Your roadmap to the standout events and experiences that make this Centennial celebration truly shine
In 2026, America’s most legendary highway turns 100, and communities across the country are preparing to celebrate in a big way.
For more great stories about Route 66, check out our Route 66 Tour Planner
For a century, Route 66 has carried travelers through small towns and big cities, deserts and prairies, neon-lit main streets and wide-open landscapes, earning its nickname as the “Mother Road” and cementing its place in American culture.
To mark the Route 66 Centennial, states along the historic route are planning festivals, exhibitions, art installations, and cultural events that honor the road’s rich past while inviting new generations to experience its enduring spirit. From classic car shows and street art festivals to tribal celebrations, murals, and community gatherings, these events showcase not only Route 66’s history but also the people, places, and stories that continue to keep it alive.
What follows is a state-by-state look at some of the key events and celebrations planned along Route 66 in 2026, each offering a unique reason to hit the open road, slow down, and celebrate 100 years of America’s Main Street.
Arizona Route 66 Events
Route 66 in Arizona is dotted with small towns full of authentic character. From the burros inOatman to cruisin’ the loop in Williams, rural charm is abundant on Arizona’s Route 66. With something for everyone, you’ll want to stay an extra few days to fit it all in. Arizona is home to the longest remaining unbroken stretch of Route 66, and preservation is that of our history and our future. For 90 years, Arizona’s Historic Route 66 has been more than a road. It has inspired writers, filmmakers, photographers and artists. It’s a road that represents road trips, neon main streets, classic cars, cowboys, diners, and the ever-changing times. Its wonders invoke awe, from towering red cliffs to wide open spaces with endless blue skies-painted mesas to bustling small towns.
The Kingman Route 66 Fest is a key celebration of the upcoming Route 66 Centennial. It will be hosted in beautiful Lewis Kingman Park, an Arizona oasis along the Mother Road, and highlights the history and culture surrounding America’s Main Street. The October 16-17, 2026, event offers a long list of things to do on Route 66. The festival features live bands, beer gardens serving regional craft beers, food and craft vendors, a classic car show, Hot Neon Nights tuner show, vintage trailer show, Route 66 displays and so much more. The Route 66 Fest is free. Arrive a day earlier for the October 15, 2026, screening of the full-length documentary Route 66, The Main Street of America Screening at Beale Street Theater.
California Route 66 Events
California Historic Route 66 Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion and enjoyment of Historic Route 66 in California. Its history coincides with December 1990 legislation designating Route 66 as “State Historic Highway Route 66.” This legislation made signage permissible for the previously decommissioned federal highway. Its association was instrumental in designing historic signs and the California Transportation Authority (Caltrans) responded to their request for directional signs to guide you to the Route from Interstate highways 40 and 15. They produced and erected the earliest historic signs, which, unfortunately, were stolen almost immediately. From there, it was up to them to encourage Route 66 communities, businesses, or individuals to purchase and erect signs.
Route 66 runs along Pasadena’s main thoroughfare, Colorado Boulevard, which turns 150 in 2026. Part of the double celebration will be the Route 66 and Colorado Boulevard themes for the city’s annual Chalk Art Festival, held at the open-air shopping area The Paseo Father’s Day Weekend, June 20-21, 2026. Hundreds of skilled artists create large, colorful chalk murals in a wide variety of styles and subject matter. They range in both style and subject matter, including funny or whimsical illustrations, portraits of people, recreations of masterpieces, incredible original designs, and adorable characters.
For more great stories about Route 66, check out our Route 66 Tour Planner
Illinois Route 66 Events
Route 66 begins in Chicago and winds its way southwest through Illinois to the Mississippi River. As you follow this iconic 300-mile stretch of “The Mother Road” through the state, you’ll encounter charming towns brimming with vintage diners, quirky roadside photo-ops, museums, and a wealth of history waiting to be explored. Savor the nostalgia of a simpler time as you cruise past rolling prairies, iconic neon signs and classic Americana. From the bustling streets of Chicago to the quaint corners of Springfield, each stop along the Mother Road offers a glimpse into a bygone era. Whether you’re a history buff, a road trip enthusiast, or simply seeking adventure, Route 66 in Illinois promises an unforgettable journey where lasting memories are sure to be made.
Illinois is excited to show off the beautiful new Route 66 murals located in the Village of McLean, McLean County Museum of History, Downtown Bloomington, IL and Lexington. Thanks to the generous funding from a state grant provided by the Illinois Office of Tourism, these amazing pieces of art are an awesome Route 66 attraction.
Kansas Route 66 Events
Kansas Route 66 is a nostalgic 13.2-mile stretch packed with charm and history. Winding through Galena, Riverton, and Baxter Springs, it’s the shortest segment of the Mother Road but one of the richest in character. Visitors find vintage gas stations, quirky roadside attractions, and iconic stops like the Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store and Cars on the Route, home to the inspiration for Pixar’s “Tow Mater.” This scenic route hugs the edge of the Ozarks and showcases classic Americana, from neon signs to historic bridges. It’s a must-see for roadtrippers, history buffs, and anyone chasing the spirit of the open road.
