Route 66 Centennial
Oklahoma Events 2026
From the Blue Whale Festival to OKC's Centennial Celebration — five unforgettable events across Oklahoma's 432 miles of Route 66.
5
Events
5
Cities
4
Free Events
JUN
13
Blue Whale Festival
Annual celebration at the Blue Whale of Catoosa — one of Route 66's most iconic landmarks. Two days of live music, food vendors serving Oklahoma BBQ and Native American fry bread, classic car displays with over 100 vintage vehicles, and family activities including face painting, a Route 66 scavenger hunt, and guided talks about Hugh Davis's creation. The Blue Whale swimming pond is open for the event, and local artists sell handmade Route 66 crafts.
What to Expect
AUG
14
International Route 66 Mother Road Festival
Tulsa's premier Route 66 festival transforms the Blue Dome District into three days of Mother Road celebration. Classic car cruises down the original Route 66 alignment, motorcycle rallies, live concerts featuring Red Dirt country and Americana acts, and guided walking tours of Tulsa's Art Deco district. The Art Deco Museum hosts special Centennial exhibits, and the Gathering Place hosts family-friendly activities. Food trucks line the Blue Dome streets with Oklahoma's best eats.
What to Expect
MAY
02
El Reno Fried Onion Burger Day
El Reno celebrates its title as the Onion Burger Capital of the World with this legendary annual festival. Watch the cooking of the world's largest fried onion burger — a 750-pound behemoth grilled on a custom flat-top. Sid's Diner and Robert's Grill open their doors for all-day service, live music fills downtown, and a classic car show lines the streets. Free samples of the giant burger are served to the crowd.
What to Expect
NOV
07
Route 66 Centennial Celebration — Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City hosts a massive five-day celebration for Route 66's 100th anniversary. Classic car shows with over 300 vehicles line Automobile Alley, live music on four stages features Oklahoma artists from Red Dirt country to blues, food trucks serve the best of OKC's culinary scene, and guided tours trace the original Route 66 alignment through the capital city. A special ceremony at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton kicks off the festivities, with a centennial motorcade driving from Clinton to OKC.
What to Expect
SEP
19
POPS Soda Fest & Route 66 Car Show
POPS 66 Soda Ranch hosts a weekend celebration pairing over 700 varieties of soda with a massive Route 66 car show. Vintage vehicles from across Oklahoma and neighboring states fill the parking lot beneath the iconic 66-foot neon soda bottle. Soda tasting competitions, live rockabilly music, a Round Barn tour next door, and food specials from the POPS kitchen make this a perfect Route 66 weekend stop.
What to Expect
Plan Your Visit
Book Early
Book accommodations 3–6 months ahead for the November Centennial. Oklahoma City and Tulsa have the most hotel options along Route 66.
Drive the Route
Consider driving the full Oklahoma Route 66 (432 miles) during event weekends — many towns host their own mini-celebrations.
Budget-Friendly
4 of 5 events are completely free. Budget $20–50 for food, sodas at POPS, and Route 66 souvenirs.
Beat the Heat
Oklahoma summers regularly exceed 100°F. The August Tulsa festival and September POPS Soda Fest can be hot — bring water, sunscreen, and a hat.