Here’s everything you need to know about the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri — a vibrant celebration of the city’s vital role in the creation of the iconic “Mother Road.”

Festival Highlights & Features

• Held downtown Springfield, the festival covers sections of St. Louis St., Jefferson Ave., McDaniel St., Kimbrough Ave., Park Central Square, Robberson Ave., and Patton Ave.

• It’s completely free to attend, including live music, car/motorcycle shows, and performances — with vendors offering food, drinks, and merchandise.

• Activities typically include:

  • Classic car and motorcycle shows

  • Parades

  • Live music across multiple stages

  • Vendor villages, artist exhibits, poker runs, fuel stops (Gypsy Poker Run), Big Rig roundups, cornhole tournaments, and more

2025 Festival Details: Dates & Schedule

Dates

• Friday, August 8: festival opens (evening)

• Saturday, August 9: full day of festivities

Event Schedule

• Friday: Car Show (12–4 pm), music, parade kickoff with exciting entertainment (Freestyle Moto Jump Show, Globe of Death), and Drone Show to close the evening

• Saturday: Car and Bike Shows (10 am–4 pm), Women’s World expo, vendor village, concerts, Gypsy Poker Run, and award ceremonies

New for 2024/25:

• Stearman biplane flyovers: vintage WW II planes soar above to kick things off and during the parade

• Rotary Rendezvous Stage: a new block-party stage created in cooperation with Rotary Clubs and Hold Fast Brewing, offering live music and more

• Adjusted footprint: the main stage has moved to the west side of the Discovery Center for improved visibility, and the festival zone is more centrally focused with fewer road closures

Logistics: Parking, Shuttles & Comfort

• Free parking is available in multiple lots and garages nearby (Kentwood Hall, McDaniel, Campbell, Olive, Boonville, etc.

• Golf cart shuttles circulate throughout the festival footprint for easy access

• Facilities include strategically placed porta-potties and indoor restrooms at venues like Old Glass Place, Public Library, and Shrine Mosque (accessed with purchase)

• Temperature relief: A “Backlot” area on Jefferson between McDaniel and Walnut provides shaded seating, a misting station, and local food options to cool off and relax

Attendance & Community Impact

• Over 65,000 attendees from across the U.S. and even other countries

• It’s designed to cultivate local pride and community ownership, with the city emphasizing that the event remains free and accessible