Monday, Jan. 15, is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and celebrations honoring the civil rights leader will take place throughout the Los Angeles region.

Kingdom Day Parade

The “world’s largest and longest-running life celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King” — the Kingdom Day Parade — returns for its 39th year. The parade will take place 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 15, from Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to Crenshaw Boulevard in L.A. The annual parade features floats, performances, community groups and more.

MLK Parade — Long Beach

Long Beach’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration will take place Saturday, Jan. 13 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, located at 1950 Lemon Ave.

The 2024 festivities will begin with the parade kickoff at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Anaheim Street, followed by the park celebration from noon to 5 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park. The park celebration will include a main stage with performances, a health and wellness area, a youth area, food and merchandise vendors and information booths.

The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. parade and celebration has become a longstanding tradition that celebrates the diverse community of Central Long Beach. This festival serves to honor and keep alive the many values of Dr. King through arts, remembrance and meaningful perspectives. Learn more at longbeach.gov.

Music at the Skirball

The Skirball Cultural Center will host Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles at 7 p.m. on Jan. 13 for an uplifting evening honoring King and his work. This event is free. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A.ocated at Learn more at skirball.org.

Also at the Skirball Center, see more than 150 photos (“This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers”) taken by civil rights movement insiders that reveal the vital work undertaken by a broad coalition of organizers and everyday people whose collective action changed America. The exhibit will be on display through Feb. 25.

A flowering honor

On Jan. 15, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., the California Botanic Garden will host a free admission day, opening its doors on a non-museum day to celebrate the legacy of King. A limited number of free tickets are available for public general admission. Members may enter the garden without a reservation. California Botanic Garden, 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont. Learn more.

Walking for unity

Santa Clarita will host its Unity Walk at 9 a.m. on Jan. 15. The event will feature a brief program focusing on King’s legacy and contributions to our nation, all centered around this year’s theme — “It Starts with Me: Shifting the Cultural Climate through the Study and Practice of Kingian Nonviolence.”

Attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the SCV Food Pantry. Following the program, participants will embark on a quarter-mile walk through Central Park. There will also be a community art project and other community organizations present. The event is free. Learn more.

An extra “day of play”

Cayton Children’s Museum will host an extra day of play in honor of King on Jan. 15. The Cayton will be open to the public from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and to members from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Pop in and be bubbled over with joy as kids create bubble monsters and celebrate with a bubble dance party.

Warm coats of service

One Warm Coat, in partnership with Americorp, will donate coats to communities in need on Jan. 15, which is also known as National Day Of Service.

Since 1992, One Warm Coat has collected eight million coats, distributing them through more than 1,500 nonprofit partners.

Over the last quarter-century, the MLK Day of Service has grown, and its impact has increased, One Warm Coat organizers say. One Warm Coat and Americorps aim to build on King’s dream through unity, service and transformation.

One Warm Coat encourages participating in a coat drive as a powerful way to make a positive impact on financially disadvantaged communities.