Route 66 Centennial Events in Arizona
Get ready Arizona!
The Grand Canyon State is leading the way in celebrating 100 years of America's most famous highway: Route 66.
With the perfect autumn weather Arizona is famous for and its open skies, Arizona is kicking off its Centennial celebrations months ahead of the national launch in April of 2026. From Kingman to Seligman and Winslow to Williams, the Copper State is gearing up for a season of unforgettable events honoring The Mother Road.
Major Centennial Events
1.) Kingman Route 66 Fest (October 10–11, 2025)
The Kingman Route 66 Fest will kick off things on October 10–11, 2025 in Kingman: the Heart of Historic Route 66. The festival will include a classic car show, a pinup contest, food trucks, arts and craft vendors, and live music. Come join this family-friendly event that draws visitors from across the country.
Contact Info:
Name: Josh Noble, Festival Chair
Phone: (928) 718-2581
Email: jnoble@cityofkingman.gov
Website: 66fest.com
2.) 100 Years of Route 66 Exhibit (November 9, 2025)
This special exhibit in Winslow spotlights a century of Route 66 history with photos, artifacts and firsthand stories from the road. Explore how "America's Main Street" shaped travel, commerce and culture, specifically in Northern Arizona. A perfect stop for history buffs planning their Centennial adventures.
Event Details:
Where: Winslow Visitor Center
When: Sunday, November 9, 2025 — 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Partnership: The exhibit is a collaboration between the Winslow Visitor Center and the Old Trails Museum.
Website: oldtrailsmuseum.org
3.) Roaring Twenties Centennial Kickoff Party: A Night at the Route 66 Museum (November 15, 2025)
Step back into the Jazz Age at the Arizona Route 66 Museum with live music, vintage attire and Roaring Twenties flair. Celebrate the early era of highway travel with multiple themed activities and photo opportunities. It promises to be a lively night honoring the roots of the Mother Road.
Contact Info:
Name: Katie Barthlow, Communications Specialist
Phone: (928) 753-5001
Email: katie@historic66az.com
Website: historic66az.com/night-at-the-museum
Exhibits & Cultural Experiences
1.) Wagon Road to Mother Road Exhibit (Beginning November 2025)
Trace The Mother Road's origins from the 1857 Beale Wagon Road to the modern highway that defined American road trips. This exhibit connects maps, memorabilia and regional stories to reveal how the Southwest became a crossroads of travel. The Wagon Road to Mother Road promises to be engaging, informative and a perfect visit for families.
Contact Info:
Name: General Contact
Phone: (928) 774-5213
Email: info@musnaz.org
Website: musnaz.org/on-view/upcoming-exhibitions
2.) A New One-Act Play: Route 66 to the Grand Canyon (Beginning December 2025)
This interactive one-act invites audiences to experience the humor, heart and hurdles of traveling Route 66 on the way to the Grand Canyon. Commissioned by Theatrikos, the play blends local lore with classic roadside charm. A fun cultural stop for theater fans and travelers alike.
Contact Info:
Name: Box Office
Phone: (928) 774-1662
Email: tickets@theatrikos.com
Website: theatrikos.com
Classic Cars, Motorcycles, and Road Rallies
1.) Williams New Year’s Eve Car Drop (December 31, 2025)
Ring in the New Year with a vintage 1927 Chevy "car drop," fireworks and downtown festivities. Williams transforms Historic Route 66 into a street party with music, sips and plenty of photo-worthy vibes. A festive kickoff to a milestone year on the Mother Road.
Contact Info:
Name: DeeDee Mahan
Phone: (928) 635-4451
Email: dmahan@williamsaz.gov
Website: experiencewilliams.com/new-years-eve-williams-arizona
2.) Route 66 Bike Week (April 20–26, 2026)
This rolling rally brings riders together for a week of open-road freedom across iconic Route 66 towns. Expect scenic miles, historic stops, unexpected beauty and nightly meetups that celebrate two-wheeled culture. Ideal for motorcycle enthusiasts chasing classic Americana.
Contact Info:
Name: Rob Borden
Phone: (424) 322-0505
Email: livefromssr@gmail.com
Website: route66bikeweek.com
3.) Route 66 Fun Run (November 9, 2025 / November 13–16, 2026)
Route 66 Fun Run is cited as the oldest Route 66 celebration in the US, tracing its roots back to 1987. Participants travel the longest continuous and unbroken stretch of the original Route 66, spanning 140–160 miles from Seligman to Topock. Join drivers, car clubs and families for this legendary cruise, a tradition that truly captures the spirit of the Mother Road and the Centennial.
