Santa Monica celebrates Route 66 centennial with song contest

Since 1946, a variety of performers have been singing the famous song about getting your kicks on Route 66, but now Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) is launching the Route 66 Song Contest as part of the official kick-off of the iconic highway’s Centennial celebration in 2026.

This creative competition invites Canadian songwriters and musicians over the age of 18 to submit an original song capturing the spirit of Santa Monica and its ties to the historic road for the chance to win $10,000.00 USD.

As music speaks many languages, we invite artists based in the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to share their original pieces celebrating this globally beloved symbol.

Affectionately known as The Mother Road, Route 66 runs 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica and officially terminates at the intersection of Lincoln Boulevard and Olympic Boulevard.

The end of the legendary highway is commemorated by an honorary marker on the Santa Monica Pier, where visitors can capture the perfect photo to remember their time along the route. Travellers can’t miss a stop at our Visitor Information Centers for Route 66 souvenirs, Santa Monica merchandise and a free Certificate of Completion celebrating their Route 66 travels.

The Route 66 Song Contest launches ahead of nationwide centennial festivities in 2026. Santa Monica is proud to be the starting point for The Drive Home, a road trip journey by America’s Automotive Trust in partnership with the National Route 66 Centennial Commission across the length of Route 66.

Departing Santa Monica on Jan. 3, 2026, the cross-country drive will culminate in an exhibition at the Detroit Auto Show showcasing highlights from the drive. More opportunities to celebrate will continue throughout the centennial year, with new festivities announced regularly on our calendar of events.

Misti Kerns, President/CEO of Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, said: “The Santa Monica Route 66 Song Contest presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for music lovers to be part of this historic anniversary by invoking their artistic imagination and sharing what the road’s legacy and Santa Monica’s connection means to them. The arts are core to Santa Monica’s community and culture, and we’re pleased to invite artists from around the world to join us in creatively honouring this milestone.”

And Kerns added: “As part of the 100-year celebration, we look forward to welcoming visitors from around the globe to begin or end their Route 66 journey in our urban beach city.”

The competition will run through April 30, 2026, with the winner to be selected in June 2026.

Visit for www.santamonica.com/route66 for the full contest details.