Route 66 ‘Pier to Pier’ Celebration

Two of America’s most iconic piers — the historic Santa Monica Pier and Chicago’s Navy Pier — will unite coast-to-coast on Saturday, June 6, 2026 (6/6/26), for a special Route 66 “Pier to Pier” celebration honoring the Centennial anniversary of the legendary highway connecting Chicago and Santa Monica.

Beginning at 10 a.m. local time, free rides will be offered for 66 minutes aboard the world-famous Navy Pier Centennial Wheel and Pacific Park Pazifik-Rad in celebration of Route 66.

The one-day event celebrates the historic connection between Chicago and the recent dedication of Navy Pier as the new symbolic eastern starting point of Historic Route 66, and Santa Monica, home to the iconic western terminus and “End of the Trail” at the Santa Monica Pier.