SANTA MONICA ANNOUNCES SONG CONTEST IN CELEBRATION OF ROUTE 66 CENTENNIAL
Songwriters and musicians showcase talent in honor of city’s status as the end of the trail
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (November 13, 2025) — Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) is proud to launch 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 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. Travelers can’t miss a stop at our Centros de informações para visitantes 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 January 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.
“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 honoring this milestone,” said Misti Kerns, President/CEO of Santa Monica Travel & Tourism.
“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 santamonica.com/route66 for the full contest details.
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Sobre a Santa Monica Travel & Tourism
A Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) é uma organização sem fins lucrativos criada para aumentar os gastos dos visitantes, a receita do turismo e as oportunidades de emprego local por meio da promoção de Santa Monica como destino de viagem. Para obter mais informações, visite santamonica.com, email info@santamonica.com, or follow SMTT on Instagram (@SeeSantaMonica), X (@GoSantaMonica) ou Facebook (@VisitSantaMonica).
Contato com a mídia
Emily Ohara
Gerente de Relações Públicas
