Celebrate the Route 66 Centennial at Route 66 Summerfest

Get your kicks on Albuquerque’s Route 66 this summer! We are celebrating the Route 66 Centennial all 2026, and Route 66 Summerfest is turning up the heat on America's Main Street this July in historic Nob Hill, right on the road. Book your trip today for the event of the century!

Crowds at Route 66 Summer Fest. Photo courtesy: Eric Williams.

One of Albuquerque’s signature events, Route 66 Summerfest 2026 will take place in Nob Hill on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 5-10 p.m. Route 66 Summerfest is a free annual street festival that stretches for more than a mile along Central Avenue. Route 66 Summerfest brings the community together to honor every era of the iconic highway, while showcasing Albuquerque's vibrant music scene, local breweries and wineries, fresh food, vintage cars, local artisans and plenty of fun for all ages. The Kids' Zone includes interactive games, play areas and face painting.

Route 66 Summerfest 2026's theme is all about a century of culture on the move, changing from decade to decade. Albuquerque welcomes yacht-rock outfit from Las Vegas, Nevada, The Docksiders, as the centennial year's Summerfest main stage headliner, bringing you smooth jams from the 1970s. The Docksiders will be supported by The Dezert Penguinz and Just Velvet. The Wellesley Stage brings together performers with a 1960s-1980s flair: Drive-In Delinquents, Time Travelers and Big Suitcase. The New Mexico Jazz Festival Stage will feature a lineup of 1940s-1950s-inspired artists. The East Stage will throw it way back to the 1920s-1930s, with hard-hitting jazz performances from Entourage Jazz, Le Chat Lunatique and Burque Jazz Bandits.

Concert at Route 66 Summer Fest. Photo courtesy: Eric Williams.

With this much excitement, you might want to spend the night in a classic Route 66 motel before hitting the road again. With Summerfest as your gateway, here's a weekend trip to consider this July — or any time of year driving through sunny Albuquerque.

One Weekend on Albuquerque’s Route 66

Day 1

Duran Central Pharmacy's dining room and bar. Photo courtesy: Richardzx on Flickr.

Rise and shine! With so many retro diners along Central Avenue, there is no shortage of great breakfast on Albuquerque’s Route 66. Duran's Central Pharmacy will satisfy your New Mexican culinary cravings. Get started on your souvenir shopping at their expansive gift shop and take home some jars of red and green chile.

Take a quick drive to El Vado Motel, one of Albuquerque’s first drive-up motor lodges (c. 1937) that now includes a central courtyard, taproom, lounge, restaurants and retail shops.

El Vado Motel's neon sign lit up at night. Photo courtesy: New Mexico Tourism Department.

There are plenty of options for outdoor adventures where the Rio Grande intersects Route 66. Explore the Paseo del Bosque Trail to experience the unique ecology of the storied river or bike down to Tingley Beach. Near El Vado, visit the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden to witness the high desert in full bloom.

Dip and sip at ARRIVE Albuquerque, a restored 1960s International-style hotel at the corner of Route 66 and 8th Street. ARRIVE’s in-house restaurant DWTNR (pronounced “Downtowner”) serves everything from brunch to shareable tapas with a sparkling array of cocktails to enjoy at the poolside.

ARRIVE Albuquerque in the historic Downtowner Motor Inn. Photo courtesy: ARRIVE for Travel + Leisure.

From ARRIVE, take a trip to historic Old Town, the original town site of Alburquerque (with the added "r"!), founded by Spanish settlers in 1706. Visit the historic San Felipe de Neri Church and unwind at the plaza. The neighborhood is home to numerous art galleries, shops and museums rich with culture and creativity from all over the world. Take a stroll through the Albuquerque Museum for insight into the region’s rich artistic legacy.

Two women watch baile folklórico dancers in the Old Town Plaza.

Break for milkshakes at 66 Diner, a remodeled gas and service station that is now a restaurant and soda fountain. Vibrant neon adorns the white stucco walls and an impressive collection of Route 66 kitsch decorates the dining room. Before you leave, snap a pic with their iconic array of vintage road signage.

A family poses in front of 66 Diner's iconic vintage sign wall. Photo courtesy: New Mexico Tourism Department.

Day 2

Frontier Restaurant at night. Photo courtesy of Ian Beckley.

If you seek local flavor and Southwestern kitsch, look no further than Frontier. Family-owned since 1971, Frontier has served the university student body and locals of all ages with their reliably delicious plates.

Nob Hill has a high concentration of vintage shops and record stores. Check off your thrifty bucket list at Vintage Vault, Octopus Banana, Antiques & Things and Avengers Vintage, all in the span of a couple blocks! For lovers of hi-fidelity sound, take a pit stop at Nob Hill Music and Longhair Records. Happy crate-digging!

As the evening sky transforms the Sandia Mountains into their signature shade of pink and the lights turn on down Route 66, relish in the neon oasis. Collect these iconic signs for your photo album: De Anza Motor Lodge, the Hiland Theater, People’s Flower Shop, Nob Hill Business Center and the Lobo Theatre.

De Anza Motor Lodge sign illuminated at night.

Dine at M'Tucci's Bar Roma, a luxurious Italian dining experience in the heart of Albuquerque’s Nob Hill neighborhood in an original Art Deco gas and service station. Shhh– sneak around the corner and escape into a Route 66 speakeasy, Zema Vinyl Lounge at Hotel Zazz, an authentic Route 66 motel reimagined as a polychrome paradise.

M'Tucci's Bar Roma illuminated at sunset. Photo courtesy: New Mexico Tourism Department.

Have your night on the town in downtown Albuquerque, where the 19th-century railroads cross the 20th-century Route 66. The iconic KiMo Theatre, a unique Pueblo Deco building in the heart of Albuquerque’s Route 66, begs to be photographed. After your photo-op, enjoy a refreshment at Ex Novo Brewing Company and watch the Sunday night lowrider cruise.

KiMo Theatre at night. Photo courtesy: New Mexico Tourism Department.

Whether you are entering or exiting Albuquerque from the west, pull over at Nine Mile Hill on Route 66 to witness the city’s entirety with a panoramic mountain view. The steep, sandy incline on the edge of the city has a deep automobile history, where even the king of Rock ’n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, pulled over his pink Cadillac at Nine Mile Hill at night to admire the city lights of Albuquerque.

Nine Mile Hill at night. Photo courtesy: Dominic Valdez.