martin luther King Jr. Archives

Things to Do MLK Day Weekend in L.A.

Published January 5, 2026

By Nina Harada

PHOTO COURTESY Joe Sohm | Dreamstime.com

Martin Luther King Jr. Day takes place the third Monday of January. This year, we celebrate MLK Day on January 19. As a federal holiday, schools and many businesses are closed giving families the opportunity to attend events celebrating and honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. We’ve rounded up 12 things to do with your family this MLK Day weekend in L.A., from volunteer opportunities to parades and more.

1. Celebrate MLK Day: Let Freedom Ring Bell Craft

4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Wed., Jan. 14 | Lloyd Taber-Marina Del Ray Library

Join the LA County Library to celebrate MLK Day in remembering the strides he and other civil rights leaders made towards peace, freedom and justice for all with a special storytime and creating a bell. For children ages 5 – 12 with parent or caretaker. More info.

2. MLK Day at Pretend City

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 15 | Pretend City Children’s Museum

Celebrate the legacy of Dr. King with special activities and thoughtful discussions. Join us as we honor and celebrate Black leaders, artists, and innovators throughout the day in honor of MLK day. More info.

3. Experience The Dream MLK The Musical

3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 16 – 17 | Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts

Get ready for a powerful new stage production that will take the world by storm. “Experience the Dream: MLK The Musical” brings to life the incredible love story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. This inspiring musical takes audiences on a heartfelt journey through the personal and public lives of two of America?s most iconic figures. More info.

4. 43rd Annual Parade and Celebration

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sat., Jan. 17 | Junipero Serra High School

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Parade & Celebration on Jan. 17 begins at Serra High School and ends at Rowley Park in Gardena. The 43rd annual event features a Battle of the Bands, community booths, vendors, food trucks and more. More info.

5. 38th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade & Celebration

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sat., Jan. 17 | Martin Luther King Jr. Park

This family-friendly event honoring the life, legacy and values of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a longstanding tradition that celebrates the diverse community of Central Long Beach.2026 festivities include the parade, which begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Anaheim Street and park celebration from 12- 5 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, featuring live entertainment, a kid zone, food and merchandise vendors and more. More info.

6. Santa Monica Symphony: Annual MLK Concert

3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Sat., Jan. 17 | Barnum Hall

The Santa Monica Symphony and the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles come together for a powerful celebration of unity at the Annual MLK Holiday Concert, presented in partnership with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Westside Coalition. Guest conductors Gary Pratt and Charles Dickerson lead an inspiring program, with music that celebrates unity, equality, and hope for a brighter future. More info.

7. MLK Jr. Day of Service by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Mon., Jan. 19 | White Point Nature Preserve

You will help care for the Native Plant Demonstration Garden by planting native shrubs, removing invasive weeds, watering native plants, grooming trails and more! Your efforts will help restore this habitat for wildlife as well as create a beautiful place for the community to enjoy! More info.

8. King Day 2026

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon., Jan. 19 | California African American Museum

Join CAAM at King Day 2026, honoring Martin Luther King Jr. with a performance by Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, discussions with the King Study Group, family activities, food trucks and more. More info.

9. Kingdom Day Parade

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Mon., Jan. 19 | Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

L.A.’s official Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade returns to South L.A. with new producers. Los Angeles Sentinel and Bakewell Media, producers of “Taste of Soul,” will present the 2026 parade, which will still feature floats, marching bands, youth groups, entertainers and a post-parade festival. More info.

10. MLK Day Clothing Drive and Community Breakfast

10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Mon., Jan. 19 | South Park Elementary School

Join Big Sunday for the 14th Annual MLK Day Clothing Drive and Community Breakfast where they will be collecting gently-used and new clothing and shoes. (Socks, underwear and kids’ pajamas must be new.) They will also be collecting non-perishable food to help stock the new, year-’round food pantry opening in February. All ages are invited to contribute: sort clothes, pack food, participate in a school beautification project, enjoy the Civil Rights Exhibit, contribute to the MLK Day Big Sunday Mosaic Sun and more. Plus, enjoy the traditional community breakfast. More info.

11. L.A. Works’ MLK 2026 Volunteer Festival

12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Mon., Jan. 19 | LA Memorial Coliseum

Hosted by L.A. Works, this unforgettable day brings the community together to honor Dr. King’s legacy through hands-on action, learning, and celebration.

The day will include:

Hands-on volunteer activities including create food boxes, seedballs, story boards, hygiene and mental health kits, jump ropes, and more, all serving local Los Angeles nonprofits
Interactive experiences including a nonprofit zone, Minecraft March on Washington, a blood drive, and a brand-new MLK pop-up art installation
An area for families to engage in family-friendly projects
Food and drinks from local food trucks
A small business zone to shop from BIPOC-owned vendors
Music throughout the day provided by 94.7 The Wave

More info.

