17th Annual Parade of Trabants

Join us for the ONLY Trabant Rally in the United States! Celebrate the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall at this festive gathering of the quintessential Cold War car—the Trabant. Despite their questionable performance and smoky two-stroke engines, these little cars are now affectionately regarded as a symbol of East Germany and the fall of Communism.

Trabants are a rarity here, but on November 4 some of the finest examples in the US will chug their way to the International Spy Museum to celebrate our 17th Annual Parade of Trabants.

Drop in for a car show unlike any other and view the famous “cardboard” cars and other vintage Cold War autos, vans, scooters, and cycles all very far from their original homes. You can even vote on your favorite! The vintage vehicles will be parked around the Museum on L’Enfant Plaza, SW.

While the cars are on display, their owners will be on hand to answer queries about how they keep their cars “humming” along. Experts can answer your questions about the Cold War, Communism, and how these cars represent that time too. Perhaps, you’ll be lucky enough to watch the “Wall” fall all over again. Try your hand at graffiti Berlin-style or see if you can fit into the tiny spaces like those escaping from East Berlin did, all while the Alte Kameraden German Band provides festive music.

NEW this year, German pooches are invited to compete for Best Dog Disguise — does your schnauzer’s beard and mustache look suspicious? Does your dachshund have a dashing double life? Let our expert be the judge at 1:00 pm.* Don't miss this and more! 

*Best Dog Disguise competition will take place outside the Museum. Dogs are not permitted in the building.