11th Annual Williams Historic RT 66 Car Show

11th Annual
Williams Historic
Route 66 Car Show

June 5-6, 2026 • Downtown RT 66 • Williams, AZ

The Williams Route 66 Car Show is officially the American Graffiti event of Northern Arizona, where cruising is kool, spectators can get up close to the cars, and talk with the owners. Participants have turned this event into a weekend-long celebration of Route 66, and with this being the highway’s 100th anniversary, that tradition was on full display. This writer belongs to a few groups who have made this Route 66 celebration a rite of passage, marking the arrival of summer. Groups gather along Route 66, share stories, spend time together, show off their rides to spectators and fellow participants, stay up late, and enjoy the weekend with friends. It’s not just a car show or another car event—it has become a cultural tradition for motorheads, including this writer.

Coming to Williams is always a treat because of the incredible variety of eye candy on display. There truly is something for everyone. The bonus is that Williams is a nostalgic town that feels like it’s still living in the ’50s, with architecture dating from the 1930s through the 1960s. The backdrop makes taking photos of your favorite rides a spectator’s delight. The merchants and local businesses fully support the event as it brings thousands of visitors to town while celebrating what Williams stands for—the preservation of our motorhead culture against the backdrop of historic Route 66.

We usually RV to the event and arrived on Thursday. Even then, the streets were already lined with classic cars in motel parking lots, along the streets, and cruising Route 66. Motorheads were already staking out their territory for the weekend. We spent some time cruising around town, taking in the history of Williams and getting familiar with the lay of the land.

The pre-show really starts on Thursday as enthusiasts arrive throughout the day, cruising Route 66 and kibitzing with fellow motorheads. Drive-through registration was one of the best this writer has experienced—they definitely have their ducks in a row. Early Friday morning, we got up to park our ’59 Impala resto. Once you park your classic, that space is yours for the event, so you can leave and come back whenever you need to. In our case, that meant picking up the wife and bringing her to the show. Since we RV’d this year, we’re happy to say we already have a hotel room booked on Route 66 for next year! The crowds of spectators seemed endless, and before we knew it, the day had flown by. The evening wrapped up with the famous three-mile Route 66 cruise loop, where spectators lined the streets enjoying the parade of classics.

Saturday, if you can believe it, drew even more spectators than Friday. The crowds just kept coming all day long. The awards ceremony was held at the world-famous Sultana, with standing room only. The event is hosted each year by The American Legion, Cordova Post 13, of Williams, Arizona. The entire American Legion Family—the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion, and American Legion Riders—pulled together to make this one of the premier events in Arizona. Put June 4–5, 2027, on your calendar now. They did an outstanding job, along with the Town of Williams, welcoming everyone to the “American Graffiti of Northern Arizona.”

Proceeds from the event help meet local veterans’ needs on a one-to-one basis, providing immediate assistance where it’s needed most. Funds also support the Veterans Home in Flagstaff, local veterans programs, the Veterans Cemetery, and community activities, including high school and youth sports.
If you’re planning to participate next year, register early and make your lodging reservations as soon as possible. This is one of those don’t-miss events and remains this writer’s favorite car show in Northern Arizona. Don’t miss it!