12. Celebrate MLK Day: Family Storytime

4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Wed., Jan. 21 | Compton Library

Join the LA County Library to celebrate MLK Day in remembering the strides he and other Civil Rights leaders made toward peace, freedom, and justice for all with a special storytime and create inspired art. For ages 5 – 12 with parent or caregiver.

Attendance is limited and advance registration is required. To sign up, see library staff, or register online at Visit.LACountyLibrary.org/Events and filter by location or event date. More info.

For more MLK Day events and family-friendly things to do in L.A., check out our online calendar.

Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in and around Los Angeles

Published January 11, 2024

By Cassandra Lane

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.

Celebrate MLK Day in L.A.

Published January 9, 2023

By Nina Harada

Join the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy for MLK Jr. Day of Service.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day takes place Monday, January 16th. Fortunately, many annual in-person events are back to honor King’s legacy and give back to our community.

MLK Jr. Day of Service with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy – Join the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy for MLK Jr. day of service at White Point Nature Preserve on Monday, Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon. Help care for the White Point Native Plant Demonstration Garden by removing invasive weeds, water native plants and groom trails. pvplc.volunteerhub.com

11^th Annual MLK Day Clothing Drive & Community Breakfast – Join Big Sunday on Jan. 16 at 24^th St. Elementary for an all-ages block party and put together winter clothing kits for folks in need. Other activities include arts and crafts projects to benefit local nonprofits, entertainment from the Blue Breeze Band, the popular community breakfast and, new this year, the Big Sunday MLK Day Marketplace, spotlighting minority-owned businesses. bigsunday.org

L.A. Works MLK Day of Service – Join L.A. Works on Jan. 16 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for a family-friendly day of volunteering. Learn about native plants and climate change and experience a recreated March on Washington in Minecraft. laworks.com

Join the City of Santa Clarita for its 2nd annual Unity Walk.

King Day 2023 – The California African American Museum hosts its annual King Day on Jan. 16 to honor Martin Luther King Jr. with a full day of festivities. This year’s theme is “MLK: A Legacy of Service.” The free event features a performance by the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, family-friendly activities, food trucks and more. caamuseum.org

Kingdom Day Parade – The 38^th annual Kingdom Day Parade returns to Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. on Jan. 16. The parade, which will also be televised live at 11 a.m., will have floats, performances and presentations from Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and S. Western Ave. to Crenshaw Blvd., and then south to Vernon Ave. This year’s theme is “America, The Last Best Hope of the World.” kingdomdayparade.org

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Unity Walk – The City of Santa Clarita hosts its second annual unity walk to honor Dr. King’s core values of faith, education, nonviolence, love, leadership, community and hope. The program will feature guest speakers celebrating Dr. King, followed by a quarter-mile community walk through Central Park. santa-clarita.com

Ongoing Celebrations at USC – USC will host a variety of events from now through late February to celebrate King’s legacy and Black culture and achievements. A few highlights:

“MLK in Los Angeles” – Jan. 3-March 5 – Exhibit chronicles Kings visits to South L.A. and USC. fisher.usc.edu

Performing Arts Summit – 1 p.m.-9 p.m. Jan. 13 – Celebrates today’s generation of artists with workshops, students performances, a panel and networking dinner. linktr.ee/usgpac

MLK/FBI A Screening and Conversation with Sam Pollard – 7 p.m. Jan. 17 – Deemed as “timely as an alarm clock” by The New York Times, the award-winning 2020 documentary will be followed by a discussion featuring its acclaimed director, Sam Pollard, and USC Annenberg professor Miki Turner. visionsandvoices.usc.edu

“MLK/FBI,” a film directed by Sam Pollard, will screen at USC Jan. 17 PHOTO COURTESY USC

Gibney Company (a Visions and Voices signature event) – 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 – The progressive dance company from New York City presents a dynamic evening of connection, exhilaration and inspiration to ignite a cultural renaissance that has ripple effects far beyond the studio and stage. visionsandvoices.usc.edu

2023: Producing to Power in the 21st Century – 7 p.m. Feb. 1 – Award-winning filmmaker Melissa Haizlip and USC Annenbereg professor Robeson Taj Frazier will discuss “SOUL!” Ellis Haizlip’s pioneering TV show that celebrated Blackness through music and talk at the height of the civil rights movement.

An Evening with Nikole Hannah-Jones – 6 p.m. Feb. 21 – The inaugural event of the Charlotta Bass Media Trailblazer Speaker Series at USC will feature Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of “The 1619 Project” and one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People,” in conversation with Allissa V. Richardson, associate professor of journalism and communication at USC Annenberg and founding director of the USC Charlotta Bass Journalism & Justice Lab.

Cedars-Sinai’s Martin Luther King Jr. Food Drive – Jan. 9-20 – In honor of the civil rights leader’s legacy of serving those in need, Cedars-Sinai will host a food drive by partnering with Open Arms Pantry. Donation bins will be placed at several locations across Cedars-Sinai. Details on bin locations and requested types of food donations will be forthcoming. Consider donating nutrient rich food, grains, soups, oats, juice, etc.