ALBUQUERQUE — Mayor Tim Keller’s 2026 State of the City address is hosted at the Route 66 Visitor Center beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 15. The event will feature the annual mayoral address, a Meet the Fleet event with the Albuquerque Fire Department, a City Department Expo, and live performances. It will also host celebratory activities to mark the Route 66 Centennial.
The annual address gives Albuquerque’s mayor the opportunity to highlight major successes from the previous year and inform constituents about upcoming initiatives, plans, and priorities for the city in the coming year.
During the 2025 State of the City address, Mayor Tim Keller said that “to understand where we’re going, we have to be clear about where we are.” Last year, the speech covered advancements in public safety, housing, and education initiatives, both executed and planned for the future, as well as information about federal immigration enforcement involvement in New Mexico.
This year’s address will begin with a Meet the Fleet event, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., where attendees can meet members of the Albuquerque Fire Department. The mayor’s State of the City address will begin at 5:30 p.m. The event will continue from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., ending with a City Department Expo and a performance from Baila! Baila!, a New Mexican performance and dance academy.
The event will also celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Historic Route 66; the Route 66 Visitor Center, which will be hosting this year’s address, recently reopened with an exhibition celebrating “Mother Road Centennial.” The Route 66 Visitor Center is located on Nine Mile Hill at 12300 Central Ave NW.
Parking for the event will be available at multiple locations. The Route 66 Visitor Center will offer limited parking. Additional parking will be at the Fire Academy parking lot East of the Route 66 Visitor Center, located at 11500 Sunset Gardens Rd SW. Overflow parking will be available at Central & Unser Transit Center at 7901 Central Ave NW; bus riders will also debark here for event access. Round-trip shuttles will be available from the Fire Academy and Central & Unser Transit Center to the Route 66 Visitor Center.
Free tickets, which are required to enter the event, are available online and attendees can bring either a printed or digital version. Organizers note that alcohol, pets, glass containers, weapons, noisemakers, and signs are not allowed at this event.
To reserve a spot or for more information, visit cabq.gov/sotc.
Nolan Rodrigues Walsh is an Albuquerque-born journalist covering community news and events. They prioritize empathy, transparency, and a community-centered approach. They can be reached on Instagram at @brantonenews.
