Route 66 Kidzeum Birthday Celebration Presented by Horace Mann

Route 66 Kidzeum Birthday Celebration Presented by Horace Mann Saturday, July 18, 2026 | Kidzeum & Old State Capitol Lawn | Downtown Springfield Kidzeum turns 8, and we're celebrating in a big way -- with a full day of free admission, Route 66 festivities, and a free outdoor movie screening on the Old State Capitol lawn. July 18 falls right in the heart of the Route 66 Centennial, and Springfield is the perfect place to mark it. Spend the day exploring Kidzeum's hands-on exhibits, including our Route 66 exhibit, while enjoying live music, face-painting, food from Kone Ice and local food trucks, and collaborative programming with the Springfield Farmers Market. Thanks to our partners at the Horace Mann Educators Foundation and United Way of Central Illinois, we'll also have 500 free children's books to give away while supplies last, plus information about enrolling in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. As the sun goes down, head to the Old State Capitol lawn for a pre-show reading at 5:30 PM and a free outdoor screening of Cars beginning at 6:00 PM. This is a free, family-friendly event open to the whole community. No admission tickets required. Daytime at Kidzeum Free admission | Open during regular museum hours Live music, face-painting, food vendors, Route 66 exhibit, free book giveaway (while supplies last) Evening at the Old State Capitol Lawn 5:30 PM -- Pre-show & featured reading 6:00 PM -- Outdoor screening of Cars Presented by Horace Mann. In partnership with the Horace Mann Educators Foundation and United Way of Central Illinois.