Martin Luther King Jr. Day Ideas

America will always remember the work of Martin Luther King, Jr. On the third Monday in January, we celebrate his birthday and remember his contribution to our country. This is the first national holiday to honor an individual black American. Rather than treat this holiday as a chance to sleep in and catch up on chores (though that is commendable), choose to celebrate and honor the holiday’s namesake instead.

Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.

Perhaps you haven’t paused before to consider his impact on America, or the world, today. Maybe you celebrate every year, but you’d like to do something different this year. Cities and towns across the United States hold prayer breakfasts, parades, and other events to honor King’s legacy. Here’s a (fairly comprehensive) list of events offered across the country. You can also check with your local Convention and Visitor Bureau to see what’s planned near you.

• Alabama:
  • Birmingham, featuring a year-long 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement.
• Arizona: banquets, parades, festivals and picnics throughout the state.
• California:
  • Los Angeles, Parade.
  • San Francisco, Parade and day-long festival, including free BART passes (order by 1/19).
• Colorado:
  • Denver, “Marade” (March and Parade) and Rodeo.
• Delaware:
  • Bridgeville, MLK Day of Celebration, advance tickets required.
• Florida:
  • Fort Walton Beach, Events throughout the weekend.
  • Gainesville, Celebrating throughout January.
  • Lakeland, Parade.
  • Miami, Day of Service to fulfill a legacy.
  • Orlando, Events throughout the weekend.
  • Tampa, Parade
  • Winter Haven, Parade on Saturday.
• Georgia:
  • Atlanta, Events throughout the weekend.
• Hawaii: Events planned throughout the state all weekend.
• Idaho:
  • Baltimore, Parade
• Illinois:
  • Elgin, Prayer breakfast, Public event and Youth leadership conference.
• Indiana:
  • Bloomington, 40 Days of Peace Pledge, Projects, Video Competition and more.
  • Indianapolis, Events throughout the weekend including free museum admission, a freedom walk, youth events and more.
  • Notre Dame, Events throughout the weekend.
• Kansas:
  • Wichita, Events throughout the weekend.
• Kentucky:
  • Winchester, March and Celebration.
• Louisiana:
  • New Iberia, Day long celebration of King’s life and accomplishments.
• Maine:
  • Portland, NAACP Community Dialogue on Race and Poverty.
• Maryland: Events planned throughout the state all weekend.
  • Baltimore, Parade
  • Washington, D.C. Events throughout the weekend.
• Massachusetts:
  • Boston: MLK Memorial Breakfast, Special Events and Boston Cares Day of Service.
  • Cambridge: Events throughout the weekend.
• Michigan:
  • Grand Rapids, Events throughout the weekend.
• Minnesota:
  • Duluth: Events throughout the weekend.
  • Minneapolis/St. Paul: Events throughout the weekend.
• Mississippi:
  • Gulfport/Biloxi Area, Parade and more.
  • Jackson: Children’s Museum Events Saturday and Citywide Events Monday.
  • Laurel: Events planned all week.
• Missouri:
  • Springfield, March and Celebration.
  • St. Louis, Events throughout the weekend.
• Nebraska:
  • Homestead National Monument of America, sharing an MLK Documentary.
• Nevada:
  • Las Vegas, Celebrating King Week from Jan. 15-26, 2013
  • Reno/Tahoe, Events all weekend, including free national park admission.
• New Hampshire:
  • Manchester, community event and food drive.
• New Jersey: Events planned throughout the state all weekend.
• New Mexico:
  • Albuquerque, Events throughout the weekend.
• New York:
  • Buffalo, Remembrance Program January 20.
  • Long Island, Children’s Museum Activities (admission fee required).
  • Manhattan (NYC), Events throughout the weekend.
  • Saratoga Springs, Events on Monday.
• North Carolina: Events planned throughout the state all weekend.
• Ohio:
  • Cincinnati, Events throughout the day.
  • Cleveland, Events throughout the weekend including free museum admission.
  • Columbus, Events on Monday.
  • Toledo, Event Monday morning.
• Oklahoma:
  • Oklahoma City, “Challenges Beyond the Dream” events all day.
  •  Tulsa, Parade on Monday.
• Oregon: Portland, MLK Jr. Breakfast
• Pennsylvania:
  • Harrisburg, Events on Monday.
  • Philadelphia, Events throughout the week.
  • Pittsburgh, Events Sunday and Monday.
• Rhode Island:
  • Providence (RISD), Events throughout the weekend.
  • Providence Picture Frame, Event Saturday.
• South Carolina:
  • Bluffton, Memorial Service and Parade.
  • Greenville, Commemorative events throughout the month.
  • Myrtle Beach, Events throughout the weekend.
• Tennessee:
  • Knoxville, Events throughout the week.
  • Memphis, Events throughout the weekend.
  • Nashville, Events throughout the weekend including free museum admission.
• Texas:
  • Arlington, Events throughout the weekend.
  • Dallas, Parade and events all weekend.
  • Houston, MLK Grande Parade
• Utah:
  • Salt Lake City, “Justice for All” Events planned throughout the week.
  • Utah Valley University, Free events open to the public throughout the week.
• Virginia:
  • Arlington, Events throughout the weekend.
  • Reston, Events throughout the weekend.
• Washington:
  • Seattle, Events throughout the weekend.
• West Virginia:
  • Charleston, Events throughout the weekend.
  • Morgantown, Theatrical tribute Monday.

These events are provided for your convenience. Many communities throughout the country will have parades, breakfasts and tributes to honor the memory and legacy of Dr. King. Many communities across the US are dedicating Monday as a day of service to honor King’s devotion to others.

By the way, the stamp at the top of this post is from India. Dr. King’s life has been commemorated on stamps around the world including the countries of Gambia, Gabon, St. Thomas, Mexico, Rwanda, Paraguay and even Cuba.