15 events commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2025
Here are 15 events in New York City and New Jersey commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2025:
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed annually on the third Monday of January, honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a civil rights leader who championed racial equality, nonviolence, and social justice in the United States. The holiday celebrates his pivotal role in the American civil rights movement, from his leadership in the Montgomery Bus Boycott to his historic “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington. King’s unwavering commitment to equality and his belief in peaceful resistance continue to inspire generations, making the day a time to reflect on his vision of a just and inclusive society.
Beyond remembrance, MLK Day is also a National Day of Service, encouraging individuals and communities to take action and give back in ways that promote positive change. Across the country, people engage in volunteer activities, community-building initiatives, and educational programs to address pressing social issues and embody King’s ideals. The day serves as both a tribute to his enduring impact and a call to continue his work in advancing equity, compassion, and justice for all.
- Brooklyn Children’s Museum MLK Celebration
- Date & Time: Sunday, January 19, and Monday, January 20, 2025, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Location: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Brooklyn, NY
- Details: Interactive shadow puppet performances, community art programs, and volunteer projects. The Event Planner Expo
- 39th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at BAM
- Date & Time: Monday, January 20, 2025, starting at 10:30 am
- Location: Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Brooklyn, NY
- Details: Inspirational speeches, musical performances, and family-friendly activities. The Event Planner Expo
- MLK Day of Service Coastal Clean-Up at Snug Harbor
- Date & Time: Monday, January 20, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
- Location: Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, Staten Island, NY
- Details: Participate in environmental stewardship with fellow New Yorkers. The Event Planner Expo
- MLK Young Changemakers: Feeding Our Future at the Apollo Theater
- Date & Time: Monday, January 20, 2025, starting at 3:00 pm
- Location: Apollo Theater, Harlem, NY
- Details: Conversations with local and national youth leaders. The Event Planner Expo
- Harlem Gospel Choir Martin Luther King Jr. Day Matinee
- Date & Time: Monday, January 20, 2025, at 3:00 pm
- Location: Sony Hall, New York, NY
- Details: Experience performances by the renowned Harlem Gospel Choir. The Event Planner Expo
- 5th Annual MLK Day of Service in Brooklyn
- Date & Time: Monday, January 20, 2025, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
- Location: 9110 Flatlands Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
- Details: Community clean-up event honoring Dr. King’s legacy. Eventbrite
- MLK Jr. Freedom Run 5K/10K/13.1 in NYC
- Date & Time: Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 7:30 am
- Location: Hudson River Trails, New York, NY
- Details: Run or walk to honor Dr. King’s legacy; various distances available. findarace.com (UK)
- Community Day: Martin Luther King Jr. – Vision in Action
- Date & Time: Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 1:00 pm
- Location: Newark Public Library – Main Branch, Newark, NJ
- Details: Commemorative lecture with Kevin Powell. Eventbrite
- Jersey Cares Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
- Date & Time: Monday, January 20, 2025
- Location: Various locations across New Jersey
- Details: Statewide service projects embodying Dr. King’s vision. Jersey Cares
- MLK Day Run 2025 in Newark
- Date & Time: Monday, January 20, 2025
- Location: Starting at Military Park, Newark, NJ
- Details: Run and walk event with stops at MLK monuments in Newark. NorthJersey.com
- MLK Weekend Interactive Workshops in New Jersey
- Date & Time: Saturday, January 18, to Monday, January 20, 2025
- Location: Various venues across New Jersey
- Details: Free interactive workshops and service projects for families. Mommy Poppins
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Museum of the City of New York
- Date & Time: Monday, January 20, 2025
- Location: Museum of the City of New York, New York, NY
- Details: Educational programs and activities honoring Dr. King’s legacy.
- MLK Day Panel Discussion at the Schomburg Center
- Date & Time: Monday, January 20, 2025
- Location: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Harlem, NY
- Details: Panel discussion on civil rights and social justice.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day Concert at Carnegie Hall
