Springfield, Missouri, has been chosen to host the National Kickoff for the Route 66 Centennial. If you love cars, music, history, and big small-town energy, this is one you’ll want to attend.
Quick overview
Springfield will run Centennial Kickoff activities from April 30 to May 3, 2026. Included in the celebration will be a mix of public dedications, a major concert, a classic car parade and show, arts events, and ticketed gala events.
Key public elements include the Birthplace Plaza dedication, a downtown parade and First Friday Artwalk, a classic car show, and Artsfest over the weekend. The national Centennial Commission and the host-city programming are coordinating the schedule and partner events.
Event details
April 30, 2026
- Morning: NBC TODAY Show (third hour) live from Springfield (coverage begins around 8 a.m.). (springfieldmo.org)
- 4:00 p.m.: Birthplace Plaza dedication in downtown Springfield. (springfieldmo.org)
- Evening: National kickoff concert at Great Southern Bank Arena. Doors typically open in mid-afternoon for the concert. Ticket sales and official times are published by the arena. Expect headline acts and a multi-hour show featuring major country and Americana artists.
May 1, 2026
- 11:00 a.m.: Queen’s Gate 66 dedication.
- Late afternoon/evening: First Friday Artwalk (4:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.) and the National Route 66 Centennial Parade (6 p.m.) through historic districts.
May 2–3, 2026
- May 2: Classic Car Show on Historic C-Street (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.) and Jefferson Avenue footbridge dedication at 4 p.m.
Evening: the Telegraph Ball (ticketed gala) takes place at the historic Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque.
- May 2–3 also hosts Artsfest (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.). Some dedications and arts events are free; concert and gala events require tickets.
Headliners
The kickoff concert lineup includes headline talent from top country and Americana acts. Organizers have announced artists such as Little Big Town, Chris Janson, and other guest performers. Check the arena’s event page for final set times and ticket links.
Logistics and tips
- Expect big crowds downtown during parade and concert days. If you’ll be camping somewhere outside the city, plan to arrive early each day.
- Reserve a campground with easy shuttle or short-drive access to downtown.
- Downtown parking will be limited during major events.
- If you plan to tailgate near festival locations, confirm local rules (and remember quiet hours).
- Bring extra water, well-charged power banks, and earplugs. (Concerts and classic car festivities can be loud.)
- For real-time updates and any last-minute schedule changes, follow the official Centennial media pages and Visit Springfield’s event listings.
Campgrounds near Springfield
- Springfield/Route 66 KOA Holiday is a big-rig-friendly KOA with pull-through sites, 30/50 amp service, free Wi-Fi, a seasonal swimming pool, a camp store with on-site food options, playgrounds, and a KampK9 dog area. It’s an easy drive to downtown and major event venues, and it’s set up for folks who want on-site activities after a busy festival day. Reserve early. KOA is listed as a recommended local campground for the centennial. Phone: 1-417-831-3645.
- Cook’s RV Motor Park is a locally owned park inside Springfield offering a quieter, shady setting with full hookups, restrooms, laundry, and friendly local service. This is a good choice if you prefer a smaller park with a neighborhood feel and short drives into downtown. Phone/text: 417-833-1252.
- Rustic Meadows RV Park is just east of Springfield in Strafford. It features full 30/50 amp hook-ups, a seasonal pool, well-kept restrooms/showers, laundry, and a family-friendly recreation barn. It’s especially handy if you want quick access to both Springfield’s Route 66 attractions and nearby Branson-area day trips. Phone: 417-468-3644.
Tickets, parking, and more
Concert tickets and special-ticketed events (Telegraph Ball, some Artsfest components) sell separately; the concert venue lists ticket on-sale dates and parking fees.
If you’re traveling in a big rig, call the campground before you reserve to confirm site length and any special arrival instructions. Plan to reserve your campsite and event tickets as soon as possible. The centennial kickoff is a national event with limited nearby RV campgrounds.
Local must-dos while you’re in town
- Walk the Birthplace Plaza and the new signage downtown that commemorates the telegram that started Route 66.
- Time a photo stop at classic diners and neon signs along the original Mother Road in Springfield.
- Visit Springfield’s downtown museums and the Gillioz Theatre.
- If you’re planning a longer Route 66 run, use Springfield as your launch pad. The city has Route 66 maps and self-guided itineraries from the visitor center.
Suggested packing checklist
- Comfortable folding chairs and a compact shade canopy for daytime street events
- Ear protection for evening concerts and parades. It can get loud!
- Power strips, water jugs, and extra connectors for shore power
- Printed copies of camp/reservation confirmations and event tickets
- Masks and hand sanitizer
- A tank of propane, a spare tire and a basic tool kit (busy weekends mean fewer same-day services)
Do you plan to attend the National Kickoff for the Route 66 Centennial? Tell us in the comments below.
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RVT1249
We’ve been traversing Route 66 with a group of RVers starting in Santa Monica and there is a remarkable energy with the centennial. We are definitely getting our kicks!