A process for production of 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene is disclosed; comprising the steps: (1) an acylation step where 2,4-dimethylisobutyrophenone is produced from m-xylene, propylene and carbon monoxide: (2) a hydrogenation step where the carbonyl group of the above 2,4-dimethylisobutyrophenone is hydrogenated: and (3) a dehydrogenation and cyclization step where the above hydrogenated product is subjected to dehydrogenation and cyclization to produce the desired 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene. The process enables efficiently producing high quality or high purity 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene.