Route 66 Centennial Celebration
Route 66's centennial in 2026 will feature a multi-day festival in Springfield, Missouri from April 30 to May 3 [https://www.blackseries.net/blog/route-66-centennial-planning-blackseries-rv-guide.html]. Five satellite hubs will also host synchronized events.
Five satellite cities will join Springfield, Missouri, in hosting synchronized events for the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off on April 30, 2026. These cities are Joliet, Illinois; St. Louis, Missouri; Amarillo, Texas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Santa Monica, California. Each satellite city was chosen through a proposal process. Joliet, Illinois, will host its celebration at the Old Joliet Prison, which has been revitalized as an event space. The satellite cities will have live cut-ins during the Centennial Kick-Off concert broadcast from Springfield, Missouri. The virtual kick-off aims to mirror New Year's Eve celebrations, with Springfield acting as the "home base". Oklahoma is planning a year-long celebration to spotlight its role in preserving and promoting Route 66. Tulsa will host a classic car parade on May 30, 2026. The Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission is planning projects and events leading up to 2026. Kingman, Arizona, is planning several events, including "The Drive Home VII Route 66 - A Century of Adventure" in early January 2026 and the Kingman Route 66 Fest in October. Route 66 Bike Week will also occur in April 2026. Kingman dedicated its first Centennial project, the Route 66 Drive Thru Shield, in July 2021. The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway is holding its Statewide Conference and Centennial Celebration on November 11, 2026, in Springfield, Illinois. The event will include a conference, awards gala, and a celebration with live entertainment. The U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission is soliciting ideas for events and projects to commemorate the centennial.
