Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival

Celebrate the 16th Annual Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival on May 3rd & 4th, 2025. This two-day festival emphasizes family fun on one of the most famous two-way highway in America - Route 66. This annual festival invites everyone to experience the good life in the slow lane. 

Communities from Joliet to Bloomington have events and activities planned, including festivals, art & antique sales, live entertainment, motorcycle & car shows, food & drinks, and more! From historic sits to mom & pop shops to unique musuems, there's something for everyone.

Make sure to explore the towns of the Heritage Corridor.

City of Joliet

Saturday Events

• Joliet Area Historical Museum

  • Free admission all day (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

• The Old Joliet Prison

  • Self-guided tour available ($22)

  • Welcome Center and Prison open (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM)

• Commemorative Giveaway

  • Available at the Joliet Area Historical Museum Welcome Center (204 N. Ottawa St.)

  • While supplies last

Sunday Events

• Joliet Area Historical Museum

  • Free admission (10:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

• The Old Joliet Prison

  • Open during normal business hours (10:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

• Commemorative Giveaway

  • Available at the Joliet Area Historical Museum Welcome Center (204 N. Ottawa St.)

  • While supplies last

City of Wilmington

Saturday Events

Location: Downtown, near 220 N. Water St.

• Flea Market: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

• Food Vendors

• Live Music: Route 66 Band, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

• Split-the-Pot Button Raffle

• Giveaway at the Chamber Tent

• Mobile Racing Challenge (Ages 7+)

  • Location: 110 S. Park Street

  • Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

  • Race cars provided

• Contact for more information: 815-476-5991
   

Sunday Events

Location: Visitor’s Center, next to Gemini Giant (110 S. Park St.)
Time: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM

• Live Music

• Local Art Show

• Food Trucks

• Wine & Beer Tastings

• Kids Games and Raffles

Saturday & Sunday Events

• Grand Opening of The Landing Pad Souvenir Shop

  • Location: 110 S. Park Street

  • Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

For more information: 815-476-5991

Village of Gardner

Saturday Events

• Meet & Greet with the Mayor

  • Location: Two-Cell Jail

  • Pick up this year’s giveaway

• Gardner Archives Open

  • Location: Village Hall

• Gardner Lions Club Streetcar Diner

  • Serving root beer floats and pork chop sandwiches

  • Time: 10:00 AM until sold out

• The Shop

  • Free Route 66 collectible pin

• CCI & Lala’s Sidewalk Sale

  • Location: Depot Street

• For more information: 815-237-2592

Sunday Events

• Depot Street Tractor Show

  • Location: Parking Lot

  • Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

• Giveaway

  • Location: Depot Street

  • Available while supplies last

• Craft Show

  • Hosted by: Creative Gems

  • Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

• Scapegoats Car Show

  • Location: Depot Street Parking Lot

  • Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

• Elvis Tribute Performance

  • Performer: Hugo Collins

  • Location: Gazebo

• Church of Hope Rock-a-Thon

  • Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

City of Pontiac

Saturday Events

• Swinging Bridges Arts Festival (Hosted by the Greater Livingston County Arts Council)

  • Location: 200 block of West Madison Street & The Eagle Theater

  • Artists selling handcrafted, fine art pieces

  • Art demonstrations, entertainment, and food trucks

  • Live Music: The Riker Maneuver (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM)

• Museums Open

  • Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

  • Admission: Free

• Pontiac Giveaways

  • Location: 209 W. Madison

  • While supplies last

Sunday Events

• Swinging Bridges Arts Festival (Continued)

  • Artists, art demonstrations, entertainment, and food trucks

• Museums Open

  • Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

  • Admission: Free

• Pontiac Giveaways

  • Location: 209 W. Madison

  • While supplies last

Village of Dwight

Friday Events

• Town-Wide Garage Sales

Saturday Events

• Town-Wide Garage Sales (Continued)

• D-Town Throwdown

  • Backyard burger competition

• Springfest Vendor Fair

  • Location: VFW

  • Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

• Dwight Historical Society Museum

  • Location: Historic Depot

  • Open for visitors

• Giveaway

  • Location: The Historic Texaco Station on Route 66

  • Available both days while supplies last