The Route 66 Centennial Caravan Is Coming to the Santa Fe Plaza

Join the New Mexico History Museum, the City of Santa Fe, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Main Street of America Route 66 Centennial Caravan for an afternoon celebrating 100 years of Route 66.

Saturday, June 13, 2026

1-7 p.m.

New Mexico History Museum and Santa Fe Plaza

The celebration begins at 1 p.m. with "Route" beer floats in the Palace of the Governors courtyard. Historic cars from the Route 66 Centennial Caravan arrive on the Plaza around 2 p.m. and remain on display throughout the afternoon.

At 2 p.m., NMPBS will screen the Route 66 show's Route 66: In New Mexico and Route 66: The Neon Road in the museum auditorium.

At 3 p.m., local dignitaries and special guests will honor the centennial of the historic route. DJ Christina Swilley will provide music from the 1950s and 1960s during this family-friendly event.

The 72oz Steak Challenge begins at 5:30 p.m., presented by The Big Texan Steak Ranch® and Santa Fe's Bull Ring steakhouse. Contestants will attempt to finish a four-and-a-half-pound steak meal in under one hour.

Event Highlights:

• Historic Route 66 caravan vehicles

• "Route" beer floats

• Live DJ and vintage music

• Route 66 centennial celebration

• NMPBS Screening

• 72oz Steak Challenge

• Family-friendly activities

Museum activities are included with admission. Plaza events are free and open to the public.

Interested in competing in the steak challenge? Post a video or message on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok explaining why you are the perfect candidate, tag @thebigtexan, and include your city as a hashtag.

Click here to learn more about the New Mexico History Museum

Click here to learn more about the Route 66 Centennial Caravan