Amarillo Celebrates the Texas Route 66 Festival

Are you ready to celebrate the heart of the road, Route 66?

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The stretch of highway known as Route 66, it's the road that shaped America is about to celebrate its Centennial Birthday. As the country gears up to celebrate 100 years in 2026, Texas is starting early with the Texas Route 66 Festival, and of course, since Route 66 is in the best part of Texas and Amarillo is right on that road, then we are going BIG and celebrating for 10 days straight.

Get ready for some amazing events, music, celebration, and learning about Route 66. Are you ready to celebrate?

Thursday, June 1st

Coors Ranch Rodeo- Amarillo National Center - Must purchase tickets

The Coors Ranch Rodeo has been happening since 1987. The rodeo is June 1-3.

First Thursday on 6th - 4 -7 pm - Historic Rt. 66 - Free event
Enjoy local art, music, shopping, and hidden gems on the road.

Friday, June 2nd

Official Route 66 Kick-Off Celebration - Hodgetown - 4 pm
Get ready to celebrate with a block party, specialty food, auctioned jerseys, in-game promotions, and a spectacular firework show with themed music. Don't miss out!

Credit: John Moore

Block Pary is Free - Tickets Must be purchased for the Sod Poodle Game.

Brett Young - Starlight Ranch Event Center- 6 pm - Must purchase tickets

Getty Images

Saturday, June 3rd

The Coors Cowboy Club Cattle Drive and Parade - Downtown Amarillo - 10 am - Free event

Michael Rivera/TSM

The cattle drive returns on a different date with other fun happenings. Enjoy watching over 60 Texas Longhorns make their way downtown. It's also a parade so enjoy more than just the cattle.

Amarillo Crawfish Festival - Starlight Ranch Event Center - 3 pm -Must purchase tickets
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.

Sunday, June 4th

Low Rider Cruise - Amarillo Boulevard - 6 - 7:30 pm - Free Event

Join in for this awesome cruise from Flamingo's Restaurant to Route 66 Inn
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
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 5th

Amarillo Film Society presents Route 66: A Journey Through Texas - Goldenlight Cafe & Cantina - 6 pm - Free Event, Food, and beverages at an additional cost

Watch a 1999 Documentary produced by KACV TV/ Panhandle PBS. Doors at 6 PM, the film begins at 7 PM.

Tuesday, June 6th

Ruth Ellen & Jazz Plus in Concert- Sam Houston Park - 7 - 9 pm - Free event
Ruth Ellen Lynch and Jazz Plus will be making their debut at Starlight Theater in Sam Houston Park, located at Western & Line.

Jim Laughlin June Jazz Series - Amarillo College Washington St. Campus - 7:30 pm - Free Event
The first concert of June Jazz! Come kick off the season with the iconic sounds of Route 66. Enjoy jazz from the Martinis with Chuck Alexander.

Wednesday, June 7th

Route 66 Bus Tour - 8:30 am - 5 pm - Must Purchase Tickets

Photo Courtesy: Joannie Kling

This tour will focus on East Route 66 including Groom, Jericho, McLean, and Shamrock
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.

High Noon on the Square - Potter County Courthouse Lawn - 12 Noon
Enjoy live music 7 at Potter County Courthouse. Lunch is $10.

Texas Route 66 Visitor Center Event - Texas Route 66 Visitors Center - 6 pm-Free event
The visitor center is celebrating Route 66 with live music, food trucks, and more.

Thursday, June 6th

Route 66 Bus Tour 8:30 am - 5:30 am - Must purchase tickets

Lori Crofford/Sarah Clark

This tour will focus on Route 66 West including, - Vega, Adrian, and Glenrio
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.

The Green Book: The Untold Story of Route 66 featuring Candacy Taylor - Amarillo College Concert Hall - 7 - 9 pm, Doors open at 6:30 PM - Must purchase tickets.

Discover the untold story of Route 66 in a thought-provoking lecture by Candacy Taylor, acclaimed author and culture documentarian, on the Negro Motorist Green Book and Sundown Towns. Join us for a rare opportunity to learn from one of the leading voices on this important topic!

Friday, June 9th

Route 66 Bus Tour Amarillo/Canyon - 9:30 am - Must purchase tickets

credit: Route 66 Amarillo Texas Facebook Page

Explore Amarillo's Route 66's historic district and learn about Western culture and other exciting stops in both Amarillo and Canyon, TX. 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.

Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition - Amarillo Arts on the Sunset - Must purchase tickets
Experience Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel in Texas! This exhibit showcases 34 frescoes using licensed high-definition photos at Arts in the Sunset, Amarillo.

Saturday, June 10th

Amarillo Community Market - Downtown Polk Street - 8:30 am - Noon- Free to attend

Lori Crofford

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

Starlight Ranch Concert - Starlight Ranch Event Center
Artist TBD

Summer Free for All - Sam Houston Park - 5 pm - Free event
Amarillo Parks & Recreation for the 2023 Summer Free For All. Enjoy carnival games, food trucks, music, and more - all for free!

Amarillo National Bank’s Route 66 Celebration - Route 66 Historic District (6th Ave.) - 11 am - 7 pm - Free admission
Enjoy 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.

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 pm to 7:15 pm. in 15-minute intervals.

Whew! That sounds like a lot of fun. Are you ready? Let's celebrate Route 66.

Look at How Amarillo's Old Route 66 Motels Looked Then & Now

The heyday of the Mother Road may be long gone, but would you believe that there's still plenty of the old motels where many a weary American family rested their heads during their interstate travels?

You won't believe some of these are still standing, much less still alive and (wait for it..) kickin'!

Sixth Street Over The Years - WOW! What A Change!

Sixth Street in Amarillo looked incredibly different not too long ago. Have you forgotten what it looked like in 2007? Buckle up, the ride is incredible.

Ranchotel: The Forgotten Landmark of Old Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas

The Ranchotel, located at 2501 W. 6th St., is a product of Route 66's heyday.

When Americans first began long-distance automotive travel, they typically stayed in hotels or camped beside the road. In response, clever entrepreneurs began to build what were called tourist courts. The Ranchotel is one of these.

It was built in 1940 and until recently, it was considered one of the best preserved examples of Route 66's tourist facilities. It was placed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1995 and was well maintained until 2020.

Even now, in spite of the building's fading beauty, there is still the nostalgic air held by many a historic landmark.