As cities and towns along Route 66 gear up for the highway’s centennial celebration in 2026, their festivals have become more elaborate. Here are five festive events taking place in 2025 that include everything from car shows and old-car cruises along the road to live bands, farmers markets and hot-air balloon rides.
Texas Route 66 Festival
June 5-14, 2025
Amarillo, Texas
The Texas Route 66 Festival is a 10-day extravaganza that takes place in several locations along the 178-mile stretch of Route 66 through the Texas Panhandle, with activities ranging from rodeos and karaoke to live concerts and car shows. The entire event culminates in a huge celebration on June 14 along Amarillo’s historic Sixth Avenue, which is considered one of the most iconic stretches of Route 66 in Texas.
The festival begins with the Coors Ranch Rodeo Kick-Off at the Amarillo Tri-State Fairgrounds on June 5. Each day features different events. On June 6, there is a Celebrity Fast Draw Shoot Out, Coors Ranch Rodeo and a Night Under the Neon at the famous U-Drop Inn and Café in Shamrock with live music, dancing and food. On June 7, groups can catch the cattle drive and parade downtown, a rodeo, rodeo dance and 60 Years on the Square, with a petting zoo, roping demonstrations, food trucks and sales at participating shops.
Other days feature a 5k and 10k race through the ghost town of Jericho, a lowrider cruise down Route 66, live music and movies. On June 11, the TX 66 East Bus Tour takes groups to visit quirky Route 66 attractions, including the Britten Leaning Water Tower, Jericho ghost town, Devil’s Rope Museum, the historic Conoco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn, and The Big Texan Steak Ranch. The TX 66 West Bus Tour takes visitors to Vega, Texas, and historic sites such as Magnolia Gas Station and the Milburn-Price Culture Museum. Other stops include Russell’s Truck and Travel Center, with its collection of classic cars and Route 66 memorabilia, and Glenrio Historic District, a ghost town with 17 abandoned buildings.
The Festival Finale takes place in Amarillo’s Route 66 historic district with vendor booths, food, live music, the Miss Texas Route 66 Pinup Pageant, kids’ activities, a car show and more.
visitamarillo.com/events/route-66
Route 66 Summerfest
July 19, 2025
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque plans to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road beginning with its Route 66 Summerfest on July 19, 2025, and continuing through December 2026. The 2025 festival is located in Nob Hill, an area of the city famous for its old Route 66 motels, historic KiMo Theatre and neon signs. The event takes place along a one-mile stretch of Central Avenue/Route 66, from Girard Boulevard to Washington Street, with live music on several stages covering different genres, including jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, the blues and country.
Some of the city’s best restaurants and food trucks will be present, serving up everything from New Mexican cuisine to international delicacies and mouthwatering desserts. Several New Mexico breweries, wineries and bars will serve drinks. A large artisan market offers attendees the opportunity to shop for locally made wares, including jewelry, crafts and artwork.
The festival also features a classic car show with beautifully restored vehicles that would not have been out of place cruising Route 66 during the height of its popularity. A Kids’ Zone will offer family-friendly activities, including interactive games, rides and face painting.
31st Annual Rolla Route 66 Summerfest
June 6–7, 2025
Rolla, Missouri
The Rolla Route 66 Summerfest got its start as a way to promote downtown Rolla, Missouri, with sporting events all over town. It has evolved over the past 30 years into a major celebration of Old Route 66 and the beginning of summer. Friday night kicks off with an old-car cruise from Saint James, 11 miles away, to downtown Rolla’s festival lots. The cruise, which follows Route 66, usually attracts 70 to 100 vehicles. There is a Crazy Funny Dog Show, a drumming competition, a street dance, and a Friday night movie and release party, which includes characters from the movie and treats that fit the theme. There are also bounce houses, a barrel train, pony rides, game vendors and live music at the food court.
On Saturday, the food court will be open with live music all day. There will be craft and arts vendors and children’s activities. A car show on Pine Street — the original 1926 alignment of Route 66 in downtown Rolla was on Pine Street — has attracted up to 160 cars from as far away as Texas, Louisiana and Tennessee in prior years. Hillbilly Drag Racing features contestants racing each other on souped-up lawnmowers. The Burnout Contest is for anyone who doesn’t care about losing some tire tread, and the entire festival ends with the free Concert Under the Stars.
Arcadia Annual Route 66 Balloon and Kite Festival 2025
September 26–28, 2025
Arcadia, Oklahoma
Last year was the first year for the Route 66 Balloon and Kite Festival in Arcadia, Oklahoma, and although weather disrupted some of the festivities, organizers say it was a great event anyway, attracting more than 15,000 attendees through the three-day weekend.
Route 66 travels through Arcadia, which is less than a mile from the main highway. The Balloon Festival is held at Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch, a family-owned ranch. Last year’s event hosted 15 hot-air balloons offering tethered rides for attendees. Event organizers are hoping for an even bigger turnout in 2025, as the event is open to any balloonists who want to participate. There will be helicopter rides that take guests on an eight- to 10-minute flight around Arcadia Lake and up and down Route 66 before returning to the event grounds.
A kite show will highlight 40- to 60-foot kites taking to the skies in the mornings, and there will be paramotoring demonstrations, when a person harnessed to a motor and a paraglider can take off from the ground.
Last year’s event featured 30 food trucks and 70 vendors selling arts and crafts and handmade jewelry.
24th Annual International Route 66 Mother Road Festival
September 26–28, 2025
Springfield, Illinois
In Illinois, Springfield’s three-day International Route 66 Mother Road Festival typically begins with an old-car cruise from the outer part of the city to the heart of downtown, attracting 1,500 to 2,000 cars. Spectators line the parade route to catch a glimpse of the participants in their restored vehicles. There is live music on the main stage on both Friday and Saturday that incorporates all genres of music, from rockabilly and 1960s music to more modern varieties.
The second day of the event features a judged car show, with trophies that attracts 1,000 vehicles, and Miss Mother Road and Mr. Mother Road contests, where the contestants compete while decked out in vintage clothing. Car show participants come from across the U.S. Last year’s event attracted participants from Canada and Germany.
The cars line up on different blocks based on the era they are from. One block might have large-fin cars from the 1950s, and another might feature exotic sports cars. There is a Saturday farmers market downtown and a section where children can race pedal cars or motorized cars. The event is close to all of Springfield’s major attractions, including the Old State Capitol and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
