Naples Council Questions Future of 'Cars on 5th' Event

Is the popular car show becoming too big for the city?

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:10pm

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The future of the 22nd Annual Cars on 5th Concours in Naples, Florida is uncertain as the city council raises concerns that the popular car show has grown too large for the downtown area. The event, which benefits Habitat for Humanity of Collier County, draws thousands of attendees each year.

Why it matters

Cars on 5th is a long-running tradition in Naples, but the city council is worried that the event's growing size is causing disruptions and straining the downtown infrastructure. As a major fundraiser for Habitat Collier, any changes to the event could impact the nonprofit's ability to serve the community.

The details

The Cars on 5th event features a display of hundreds of classic, exotic, and custom cars lining 5th Avenue South in downtown Naples. Over the years, the event has grown significantly, with thousands of people attending. However, the city council is now questioning whether the event has become too large, citing concerns about road closures, parking, and the ability of local businesses to operate normally during the show.

  • The 22nd Annual Cars on 5th Concours took place on April 2, 2026.

The players

Cars on 5th Concours

An annual car show held in downtown Naples, Florida that features hundreds of classic, exotic, and custom vehicles. The event benefits Habitat for Humanity of Collier County.

Habitat for Humanity of Collier County

A local nonprofit organization that builds and repairs homes for low-income families in Collier County, Florida.

Naples City Council

The governing body of the city of Naples, Florida, which is responsible for overseeing events and activities within the city limits.

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What they’re saying

“The event has grown to the point where it's not an event venue anymore. It's a full-blown festival that takes over the entire downtown area.”

— City Council Member

What’s next

The Naples City Council plans to discuss the future of the Cars on 5th event at an upcoming meeting to determine if changes need to be made to the event's size, location, or other logistics.

The takeaway

The success of the Cars on 5th event has created challenges for the city of Naples, as officials must balance the event's popularity and fundraising benefits with the disruptions it causes to the downtown area. This highlights the ongoing tension cities face when managing the growth of large-scale events.