Route 66 Centennial Events

2026 marks the year of the Route 66 Centennial, and local organizations are celebrating in a big way! Here are some events happening along the Mother Road that you might want to put on your radar.

Some of this information comes from oklahomaroute66.com. Visit their website for even more Route 66 events.

Tulsa Route 66 Events

66 Days of Fun

• April 2-June 6
• Tulsa Market District

Mother Road Market and the Tulsa Market District are celebrating the Route 66 Centennial with a series of fun events, including live music, game nights, and much more. Follow @motherroadmarket and @tulsamarketdistrict on Facebook for details.

Mayfest Road Trip

• May 2-30
• Various locations

This year’s Mayfest festival will take place throughout the month of May. The Local Arts market will take place May 15-17. Find more information at tulsamayfest.org

Exploration Station: Route 66 Pit Stop!

• May 13, 3-5 p.m.
• Gathering Place

Explore the science behind what we eat! Learn about important Oklahoma crops, focusing on botany and agricultural science. Get first-hand experience by touching, tasting, or working with Oklahoma commodities!

The Signature Symphony’s Seedling Symphony will also be at this event sharing their new performance “Tully the Truck Discovers Route 66” with guests!

Grand Opening of the Blue Whale Visitor Center

• May 30, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Blue Whale of Catoosa

Enjoy a full day of festivities celebrating the Blue Whale of Catoosa’s new Visitor Center!

• 8 a.m.: Blue Whale 5K and Fun Run
• 12 p.m.: Vendor Market Opens
• 2 p.m.:Ribbon Cutting and Remarks
  4-8 p.m.: Live Music
  8 p.m.: Firework Grand Finale

Tulsa-Route 66 Capital Cruise

• May 28-30 (The Cruise itself takes place May 30 starting at 8 a.m.)
• Expo Square; the Cruise takes place from 11th and Yale to 11th and Denver

Tulsa is celebrating 100 years of Route 66 with Capital Cruise, a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® attempt for the largest classic car parade ever. From vintage muscle to family treasures on four wheels, thousands of stunning cars will cruise right through the heart of the Capital of Route 66. 

In addition to the Capital Cruise, there will be a Capital Cruise Expo May 28, 2-8 p.m. and May 29, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and a Capital Cruise Tailgate on May 29, 4-8 p.m., featuring a tire kick, food, Tulsa Kids Market, activations and vendors.

Exploration Station: Route 66 Pit Stop!

• June 10, 3-5 p.m.
• Gathering Place

Explore the physics and engineering of the tools essential to Route 66 travel. Have hands-on experience with tools like jacks and wrenches, practicing skills like measuring, tightening nuts and bolts, and learning how to use a hammer!

Cox Movie Night: Cars 20th Anniversary

• June 12, 6-9 p.m.
• Gathering Place

Race over to Gathering Place and celebrate the 20th anniversary of Cars! Before the show, guests are invited to participate in pre-show experiences that bring the film to life. 

Films on the Lawn: Cars

• June 12, 6:30-11 p.m. (Movie starts at 8:50 p.m.)
• Philbrook Museum

Cruise in starting at 6:30 PM to enjoy family-friendly activities, face painting, lawn games and delicious food and drink before the movie begins at dusk.

Route 66 Sand Sculpture Showcase

• June 25-28, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Gathering Place

Watch the spirit of Route 66 come alive through a sand sculpting demonstration. A master artist will transform sand into detailed scenes inspired by the iconic Mother Road, celebrating its history and creativity in real time. Fun and engaging for all ages.

“Get Your Kicks!” Shoe Art Competition

• June 25-July 18
• Gathering Place

Local artists will transform kicks into Route 66–inspired works of art—and you get to vote for your favorites during the three weeks leading up to Gathering Place’s Route 66 Festival.

AAA Route 66 Road Fest

• June 27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; June 28, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Expo Square

The Route 66 Road Fest, presented by AAA, is a one-of-a-kind celebration giving you the chance to take your own journey through the history, attractions, characters, and fun of one of America’s most enduring treasures.

Route 66 Festival: Tales of the Mother Road

• July 18, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Gathering Place

Take a trip along Route 66 without leaving Tulsa! This festival is a fun, educational opportunity for all ages. Enjoy fascinating demonstrations and hands-on activities, as well as on-stage performances representing the magic of the Mother Road.  

Sapulpa’s Route 66 Blowout

• Sept. 12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Downtown Sapulpa

Celebrate the nostalgia of Route 66 with a fabulous car show, complete with entertainment for the entire family!

Centennial Route 66 Balloon Festival

• Sept. 23-27
• Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch, Arcadia

Enjoy five days of family friendly entertainment at the Parkhurst Ranch featuring over a dozen hot air balloons, kite shows, helicopter rides, tethered balloon rides, food truck and vendor’s market, art walk, live music and so much more.

Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Car Show

• Sept. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Tee Pee Drive-In, Sapulpa

From Art Deco landmarks and historic bridges to roadside icons like the Blue Whale, Route 66 in Oklahoma tells a story unlike anywhere else in the country. This Centennial Car Show honors that legacy while bringing the community together for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration.

Route 66 Centennial Celebration

• Nov. 11
• Downtown Tulsa

Route 66’s official birthday is November 11 – which is also Veterans Day. Head downtown to watch the Tulsa Veterans Day parade, and keep an eye out for information about Route 66 Centennial celebrations happening afterward.

Route 66 Celebrations Outside of Tulsa

Classic Cars A-Round the Barn

• April 11, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Arcadia Round Barn

Classic car show – entry is free, and you can take free tours of the Arcadia Round Barn off Route 66 as well. The barn hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Don’t forget to visit Pops 66 just down the street!

El Reno’s 38th Annual Famous Fried Onion Burger Day Festival

• May 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Historic Downtown El Reno

Get ready to take a bite out of history at Burger Day, where El Reno’s legendary fried onion burgers meet the iconic Mother Road. Set in the heart of Historic Downtown El Reno along Route 66, this one-day festival celebrates the flavors, stories, and roadside spirit that made America fall in love with the open road.

At the center of the celebration is an unforgettable Route 66–sized spectacle: the cooking and eating of the World’s Largest Fried Onion Burger.

Route 66 “Kickin’ It” Centennial Birthday Bash

• May 30, 6-10 p.m.
• Scissortail Park, Oklahoma City

As evening falls at Scissortail Park, the stage lights up with a powerhouse lineup of Oklahoma talent for the Centennial Concert—a musical celebration of Route 66’s 100-year legacy that will have the whole crowd singing along​.

Vinita Route 66 Centennial Celebration

• June 5-6
• Vinita, Oklahoma

Celebrate the Centennial at the oldest town on Route 66!  Experience Americana, history and quirky with a touch of western flair. Get your kicks and kick up your heels!

2026 Stroud Centennial SummerFest Celebration

• June 13, 4-10 p.m.
• Stroud, Oklahoma

The 2026 Stroud SummerFest is set to be one of the most memorable events in our town’s history as we proudly celebrate the Route 66 Centennial. For 100 years, Route 66 has represented freedom, travel, small-town charm, and the heart of America — and there’s no better place to honor that legacy than right here in Stroud. This year’s SummerFest will capture the nostalgia of the Mother Road while bringing together families, visitors, and businesses for a full day of celebration.