Contact Info:
Name: Nikki Terlesky
Phone: (928) 753-5001
Email: nikki@historic66az.com
Website: historic66az.com/fun-run
4.) Williams Historic Route 66 Car Show (June 5–6, 2026)
Downtown Williams hosts hundreds of gleaming classic and custom cars on the original highway. Stroll the displays, meet owners and enjoy dining and shops along the route. There are expected to be over 500 cars on display. A can't-miss weekend for auto fans and Route 66 photographers.
Contact Info:
Name: General Contact
Phone: (928) 637-4494
Email: williamshistoricroute66carshow@gmail.com
Website: williamshistoricroute66carshow.com
5.) Mother Road Classic Car Show (August 15, 2026)
This community-minded show pairs chrome and nostalgia with local charity support. Expect a wide spectrum of vehicles, from pre-war treasures to muscle cars and modern builds. It's Flagstaff's annual salute to car culture and the Mother Road.
Contact Info:
Name: Louis Armino / Robert Penhaker
Phone: (928) 527-6844
Email: louis.arminio@gmail.com
Website: route66carclub.org
Festivals and Local Celebrations
1.) Oatman Bed Races (January 31, 2026)
Only on Route 66 will you find games with teams of contestants in costumes pushing wheeled beds down Oatman's historic main street for bragging rights and laughs. Add in the burros, old-west storefronts and spectators cheering from the boardwalks. Quirky, spirited and unmistakably Oatman.
Contact Info:
Name: Oatman Chamber of Commerce
Phone: (928) 768-9139
Email: oatmangoldroadchamber20@gmail.com
Website: oatmanchamberofcommerce.com
2.) Seligman Centennial Celebration: Monument Signs Unveiling (April 30, 2026)
Celebrate the "Birthplace of Historic Route 66" with new monument signs, live entertainment and plenty of other day-long festivities along Main Street. Seligman's small-town pride and roadside charm make this a heartfelt stop. Come for the ceremony and stay for the classic diners and neon signage.
Contact Info:
Name: John
Phone: (928) 607-3032
Email: seligmanazchamberofcommerce@gmail.com
Website: seligmanazchamber.com
3.) Flagstaff Route 66 Centennial Celebration (June 6, 2026)
Flagstaff Route 66 Centennial Celebration is a free all-day event for the family featuring nostalgic reenactments, streetscape chalk art and a classic car show. Explore local history, grab a bite downtown and enjoy the cool pines and mountain town vibes.
Contact Info:
Name: Cory Woodall
Phone: (928) 213-2964
Email: cory.woodall@flagstaffaz.gov
Website: flagstaffaz.gov
4.) Standin' on the Corner Festival (September 25–26, 2026)
Celebrate the iconic Eagles song "Take it Easy" at the annual Standin' on the Corner Festival in Winslow. This two-day event brings the famous lyric to life with a full lineup of live music, delicious food, mouthwatering drinks and memorable photo opportunities at the world-famous Standin' on the Corner Park landmark which also features a girl in a flatbed Ford, my Lord.
Contact Info:
Name: Standin' on the Corner Foundation
Phone: (480) 326-3486
Email: contactussotc@gmail.com
Website: standinonthecorner.org
5.) Route 66, The Main Street of America Documentary Screening (October 15, 2026)
Watch The Mother Road's story unfold on the big screen, then step outside for a block-party car show. Hosted at the Beale Street Theatre, this event celebrates the Route 66 Centennial with one of the earliest screenings of the film: part of a cross-country "Main Street of America Road Show" tour along Historic Route 66. This Kingman screening marks one of six screenings currently scheduled in Arizona. Visit the official Main Street of America Road Show website to explore other screening venues and times.
Contact Info:
Name: John Paget
Phone: (716) 867-6488
Email: john@firstmainfilms.com
Website: mainstreetofamerica.com
6.) Route 66 UltraRun (November 13–16, 2026)
Conquer the Mother Road in this epic 140-mile ultramarathon across Arizona's historic Route 66. The point-to-point course begins in Seligman, runs through Kingman and finishes in Topock. Runners will test their endurance and strategy against the stunning backdrop of high desert vistas and the iconic, original pavement. This bucket-list endurance challenge is a true test of grit on the Main Street of America.
Contact Info:
Name: Marshall Ulrich
Phone: (970) 380-3769
Email: catchmarsh@marshallulrich.com
Website: route66ultrarun.com
This article will be continuously updated as new events and information becomes available. Last updated October 2025.