A hundred years later, America still can’t quit Route 66. The legendary “Mother Road” officially turns 100 this November, marking a century of neon motel signs, roadside diners, family road trips and desert detours stretching from Illinois to California. From classic car rallies to balloon festivals and cowboy rodeos, the Southwest is going big on the celebrations—and here’s where to get your kicks during Route 66’s centennial year.
Visit Amarillo
Texas Route 66 Festival | June 4–13 | Amarillo, TX
Everything’s bigger in Texas, and that includes its Route 66 celebrations. Spanning 178 miles across the Texas Panhandle, this massive 10-day festival stretches from Amarillo to Adrian with parades, concerts, rodeos, car shows and classic Route 66 cruises. The grand finale takes over Amarillo’s Historic Route 66 District, where vintage cars, live music and thousands of road trip lovers transform historic Sixth Avenue into a full-on Mother Road party.
Learn more at texasroute66festival.com.
Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo | June 4–7 | Amarillo, TX
Route 66 and cowboy culture go hand in hand in Amarillo, where this historic tri-state ranch rodeo showcases real working cowboys competing in traditional ranch events. This year, expect Route 66-themed celebrations woven into the rodeo atmosphere, blending Texas ranch heritage with classic roadside Americana.
Learn more at coorsranchrodeo.com.
Williams Historic Route 66 Car Show | June 5–6 | Williams, AZ
Classic cars practically are Route 66 culture, and Williams leans fully into the nostalgia with this car show. Walk through impressive, polished American muscle car and vintage wagons, shop vendors and enjoy live entertainment along with plenty of chrome-lined photo ops in one of Arizona’s most iconic Route 66 towns.
Learn more at williamshistoricroute66carshow.com.
Route 66 Centennial Celebration | June 6 | Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff is throwing one free, giant birthday party for the Mother Road. Heritage Square in downtown will be filled with classic cars, live bands, Indigenous artists, telescope viewings, face painting, storytelling areas and even a parked BNSF locomotive. There’ll be cupcakes for the first 100 children to arrive, a lot of Route 66 merchandise to shop, and a community singalong of “Happy Birthday” before the evening wraps with an outdoor screening of Disney’s Cars.
Learn more at flagstaffarizona.org.
Hemmings Great Race Grand Finale | June 28 | Pasadena, CA
After traveling more than 2,300 miles across America—from the Mother road starting point in Illinois to ending in California—over 100 antique automobiles roll into Pasadena for the grand finale of the Hemmings Great Race. The nine-day rally celebrates the spirit of Route 66 with some of the world’s finest vintage cars crossing the finish line in front of Pasadena City Hall.
Learn more at visitpasadena.com/events.
Texas Motor Tour | October 1–3 | Texola, TX
Want the full Route 66 experience? Hit the road yourself. This three-day caravan cruises across the Texas Panhandle through legendary Route 66 towns including Shamrock, Amarillo and Adrian, complete with live music, museums, banquets and more.
Learn more at rt66oftexas.com/texasmotortour.
New Mexico True
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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta | October 3–11 | Albuquerque, NM
The world-famous Balloon Fiesta joins the centennial celebration with special Route 66-themed activations woven into this year’s festivities. This year’s Balloon Fiesta theme, “The Scenic Route,” feels especially fitting as Route 66 celebrates its centennial year. Visitors can watch hundreds of colorful hot air balloons rise over the desert at sunrise, catch glowing nighttime balloon displays and celebrate one of the Southwest’s most iconic traditions during the Mother Road’s milestone year.
Learn more at balloonfiesta.com.
Route 66 Fest | October 16–17 | Kingman, AZ
Kingman closes out the centennial season with one giant love letter to Route 66. Expect live music, classic shows and pinup shows, vendors, food and all the nostalgic roadside energy you could want before the official birthday in November.
Learn more at 66fest.com.