By Shyla Collier
Visitors can experience Route 66’s history, community, art and the natural beauty of Northern Arizona on June 6 for a full day of festivities for the iconic highway’s 100th anniversary in Flagstaff, Arizona. The mountain city is preparing for activities that highlight both the nostalgia of the “Mother Road” and the sustainable, outdoor lifestyle that defines Flagstaff today.
Known as the world’s first International Dark Sky City, Flagstaff is surrounded by the largest ponderosa pine forest on Earth. The city offers a place to honor one of America’s most legendary roadways with a refreshing escape from the desert heat. Discover Flagstaff has embraced the centennial with the tagline, “the only 7,000ft elevation, pine-fresh, dark-sky city on the Mother Road,” inviting visitors to rediscover Route 66 through a more mindful and immersive travel experience.
The city’s Route 66 Centennial Celebration on June 6 will transform downtown Flagstaff into a vibrant gathering space filled with interactive art, live music, dancing, classic cars and family-friendly activities. One of the event’s highlights will be large-scale street art installations designed to make the historic roadway seem to come alive under visitors’ feet.
The free celebration will coincide with the annual Hullabaloo Festival at Wheeler Park, encouraging locals and visitors alike to spend the day exploring downtown on foot. Evening festivities continue after 5 p.m. at Heritage Square with live music and an outdoor screening of Disney’s Cars as part of the city’s Movies on the Square series.
In keeping with modern sustainable tourism trends, Flagstaff has also launched a new digital Route 66 passport that educates visitors on how to explore local landmarks responsibly. Travelers can check in at historic Route 66 sites throughout the city to earn points redeemable for prizes at the Flagstaff Visitor Center, located along the original highway.
For those seeking a slower-paced experience, Discover Flagstaff’s self-guided “Walk This Talk” tour offers an easy half-mile walking route through 10 historic downtown locations, providing insight into how Route 66 shaped the city’s culture, economy and identity over the last century.
Several local organizations are also commemorating the centennial with exhibits and experiences surrounding Route 66 history in Northern Arizona.
At the Museum of Northern Arizona, the exhibition “Wagon Road to Mother Road” explores how the highway transformed travel and commerce across the region. The exhibit includes findings from archaeological work conducted near Petrified Forest National Park, showcasing stories of early road trips, campsites, and roadside culture from Route 66’s earliest days.
Lowell Observatory is offering a special “Cosmic Highways: A Centennial Tour,” where guests can view Percival Lowell’s historic 1911 Stevens-Duryea automobile before spending the evening under Flagstaff’s famously dark skies for telescope viewing and stargazing.
Local arts organization Theatrikos Theatre Company is presenting “Route 66 to the Grand Canyon,” a comedic production inspired by the legends and quirky charm of America’s most famous highway.
Visitors interested in local history can also explore the Southside neighborhood through walking tours hosted by Freaky Foot Tours, which trace both the 1926 and 1934 alignments of Route 66 through the city.
Beyond its four distinct seasons, a thriving local food and craft beer scene, the Grand Canyon National Park, and countless hiking and biking opportunities, Flagstaff has a strong commitment to preserving its natural environment. Flagstaff offers travelers a meaningful way to experience Route 66 beyond the traditional roadside stop.
Event Details
Event: Flagstaff Route 66 Centennial Celebration
Date and time: Saturday, June 6, 2026, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Downtown Flagstaff and the Flagstaff Mall
More information: Discover Flagstaff
