Route 66 Summerfest Heats Up Nob Hill With Ozomatli Live
The Department of Arts & Culture invites everyone to get their kicks at Route 66 Summerfest on Saturday, July 19, from 5 to 10 p.m. in Nob Hill. The free, family-friendly event will take over Central Avenue between Girard and Washington with live music, local food, and so much more.
Route 66 Summerfest is the official kickoff of Albuquerque’s Route 66 Centennial celebration. The celebration is gearing up to be a historic and vibrant milestone showcasing immersive art installations, cutting-edge augmented reality experiences, and a host of special events that will bring the iconic route to life in new and innovative ways.
“Route 66 Summerfest is just the beginning of months of fun, culture, and connection along the Mother Road,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “From world-class music to local flavor and community pride, we’re showing once again why Albuquerque is the best place to be.”
Route 66 Summerfest features four stages with live performances, including the NM Jazz Festival stage. The Grammy Award-winning band Ozomatli will headline the Main Stage at 8:30 p.m.
If Los Angeles had a soundtrack, it would be Ozomatli. Celebrating 30 years in 2025, the band has become a multicultural force with their signature fusion of Latin, hip-hop, funk, reggae, and global sounds. Known as much for their electrifying live shows as for their activism, Ozomatli continues to inspire and unite audiences worldwide. Their music is both a celebration and a call to action — joyful, socially conscious, and unmistakably rooted in the spirit of L.A.
Local musicians include Str8 Shot, KENEP, Box Canyon Barbies, Reviva, The Asteroids, JD Nash, Keeping Up With the Joneses, Grupo Herencia, Flambeaux, Dimi Di'Santi's Big Backyard Band, and Levi Platero.
Throughout the event attendees can try various local food trucks, browse handcrafted goods from small businesses, and enjoy inflatables, face painting, and more.
Central Avenue will be closed to traffic from midnight on July 18 through 3 a.m. on July 20. Event attendees are encouraged to arrive early, plan for transit and parking changes, and bring water, sunscreen, and chairs. More information at https://tinyurl.com/p6h2wfyy.
Route 66 Summerfest is sponsored by the New Mexico Tourism Department and iHeart Radio.