builds are exactly the same, yet everyone finds common ground in their love for cars.

That spirit of openness drew Christiaan Bedford Sr. to local meets soon after moving to Houston from Portland in 2020. He quickly discovered that the city’s sprawling geography translates to an equally sprawling array of car shows—held everywhere from downtown to The Woodlands, sometimes two or three times a weekend.

“You find car shows everywhere here,” Bedford says. “On the northside alone, there’s probably five different car shows. I think it’s incredible!”

Like many others, Bedford was drawn to the local car scene for the sense of belonging it offers. He bought his 1966 Lincoln Continental from its original owner in 2019 and has since converted it from gas to diesel, installed airbags, and soundproofed the interior.

Bedford’s Lincoln is just one example of the countless custom builds that define the city’s car culture. Slabs—a nickname based on the acronym “slow, loud, and banging”—are commonly associated with Houston, often sporting flashy candy paint, elaborate rims, and sound systems that rattle the pavement. They gained popularity in the ’80s and can still be found rolling the concrete streets of Houston today.

“There are certain things that are unique to Houston. Slab and art cars are unique and very dominant,” Levitz says.

Houston’s car culture continues to evolve and expand in both size and scope. Levitz notes that the rise of social media and digital platforms has played a significant role in amplifying the community’s reach, especially for Coffee and Cars.

“A huge shift has been the way digital media has become a way to experience the event—in the past, you’d see less of that,” Levitz says. “Now, people are 100 percent socially engaged. There might be drones flying. [Attendees are] gonna take pictures and videos, and they’re gonna post it.”

This digital shift has also made it easier for newcomers to find their place in the scene. “I got online and saw this car show, and that spurred other car shows,” Bedford says, describing meeting others who would introduce him to more groups—a domino effect that has shaped his weekends ever since.

The evolution of Houston’s car culture isn’t just about technology—it’s also about the growing diversity of styles and the increasing number of events that cater to every niche. As Levitz points out, while Coffee and Cars remains the largest recurring event, plenty of smaller, hyper-focused meets are popping up across the city, too.

Know Before You Go

Coffee and Cars meetups happen every first Saturday of the month. The events are currently held at Post Houston and the next show is on March 1 from 8 to 11am. This weekend’s theme, Rad Day, focuses on ’80s and ’90s cars. Register your vehicle on the website, or just show up to enjoy the rides.