Red Carpet Corridor Weekend

Celebrate the spirit of America’s most iconic highway during this two-day Route 66 festival on May 2–3, 2026, where families are invited to enjoy classic road-trip fun along the legendary Route 66 corridor from Joliet to Bloomington. Sponsored by the fifteen communities that make up the 100-mile Route 66 linear museum, the Bloomington portion of this festival features a farmers market, giveaways, and the official kickoff weekend for the Route 66 Centennial “Centennial Streets” photo opportunities, interactive chalkboard walls, and a countywide scavenger hunt that will engage visitors in discovering vibrant murals, signage, and historic roadside stops throughout McLean County. The weekend also includes a special Illinois Symphony Orchestra performance celebrating Route 66’s 100th anniversary with a commissioned world premiere at the ISU Center for the Performing Arts, plus plenty of activities that capture the joy and nostalgia of life on the Mother Road.