Santa Fe Railyard pays homage to Route 66 with centennial festival

The Santa Fe Railyard is celebrating the streets rather than the rails with its Route 66 Centennial Celebration.

Historic Route 66 is turning 100 in 2026 and events are happening all along the Mother Road, including in Santa Fe from Friday, Oct. 10, through Sunday, Oct. 12.

Victor Macias, director of events and marketing at Santa Fe Railyard, said that the celebration stands out because of the city’s unique culture. Macias is originally from Chicago, and said he saw a different Route 66 culture in the Windy City, where the road starts.

The three-day event will showcase local culture with events including Native American dancers, a lowrider car show and more.

The celebration starts Friday, Oct. 10, with a fundraiser in support of the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market Institute. There is a suggested donation of $10. On Saturday, Oct. 11, the Route 66 Centennial Festival will feature local food and vendors, along with live music performances. The Santa Fe Vintage Car Club will be on hand Sunday, Oct. 12, with the Route 66 Centennial Festival Car Show.

Aside from the local culture and history of Santa Fe, the event wanted to focus on supporting local businesses and vendors, Macias said.

“Not only do you have the actual festival on the plaza here, but you also have different businesses to go visit,” Macias said.

“You’re not really just here for the car show, but you can be here for the car show and then go catch a movie at Sky Cinemas,” Macias said. “Or you can watch the car show and after that’s done, you can go right over and get some dinner at Second Street Brewery.”

He said that the railyard likes “to have events here so that the residents and the community can come and enjoy it,” which is why they wanted to host a centennial celebration.

In addition, Macias said they wanted to kick off centennial celebrations early to get the buzz started around Route 66.

“I think a lot of people forget about Route 66 with today’s technology and everything,” Macias said, “not knowing that a lot of people traveled on that road just to get out here (and) start their lives.”