On November 11, 1926 - US Highway 66 was established. In 2026, the road turns 100 - and big celebrations are in the works!
The Association is preparing for the upcoming Centennial by offering grants for beautification, revitalization, and enhancements to Historic Route 66 businesses and communities throughout Arizona! These grants will be awarded now and leading up to the centennial. Preparing Route 66 in Arizona to be the best version of itself for an influx of visitors is a priority. Please consider investing in your business or community. More information can be found on our Grants page.
Other initiatives include a Arizona Route 66 Passport spinoff, which will be a seasonless activity for travelers visiting Arizona.
Additionally, we are a member of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, a group that is working on a variety of Route 66 projects from a national perspective. The Historic Route 66 Association is proud to be included in this group, which includes representation from all eight states on Route 66.
Additionally, there is a federal U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission which is meeting regularly and working on plans at a national level.
Events and Celebrations
A frequent question we hear is: when are you celebrating the Centennial in 2026? Well, that IS the big question! Arizona's stretch of Historic Route 66 has mild winters- so celebrations will be going all year long! Many communities along Route 66 will heavily incorporate the Centennial into existing annual celebrations.
The Association of course will be celebrating the Centennial with a big Route 66 Fun Run May 1-3, 2026!
Below is a list of existing annual Arizona Route 66-focused events in each community and the month they typically occur. This should provide a general idea of what will be going on in Arizona throughout the year. We’ll update this with more information as it comes in!
For full event information, please click here!
