This weekend begins a series of celebrations leading to Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 19. The parades, marches, celebrations and more honor the man and his nonviolent approach in the civil rights movement. His legacy also is honored by marking MLK Jr. Day as a day of service.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent questions is: ‘What are you doing for others?’ “–– Martin Luther King Jr.
Find volunteer opportunities via Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service – MLK toolkits or groups like VolunteerMatch.org.
Here are some events, parades and opportunities for celebrating the holiday.
Make it a Day On, Not a Day Off.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service – MLK Day calls for Americans from all walks of life to make a difference by volunteering. Rather than just taking the day off, many will take the opportunity to serve their communities.
Monday, Jan. 19
Annual MLK Community March and Festival, Austin: The Annual Community March begins at the Martin Luther King Jr. statue at the University of Texas-Austin to Huston-Tillotson University to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy while uplifting diversity and multi-culturalism. The march kicks off at 9 a.m.with a short program at the MLK Statue on the University of Texas campus. The MLK Community Festival kicks off as soon the march arrives on location and will last until 3 p.m.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration March/Parade, Dallas: This 3-mile march and parade honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., starts at 10 a.m. on the east side of City Hall Plaza at Forest Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and ending at the entrance of Fair Park.
MLK Celebration and Parade, Freeport: Celebrate the holiday honoring the birthday of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with an 11 a.m. downtown parade ending in Freeport Municipal Park.
22nd Annual MLK Grande Parade, Houston: One of the biggest events in the nation held in Martin Luther King Jr.’s honor, the 21st Annual MLK Grande Parade begins at 10 a.m. in Midtown at San Jacinto and Elgin streets. Includes more than 200 performing groups and award-winning marching bands from across the nation.
MLK March, Hallsville: Beginning at 5:15 p.m. at the Hallsville Sub-Courthouse on U.S. 80, this march moves on to Galilee Baptist Church, 404 Galilee Road. A service will follow at the church at 6 p.m.
