Musicians from 10 countries invited to capture the Mother Road’s spirit and its iconic end at the pier
Santa Monica Travel & Tourism launched the Route 66 Song Contest on Thursday, inviting songwriters and musicians 18 and older from 10 countries to submit original songs celebrating the iconic highway’s ties to the city for a $10,000 prize.
Eligible countries include the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Submissions must capture the spirit of Santa Monica and Route 66, known as The Mother Road, which ends at the intersection of Lincoln Boulevard and Olympic Boulevard. A commemorative marker on the Santa Monica Pier marks the terminus.
The contest kicks off local festivities ahead of the highway’s centennial in 2026. Santa Monica will host the start of “The Drive Home,” a cross-country road trip organized by America’s Automotive Trust and the National Route 66 Centennial Commission. The journey departs Jan. 3, 2026, and ends with an exhibition at the Detroit Auto Show.
“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 and CEO of Santa Monica Travel & Tourism. “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 runs through April 30, 2026, with the winner announced in June.
Full rules and entry details are available at santamonica.com/route66
