ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Route 66 Casino Hotel is inviting the public to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Historic Route 66 with a weekend of events highlighting the highway’s impact on New Mexico and communities across the country.
The centennial celebration runs July 31 through Aug. 2 and will feature a monument dedication, community time capsule ceremony, classic car show, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities.
The weekend’s signature event is the Route 66 Centennial Monument Dedication and Time Capsule Ceremony, scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday, July 31, at Route 66 Casino Hotel.
Organizers say the permanent monument will honor the legacy of Route 66 and its role in connecting communities from Chicago to Santa Monica over the past century. Community leaders, special guests, and centennial honorees are expected to participate in the event, which will also include the sealing of a time capsule containing artifacts, stories, and memories from 2026.
The ceremony will also recognize individuals celebrating their 100th birthdays during Route 66’s centennial year.
“The Route 66 Centennial is more than a celebration of a highway—it’s a celebration of the people, communities, and stories that have defined the American journey for the last 100 years,” Route 66 Casino Hotel leadership said in a statement.
The celebration continues on Saturday, Aug. 1, with the Route 66 Centennial 5K Run and 3K Walk. Registration begins at 6 a.m., with the event starting at 7 a.m.
Also beginning Saturday is the Centennial Route 66 Car Show, a two-day event featuring hundreds of classic, custom, and hot rod vehicles. Organizers say more than 200 awards will be presented across 65 judged classes.
The entertainment lineup includes Rock & Roll Hall of Fame group The O’Jays, who will perform on July 31 at Legends Theater, followed by comedian and former late-night television host Jay Leno on Aug. 1.
Organizers say the weekend is intended to recognize Route 66’s historic role as a transportation corridor that has shaped commerce, tourism, and culture throughout New Mexico and the American Southwest.
