The Chicago Auto Show will be alive with motion next month, with the show securing two indoor tracks, two more outdoor tracks, and outdoor ride-and-drives by nine and maybe 10 brands. The show is July 15-19.

Outdoor activities will be at an all-time high for the 120-year-old show. Of course, the 2021 edition will be the only one not to have been held in late January or February. A high-octane street fest will close the show’s first four days.

Admission tickets cost $13 each and are sold exclusively online at www.chicagoautoshow.com. Full information for visitors to plan their trip also is on the website.

As it is among the first U.S. auto shows since the curtain came down on the 2020 Chicago Auto Show, expect plenty of global and North American debuts next month. For one, Ford will introduce its Maverick compact pickup truck, which will be introduced along with the all-new F-150, all-electric F-150 Lightning, Bronco, Bronco Sport and Mustang Mach-E.

"Ford jumped at the opportunity to take advantage of our expanded outdoor space to showcase its latest models to the public," said Chicago Auto Show General Manager Dave Sloan. "It’s also exciting that show attendees will be the first in the world to experience both the ‘Built Wild’ and ‘Built to Electrify’ activations, as both make their global debuts at our show."

Ford is planning a Bronco heritage outdoor display to show off the model’s robust history and evolution over the years. Indoors, a highly interactive display called "Ford Built Tough" will highlight the brand’s latest truck lineup, performance vehicles, passenger cars and commercial products.

  

Other fan-favorite attractions such as the Camp Jeep and Ram Trucks Territory test tracks return indoors.

    

"Those experiences are among the top reasons people love to attend the Chicago Auto Show," Sloan said. "Because of their popularity, people were used to waiting in long lines. This summer, the consumer experience will be elevated because now people will be able to electronically book a time slot for these experiences in advance as they plan their visit, which is a benefit of the effort we’re taking to diminish lines and reduce congestion within the exhibits."

The outdoor street fest will treat attendees to an array of shiny new cars, trucks, and SUVs parked along Indiana Avenue; local food from pop-up food trucks and tents — including Smoke Daddy, Tuco and Blondie, Connie’s Pizza, Monk’s Burger Bar, Sausage Fest and Nice Buns — tasty sweets from vendors such as Andy’s Frozen Custard, Cookies w/Flavor and A Sweets Girl Cupcakes; local brews from Chicago-based Goose Island; and music by varying local musicians spanning an array of genres.

"We’re very appreciative of the cooperation from Chicago Alderman Pat Dowell and McCormick Place officials who have been so accommodating as we bring the vision of our special edition auto show to life," said CATA Chairman Kevin Keefe. "The Chicago Auto Show street fest is a prime example of the cooperation extended to us."

 

Admission tickets that are secured for the evening time block grant attendees access to the show and to the street fest.

Outdoor ride-and-drives will be hosted by Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Jeep, Kia, Lincoln, Ram, and Subaru, and possibly Volkswagen.

The Chicago Auto Show is committed to providing a safe environment for all involved and will carefully adhere to the health and safety protocols and guidelines set forth by city and state officials. 

Beyond the electronic ticketing process, show management will regulate the number of attendees throughout each day to control the number of people on the show floor at any given time. 

Masks are recommended for individuals who are not fully vaccinated. It is suggested that all attendees bring a mask in the event it is required for participation in one of the test tracks.

The day before the show opens to the public, during an abbreviated Media Preview, brief news conferences will be held in the displays of Ford, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, Nissan, Ram, Toyota and Volkswagen.

 

First Look for Charity will not be held in 2021.