ILLINOIS ROUTE 66 CENTENNIAL OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Illinois Route 66 Centennial Gala, Conference & Celebration
Purchase Centennial Celebration Concert Tickets Here
Purchase Gala Tickets Here (coming soon)
Purchase Conference Tickets Here (coming soon)
Upcoming 2026 Route 66 Centennial Events!
Click on images below for details. For additional events on Illinois Route 66 in 2026, click on our Events Page.
PRESS RELEASE from May 13th, 2026
STARSHIP Featuring Mickey Thomas to Headline Route 66 Centennial Celebration in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Legendary rock band STARSHIP Featuring Mickey Thomas will headline The Route 66 Centennial Celebration on November 11, 2026, at Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Complex in Springfield, Illinois.
As part of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Statewide Conference and Route 66 Centennial Celebration, the day will culminate in an electrifying evening concert inside the Motordome, bringing high-energy, arena-level rock to the heart of the Mother Road’s 100th anniversary.
“This is an extraordinary occasion, and we’re excited to bring together the Route 66 community to celebrate the 100-year history of the Mother Road, recognize its champions, and share its enduring legacy with the world,” said Casey Claypool, Executive Director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.
“Having STARSHIP Featuring Mickey Thomas take the stage at our Route 66 Centennial Celebration brings a level of prestige and musical legacy that truly matches the significance of 100 years of Route 66. This is the kind of iconic performance that transforms the occasion into something momentous.”
STARSHIP Featuring Mickey Thomas has defined generations of rock music with chart-topping hits including “We Built This City,” “Sara,” and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” Known for its iconic sound and powerful live performances, the band will deliver a landmark show befitting the Route 66 centennial.
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Statewide Conference will be held from 8am to 3pm at Motorheads, bringing together Route 66 leaders, tourism professionals, and community stakeholders. Sessions will focus on preservation, economic development, and the future of the Mother Road. Tickets are $75 for Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway members and $125 for nonmembers and will go on sale in early June.
The Route 66 Centennial Celebration begins at 6pm and features STARSHIP Featuring Mickey Thomas, along with food, and festivities. Tickets are $150 per person and space is limited. Tickets are available to the public today at 10am.
For updates and additional event details, please visit the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway event page.
“Main Street of America” Route 66 Centennial Caravan
“Main Street of America” Route 66 Centennial Caravan – bringing people together across 2,448 miles of the most famous road in the world. From California to Illinois on the Mother Road!
The complete tour is Friday, June 5th, 2026 – Wednesday, June 24th, 2026. The Illinois portion of the caravan is June 23rd & 24th, 2026.
The Main Street of America Route 66 Centennial Caravan, organized by the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, provides an opportunity to highlight preservation success stories in all eight states that make up the Mother Road.
A core caravan of ten to twelve cars will be making the journey across the Mother Road, passing through many towns along Historic Route 66. This national parade can be joined at any time! A more detailed itinerary will be published closer to the event. The Illinois portion of the caravan is June 23rd & 24th, 2026. For more updates: https://www.route66caravan.com/.
Route 66 Centennial in the News
- Official Route 66 Centennial Bumper Stickers Now Available Nationwide
- S&H Green Stamps Launches Official Route 66 Centennial Celebration Project
- Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Announces Statewide Conference & Epic Route 66 Centennial Celebration
- VisitBN Unveils Special Centennial-Themed Events Honoring 100 Years of Illinois Route 66
- Sky Elements Statewide 2026 Route 66 Centennial Drone Light Shows Announced
- “The Great American Road Trip” Designated an Official Centennial Project
- 2026 Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference to be held in Springfield for Centennial
- Joliet Slammers Baseball Team to Play Historic Exhibition at Old Joliet Prison in Honor of Route 66 Centennial
- Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville SIUE 66ers Sports Teams are Celebrating the Route 66 Centennial
- Detroit Auto Show Route 66 Exhibition Designated Official Centennial Project
- Rand McNally Named Official Map Provider for Route 66 Centennial Celebration
- “Rediscovering Route 66 – One Miniature Mile at a Time” Project Designated an Official Centennial Initiative
- Illinois State Museum Makes Public 100 Oral Histories About Route 66
- Google Arts & Culture Route 66 Storytelling Hub designated an official Route 66 Centennial Project
- U.S. Postal Service Provides Sneak Peek at 2026 Stamps: Celebrating 100 Years of Route 66
- Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Unveils Exclusive Commemorative Centennial Coin Set
- U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission Searching for Coca-Cola “Ghost Signs” in every Route 66 State
- Native American Travel App–Route 66 Map Initiative Designated Official Route 66 Centennial Project
- Route 66 Centennial Announces Partnership with Only In Your State