Texas Route 66 Festival

Route 66, the road that shaped America, is turning 100 years old in 2026! The annual Texas Route 66 Festival will kick off years of celebrations starting in 2023 leading up to the centennial of Historic Route 66. This year's festival will be held June 1 - 10, 2023. The ten days are packed with events along the Texas route including classic car shows, Texas Route 66 bus tours, cattle drives, parades, music festivals, and a grand finale festival on Amarillo’s Route 66 Historic District. For a full list of upcoming events click the button below...

Texas Route 66 Festival Events

(June 1-10, 2023)

*Free Event

THURSDAY, JUNE 1

Coors Ranch Rodeo | Amarillo National Center
Since 1987, the Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo in Amarillo showcases the cowboy way of life. Real cowboys compete from working ranches.
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
*First Thursday on 6th | Historic Route 66 District | 4 PM - 7 PM
Celebrate Route 66 in Historic District on June 1st at First Thursday on 6th Avenue! Enjoy local art, music, shopping, and hidden gems of the road. Join us from 4 pm to 7 pm for a fun-filled evening!

JUNE 1-10

Texas Route 66 Bag Adventure
The Route 66 Association is hosting its annual Bag Adventure from June 1-10. Purchase your adventure bag for $10 at Alley Katz Antique Emporium, Aunt Eek's Books and Curiosities, Texas Ivy Antiques, or the Texas Route 66 Visitors Center. The adventure bag includes a stamp card that lists out participating "gift stops" along Historic Route 66 District. Collect stamps and a free gift at each gift stop listed on the stamp card for a day full of fun on Route 66.

FRIDAY, JUNE 2

Official Route 66 Kick-Off Celebration | Hodgetown | 4 PM
Join us on June 2nd for a one-of-a-kind celebration of Route 66! Block party, specialty food, auctioned jerseys, in-game promotions, and a spectacular firework show with themed music. Don't miss out!
*Free Block Party
PURCHASE GAME TICKETS HERE
Brett Young Live at the Starlight Ranch Event Center | 6 PM
Brett Young takes the stage at Starlight Ranch in Amarillo Texas!
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

SATURDAY, JUNE 3

*Amarillo Coors Cowboy Club Cattle Drive & Parade | Downtown Amarillo | 10 AM
Watch as 60 Texas Longhorns make their way through Downtown Amarillo. This exciting parade will also feature other motorized vehicles. Spectators are welcome to line up along the route and cheer on the cattle and riders as they make their way to the fairgrounds.
Amarillo Crawfish Festival | Starlight Ranch Event Center | 3 PM
Pinch, peel, eat, Repeat. Chow down on some freshly oiled Louisiana crawfish, food trucks from around the Panhandle, and cold beer! Come one, come all, this is a family-friendly event.
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

SUNDAY, JUNE 4

*Low Rider Cruise | Amarillo Boulevard - Flamingo's Restaurant to Route 66 Inn | 6 PM - 7:30 PM
Lowrider groups and classic car clubs are invited to come cruise along the original strip of Route 66. This is a free open-call/come-and-go event from the Autozone Parking lot to Route 66 Inn.
Toast & Jams | Starlight Ranch Event Center | 10 AM - 2 PM
Get ready for the ultimate Sunday morning experience! Our upcoming event has everything you need for a perfect start to your weekend. Wake up to the sweet sounds of live music and enjoy delicious brunch items from the best food trucks. Take a break from the food and enjoy a little shopping, with a variety of vendors offering unique items for purchase.

MONDAY, JUNE 5

Amarillo Film Society presents Route 66: A Journey Through Texas | Goldenlight Cafe & Cantina | 6 PM
Join the Amarillo Film Society for their inaugural event. Watch a 1999 Documentary produced by KACV TV/ Panhandle PBS. Doors at 6 PM, the film begins at 7 PM. Free admission. Food and beverage are available for purchase.

