There are few roads in America quite as iconic as Route 66. Stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica, the legendary highway has been immortalized in movies, music, literature, and countless cross-country road trips.
And in 2026, Route 66 officially turns 100 years old.
The highway was commissioned on November 11, 1926, and Southern California is getting in on the centennial celebrations with a packed lineup of events this fall. From Victorville to San Bernardino, you can expect vintage cars, live entertainment, local food, history, and plenty of opportunities to get your kicks on Route 66.
Here are some of the best Route 66 Centennial events happening in Southern California this fall.
Route 66 100th Anniversary Car Show & Block Party
đź“… September 12, 2026
đź“Ť Old Town Victorville
⏰ 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
đź’° Free
Kick off the fall celebrations in Victorville with a giant Route 66 birthday party.
The city is taking over 7th Street in Old Town Victorville for its Route 66 100th Anniversary Car Show & Block Party, featuring classic cars, live music, food vendors, art and history displays, and family-friendly activities.
There will also be some wonderfully old-school entertainment, including a ’50s, ’60s and ’70s-themed costume contest and dance competition.
And because no road-trip celebration is complete without a little extra chaos, the event will even include a doggie fashion show featuring adoptable pets from Victorville’s Animal Care & Adoption Center.
The event is free to attend, making it an easy way to celebrate the Mother Road without spending a fortune.
Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion
📅 September 18–19, 2026
đź“Ť Historic Euclid Avenue, Ontario
If your idea of Route 66 heaven involves hundreds of gleaming classic cars, this is the event for you.
The 13th annual Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion is returning to Ontario’s historic Euclid Avenue for two days of cruising, cars, food, entertainment, and Route 66 nostalgia.
This year’s celebration is expected to feature more than 1,000 classic cars, ranging from Model Ts and Woodies to hot rods and custom builds. The event will stretch across more than 22 square blocks of downtown Ontario.
There will also be free evening concerts, with the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies performing on Friday and Lou Gramm taking the stage on Saturday.
There’s even a Route 66-themed Breakfast & Poker Run happening on September 18, giving visitors another way to explore the historic corridor.
Mt. Vernon Bridge Route 66 Celebration
đź“… September 26, 2026
đź“Ť Mt. Vernon Bridge, San Bernardino
⏰ 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
San Bernardino is going all-in on its Route 66 Centennial celebrations, and this September event will highlight one of the city’s most recognizable pieces of Mother Road history.
The city will celebrate the one-year anniversary of the reopening of the historic Mt. Vernon Bridge, an important milestone in preserving the Route 66 corridor.
The event will focus on the bridge’s transportation history and its connection to Route 66 as San Bernardino continues its year-long centennial celebration.
Main Street USA Centennial Festival
📅 October 9–10, 2026
đź“Ť Downtown Barstow
đź’° Free
Next up, head into the Mojave Desert for a weekend celebrating Route 66 in one of California’s most recognizable Mother Road towns.
Barstow’s Main Street USA Centennial Festival will take over downtown on October 9 and 10 with a lineup of classic cars, live entertainment, local food, vendors, art, culture, and family-friendly activities.
Friday’s festivities will include the National Miss Route 66 Pageant, while Saturday will bring a classic and modern car show alongside live music and other celebrations.
While you’re in town, make time to explore the historic Route 66 corridor and stop by the Route 66 Mother Road Museum inside Barstow’s historic Harvey House.
Rendezvous Back To Route 66
đź“… October 10, 2026
đź“Ť Downtown San Bernardino
⏰ 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
San Bernardino is bringing out the big guns for its Route 66 Centennial.
The annual Rendezvous Back to Route 66 Car Show is expected to bring more than 1,200 classic vehicles to downtown San Bernardino, alongside live entertainment, food vendors, and thousands of spectators. The city says this year’s centennial edition is expected to be the biggest yet.
For car lovers, this is one of the biggest events to put on your fall calendar.
And San Bernardino has plenty of Route 66 history to explore while you’re there. The city’s Route 66 landmarks include the historic Wigwam Motel and the Historic Original McDonald’s Museum.
Route 66 Centennial Celebration Film
đź“… October 23, 2026
đź“Ť California Theatre of the Performing Arts, San Bernardino
Prefer your Route 66 history on the big screen?
The California Theatre of the Performing Arts will host a special screening on October 23 celebrating 100 years of the Mother Road.
The screening is part of a larger roadshow for the documentary Route 66: The Main Street of America, which explores the people, communities, and stories keeping the historic highway alive.
It’s a fitting way to celebrate the history of a road that’s become so much more than a highway.
Plan your Route 66 road trip
The best part about celebrating Route 66 in Southern California is that you don’t have to choose just one event.
The California Route 66 Museum in Victorville is a natural starting point, while the Cucamonga Service Station in Rancho Cucamonga offers another preserved piece of roadside history. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of places to stop and soak up the Mother Road’s history.
Because Route 66 may have been officially decommissioned decades ago, but its spirit is clearly still cruising along Southern California.
Get your kicks while you can — Route 66 only turns 100 once.