There are two events that will be enhanced by the Centennial Celebration of the Mother Road. Galena Days and Baxter Springs Cowtown Days celebrate small-town spirit with parades, live music, food vendors, and family fun. Held annually in early summer, these events honor local heritage and bring the community together with games, crafts, and classic Route 66 charm.
Missouri Route 66 Events
Preserving History On America’s Main Street: The Route 66 Association of Missouri was established to preserve, promote, and develop Route 66 in the Show-Me State. It was founded by a group of dedicated volunteers who wanted to ensure that Route 66’s history, culture, and legacy were preserved. Today, members from all over the country and beyond have joined the Association. Come explore Route 66 with us! We are excited to bring you on this journey through Missouri’s history and culture as we take you back in time along the Mother Road. It is an experience like no other!
T h e W o r l d S t r e e t P a i n t i n g F e s t i v a l R o u t e 6 6 3 d A r t w o r k: In partnershipwith the World Street Painting Foundation of the Netherlands and international 3D street artists, Artists will create a series of 3D street paintings with Route 66 themes at locationson Route 66. The annual festival hosted by Visit Joplin, during which the paintings are created, will take place the first week of June 2026, the 100th birthday of Route 66. 3D street painting is an art style that creates an optical illusion, resulting in a three-dimensional image that appears to pop right out of the ground. Best viewed from standing atop the footprints painted below each painting.
New Mexico Route 66 Events
In its heyday, all 535 miles of New Mexico’s Route 66 bustled with life and played home to some of the most iconic experiences of the American West: herds of antelope on the high prairie, dramatic mountain vistas, and the tribal cultures of New Mexico’s native Puebloan people.
Today, travelers can still take in the nostalgia of the Mother Road, neon signs and all. Celebrate 100 years of cruising on America’s Mother Road, Route 66! 2026 marks the centennial anniversary of one of America’s original and most storied highways. From tales of hotrodders to neon-clad motels and small towns reminiscent of days long past, Route 66 has been the conduit to the heart of America for a century. Set out on your Route 66 adventure across New Mexico and explore landmarks along the route, head to one of the museums dedicated to its history, or stop into one of the quaint motels or shops still peppered along the route.
The 104th Annual Gallup International Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial is set for July 31- August 9, 2026. There will be traditional night dance performances, a juried art show and exhibit hall, a contest pow wow, Miss Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial and Little Miss pageants. The Open to the World Rodeo features eight standard events and a few from the past. Vendors, parades and so much more round out a fun 10days in Gallup.
Oklahoma Route 66 Events
A trip down Route 66 is an adventure unlike any other and nowhere is that adventure more exciting than in Oklahoma. Travelers will find more than 400 drivable miles of the Main Street of America within the state’s borders, from Quapaw in the northeast to Texola in the west. From soaring Art Deco skyscrapers to graceful bridges, classic cottage-style gas stations, and quirky roadside attractions like the famous Blue Whale, Oklahoma’s share of the Mother Road has something for everyone. On November 11, 1926-US Highway 66 was established. In 2026, the road turns 100, and Oklahoma is ready. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is planning a series of events to commemorate this fantastic occasion
Miami’s Dobson Museum is located just a block off historic Route 66. The museum hosts more than 5,000 historical items of the area’s finest Native American artifacts, china, glassware, an extensive jug collection, an area mining display, early day and international woodworking tools, displays of furniture and toys used by first settlers. The Dobson Museum’s Route 66 Centennial Display will begin September 1 and continue through November 30, 2026.
Texas Route 66 Events
The Texas Route 66 Centennial will spotlight the bold western spirit that makes the Lone Star State’s stretch of the Mother Road unlike anywhere else. In 2026, travelers can look forward to a year filled with iconic stops, community celebrations, and special programming that bring the history and culture of Texas Route 66 to life. “Route 66 in Texas is more than a road; it’s a living piece of who we are,” says Kashion Smith, Executive Director of Visit Amarillo. “Travelers come here to feel the real West, meet real people, and experience the kind of hospitality you can’t find anywhere else.” Throughout the Centennial, visitors can explore icons like Cadillac Ranch, The Big Texan Steak Ranch, the Amarillo Route 66 Historic District, and take a short detour to Palo Duro Canyon, the largest drivable canyon in the United States.
The Texas Route 66 Festival returns June 4–13, 2026, with a rodeo, cattle drive, concerts, car shows, and community celebrations along the entire Texas stretch of the Mother Road, culminating with a grand finale in Amarillo’s Route 66 Historic District. As the only official Route 66 festival in Texas, it’s the marquee celebration of the Centennial and the ultimate invitation to experience Texas Route 66 at its most vibrant.
For more great stories about Route 66, check out our Route 66 Tour Planner
