Hundreds of car enthusiasts were given the opportunity to show off their vehicles during the Summernats city cruise.

About 500 cars took part in the annual tradition which ran along Northbourne Avenue.

Steph Panok from Canberra watched the cruise with her family on Thursday 2 January.

“I like that it’s gone back to the city cruise,” she told CD.

Ms Panok first watched the cruise decades ago.

“They used to do this years ago when I was a child. And it’s great because it’s free so you don’t have to buy a formal ticket and go in,” she said.

“Because obviously in the years gone by it was a bit more for the adults, but it has become a lot more family-friendly over the last five years or more.”

Ms Panok has also attended the annual car event, Summernats, which is being held at Exhibition Park in Canberra from January 2-5.

She said her favourite things about Summernats were the show ‘n’ shine and the city cruise.

“You get to see all the special cars that people have worked on and get awards for – it’s pretty spectacular,” Ms Panok said.