Spotlight: Route 66 Centennial
Centennial celebrations are in full swing this summer, with Route 66 Day on June 6. From museum exhibitions, car shows, and lectures to special dining experiences, outdoor fun, and limited edition shoes, there are miles of ways to wish the Mother Road a happy hundredth birthday! Here are just a few options:
- Fill up during the Taste of Nob Hill on Friday, June 5, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Triangle Park (151 Dartmouth Drive NE; ticket prices vary)
- Learn about The Other Route 66: 100 Years of People, Identity, and Place in Albuquerque at the Albuquerque Museum on Saturday, June 6, with music starting at 11:00 AM and a presentation at 3:00 PM by Candacy Taylor, author of Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America (free!).
- Roll into the Albuquerque Super Show and admire the legendary lowriders on Sunday, June 7, at the Albuquerque Convention Center (401 Second Street NW) from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM; ticket prices vary.
- Take a different kind of road trip at your own pace with Route 66 Remixed, a city-wide art project created in partnership with Meow Wolf, local artists, and others. Visit more than 20 public installations featuring AR, narration by poet laureate Hakim Bellamy, original sculptures, murals, and more.
- Stay up to date with The Roadrunner newsletter, where you’ll find historic photos, Q&As with Route 66 figures, and more upcoming event details.
Spotlight: Pleased to Present Gallery
The old Skip Maisel store downtown on Central (510 Central Avenue SW) is now home to a new gallery, Pleased to Present. The nearly 14,000-square-foot building, originally built in 1939 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, now showcases work from around the world with an emphasis on New Mexican talent. The gallery’s debut exhibition, This is Us—which ends June 6—features 148 local artists. Through June, the gallery is also showing Hear and Not Here, an exhibition featuring sound art by John Miller, Aura Rosenberg, Mala Iqbal, and others.
“Albuquerque is home to nearly 80 ethnicities, and we believe they should feel seen and represented in the city’s art scene,” say the gallery’s organizers on the Pleased to Present website. “We also believe that by learning about and experiencing other cultures, we are less likely to treat people as ‘others.’ To this end, we believe in diversity, equality, equity, inclusiveness, and civil and human rights for everyone.”
Pleased to Present is open Wednesdays through Sundays from noon until 6:00 PM and Fridays from noon until 8:00 PM. Admission is free, and the gallery, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, will also offer classes and workshops.
5 Things To Do in June
Blackout for a Good Cause
On Thursday, June 4, from 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM, head to Tractor Brewing Co. at the Wells Park location for a launch party to support the local Blackout Theatre and the opening weekend of its newest play, Santa Beva, a new comedy written by New Mexican playwright Leonard Madrid. Madrid will host a Q&A about his work, plus Albuquerque poet laureate Damien Flores will perform slam poetry. Also, catch live music from Los Metamorfos and comedy from Rusty Rutherford. Tickets are a suggested $5 at the door, and all proceeds for the evening go to Blackout Theatre. Santa Beva runs from June 5 through June 21 at CNM’s Coal Avenue Theatre; tickets for the play are a suggested donation of $10.
Party in the Park
Having just one theme for a party is so over. Get ready to dance at the Pirate Clown Bubble Rainbow Disco on Saturday, June 6. This all-ages event takes place at Roosevelt Park (500 Spruce Street SE) starting at 2:00 PM. Enjoy face painting, hat and vinyl decorating, a magician, cotton candy, and more alongside live music from ENEE, Joey Fettuccine, The Ganders, Lacrima, Mac Chedda, Mrs. jon-son, MSGenius, and Papa Beats. Free!
Show Pride
The annual Pride Parade returns to Nob Hill on Saturday, June 13! The all-ages, free fun begins at 10:00 AM along Route 66, from Central and Wellesley to Central and San Mateo. The celebrations continue at Civic Plaza for ABQ PrideFest 2026, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Tickets for the festival range from $15 to $20 (which don’t include taxes or fees).
Celebrate Father’s Day
Spend time with Dad and support local businesses at the same time with this year’s Cool Dads Club Market at El Vado Motel (across from the Botanic Garden). Happening on Saturday, June 20 from noon until 4:00 PM, the market will feature live music alongside small business vendors selling a variety of food, apparel, vintage items, handmade goods, and other gifts. The market itself is free and open to everyone.
Find Your Rhythm
The 39th Annual Flamenco Festival takes place this year from June 19 through June 27, once again featuring workshops for kids and adults of all skill levels, performances in various venues around Albuquerque, and a dazzling line-up of the best flamenco dancers, musicians, and choreographers from around the world. The festival also offers a celebration of flamenco in cinema—on Saturday, June 27, from 1:30 PM until 7:00 PM, event organizers will present three iconic films at The Guild (3405 Central Avenue NE), completely for free! This year’s official poster, commissioned by the National Institute of Flamenco, features work by Albuquerque-based artist Lynnette Haozous. For all event details, merchandise, and more, visit the festival’s official website.
