Learn more about the Upcoming Byway Centennial Celebration & the Illinois Route 66 Experience at the State Fairgrounds
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Featured Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Member
Springfield, IL
The 25th Annual International Route 66 Mother Road Festival rolls into historic downtown Springfield, Illinois, from September 25th to 27th, 2026. This year’s celebration coincides with the 100th anniversary of Route 66, drawing over 2,000 vintage cars and an expected 80,000 passionate spectators. The three-day event kicks off with the legendary Friday night "Route 66 City Nights Cruise for Crime Stoppers," creating a spectacular miles-long parade of hot rods and classic vehicles navigating the city's iconic streets. With live music stages, a Miss Mother Road contest, and a burnout competition, the festival offers an energetic dose of mid-century Americana nostalgia that is completely free for public spectators.
International Route 66 Mother Road Festival
Historic Downtown
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 553-5271
Events on Illinois Route 66
Events
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Route 66 Submerged: A Sunken Road. A Story Resurfaced.
Lake Springfield Marina 17 Waters Edge Blvd, Springfield, IL, United StatesStep aboard Route 66 SUBMERGED, a 45-minute interpretive boat tour on Lake Springfield that reveals a hidden chapter of America’s most iconic highway. Beneath the surface lies a stretch of Springfield’s original Route 66 alignment, submerged when Sugar Creek was dammed in 1933. Guided by local storytellers this immersive journey blends history, nature, and narrative—offering…
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Double Dose of Mary Lincoln with Best-Selling Author/Biographer Lois Romano
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum 212 N 6th St, Springfield, IL, United StatesSPRINGFIELD – The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will offer a double dose of Mary Lincoln on Oct. 1 when best-selling author Lois Romano discusses her Mary Lincoln biography in the afternoon at the Conference on Illinois History and then again for a general audience in the evening. Romano, a former columnist for The…
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Children’s Art Scavenger Hunt during Downtown Bloomington’s First Friday
Downtown Bloomington 115 E Washington St, Bloomington, IL, United StatesBLOOMINGTON, IL — Local artist galleries and studios will host a free Children’s Art Scavenger Hunt during Downtown Bloomington’s First Friday celebration on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Designed for children ages 4 through junior high, the event encourages young participants to explore participating downtown galleries and match specific art forms…
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2026 Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference to be held in Springfield for Centennial
Springfield, IL Springfield, IL, United StatesCelebrating 100 Years. Elevating the Possibilities! Save the Date: October 8-10, 2026, Click Here to Register! Get ready — the 2026 Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference is taking the…
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The Last 100 Miles Festival: A Celebration of the Mother Road in Illinois
Southwest Illinois Route 66 IL, United StatesThere's a party brewing in southwest Illinois. Plan a weekend of festival fun along The Last 100 Miles of Route 66 Oct. 9-10. Local communities are pulling out all the…