TUESDAY, JUNE 6

*Ruth Ellen & Jazz Plus in Concert | Sam Houston Park | 7 PM - 9 PM
Amarillo's very own Ruth Ellen Lynch and Jazz Plus will be making their debut at Starlight Theater in Sam Houston Park, located at Western & Line. The free show is open to all ages, including your furry friends.
*Jim Laughlin June Jazz Series | Amarillo College Washington St. Campus | 7:30 PM
We are excited to announce that the first concert of June Jazz on June 6th will be a part of the Texas Route 66 Festival! Come celebrate with us as we kick off the season with the iconic sounds of Route 66. The band playing that day is The Martinis with Chuck Alexander, and they are sure to get you grooving to the beat.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7

Route 66 Bus Tour - East | Groom, Jericho, McLean, Shamrock | 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Take a fascinating journey through Route 66's rich history and culture with our Texas Route 66 East tour! This exclusive bus tour will take you from Amarillo, TX to Shamrock, TX, stopping at all the iconic landmarks and hotspots that have shaped the history and culture of this legendary road. Lunch and beverages are provided with ticket purchases.
Buses will depart from the Bivins House (1000 S. Polk St. Amarillo, TX 79101) at 8:30 a.m. sharp.
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
*High Noon on the Square | Potter County Courthouse Lawn | 12 PM
Join us for High Noon on the Square - a beloved Amarillo Tradition, and now part of the Texas Route 66 Festival! Enjoy free concerts and lunch on June 7 at Potter County Courthouse. Lunch tickets available on-site for $10. More info at centercity.org.
*Texas Route 66 Visitor Center Event | Texas Route 66 Visitors Center | 6PM
Enjoy live music by Danny Freeze and the Earthlings, food trucks Kobe's Grill and Cheesecake HSTL, and more at the Texas Route 66 Visitors Center.

THURSDAY, JUNE 8

Route 66 Bus Tour - West | Vega, Adrian, Glenrio | 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Join us for an exciting tour of the iconic landmarks and cultural gems of Route 66. This bus tour will take you on a journey from Amarillo, TX to Glenrio, NM, stopping at famous hotspots such as the historic Midpoint Cafe, Dot's Mini Museum, and the renowned Cadillac Ranch. Lunch and beverages are provided with ticket purchases.

Buses will depart from the Bivins House (1000 S. Polk St. Amarillo, TX 79101) at 9:30 a.m. sharp.
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
The Green Book: The Untold Story of Route 66 featuring Candacy Taylor | Amarillo College Concert Hall | 7 PM - 9 PM | Doors open at 6:30 PM
Join Candacy Taylor for a lively gathering filled with captivating stories and fascinating insights. The Green Book, a historic travel guide for African Americans during times of segregation, will be the centerpiece of discussion.

Candacy's research takes you on an adventure, uncovering the journeys of African American travelers and the resilience of Black-owned businesses. Get ready to be inspired and amazed as she celebrates the power of untold narratives. This talk is a thrilling tribute to the Green Book's legacy and its enduring significance in history. So, buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable ride with Candacy Taylor. The Green Book talk isn't just an intellectual journey—it's a rip-roaring adventure filled with inspiration and a deep appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit.

Doors open at 6:30 PM. Event runs from 7 PM - 9 PM.
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

FRIDAY, JUNE 9

Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition | Amarillo Arts on the Sunset
Experience Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel in Texas! This exhibit showcases 34 frescoes using licensed high-definition photos at Arts in the Sunset, Amarillo. Open from June 9 to July 23. Don't miss this unique opportunity!
PURHCASE TICKETS HERE

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

*Amarillo Community Market | Downtown Polk Street | 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Route 66 enthusiasts, don't miss the Amarillo Community Market, starting on June 10th! Discover local artisans, growers, and bakers every Saturday until September 9th at the Historic Bivins Mansion, with live music and unique goods. Apply to be a vendor at amarillocommunitymarket.com.
Starlight Ranch Concert | Starlight Ranch Event Center
Event details coming soon
*Summer Free for All | Sam Houston Park | 5 PM
Join Amarillo Parks & Recreation for the 2023 Summer Free For All on June 10th! Enjoy carnival games, food trucks, music, and more - all for free! There will be free trolleys running from the Summer Free for All to Amarillo National Bank's Route 66 Celebration.
*Amarillo National Bank’s Route 66 Celebration | Route 66 Historic District (6th Ave.) | 11 AM - 7 PM
Join us for the Amarillo National Bank Route 66 Celebration on June 10th in the Route 66 Historic District!
Attendees can expect a wide range of attractions, including vendor booths, food options, live music, Elvis impersonators, Miss Texas Route 66 Pinup Pageant, kids' activities, corn dog eating contests, a car show, and much more. Admission is free for all attendees. Schedule coming soon.
- PARKING & BUSING INFORMATION: Additional parking will be available at Grace Community Church. Free buses will run from the church parking lot in 15-minute intervals from 10:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.
- Free buses to and from the Summer Free for All event at Sam Houston Park will run from 4:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. in 15-minute intervals.