Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is observed on the third Monday of January each year, around the time of Dr. King's birthday on January 15th. It is a federal holiday and all public schools, post offices, and government buildings will be closed.
In New York City, there are several ways to honor Dr. King on his birthday.
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
In honor of Dr. King's achievements in bringing people together to address important community issues, thousands will gather on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to participate in community service projects. The slogan is: “A day ON, not a day OFF.” Find a community service project in New York City. - Procession and Vigil in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.
On Sunday evening, artists and activists will gather for a procession to Riverside Church and a candlelight vigil featuring performances and remarks by Patti Smith, Yoko Ono, Russell Simmons, and many others. - See Samuel L. Jackson as Martin Luther King, Jr. On Broadway in The Mountaintop
See Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett in Katori Hall's The Mountaintop on Broadway. The play reimagines the events of April 3, 1968 and Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.'s encounter with a mysterious stranger the night before his assassination. The Mountaintop runs through January 22nd. - Artists Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.
Honor the life and work of Dr Martin Luther King with a free celebratory night of music featuring the powerful work of artists whose vision coincides with King's voice for justice, peace and civil rights.
Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space
2537 Broadway at 95th St., 646-505-4493
Monday, January 16, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
FREE admission - Make a Difference Pledge at the Children's Museum of Manhattan
Teach your children about Dr. King's legacy and the role children can play in making a difference during a visit to the Children's Museum. Your child can make a pledge to make a difference in your neighborhood or community.
Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St. between Broadway and Amsterdam, 212-721-1234
January 15-16, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Museum admission is $10, free for museum members and children under one. - Martin Luther King, Jr. Walking Tour of Harlem
NYC Discovery Walking Tours will mark the birth of Dr. King with a tour of Harlem that will include stops at the Apollo Theatre, Lenox Lounge (where Billie Holiday performed), and the site of the NYC assassination attempt.
NYC Discovery Walking Tours -- Martin Luther King Weekend in Harlem
Saturday, January 14 and Sunday, January 15 at 2 p.m.
Cost is $18 per person, call 212-465-3331 to make reservations and find out the meeting place. - A Communal Celebration In Honor Of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Join the Jewish Community Center for a day of community service in honor of Dr. King. New Yorkers of all ages can team up on volunteer projects, give blood, or donate warm coats for kids.
Jewish Community Center
334 Amsterdam Avenue at West 76th Street
January 16, 2012, all day.
FREE admission
Call 646-505-5708 for more information - Free Admission to All National Parks
All 397 national parks across the country will offer free admission from January 14 through 16 to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Did you know that there are 10 National Parks with 22 unique destinations in New York City and northern New Jersey? Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the African Burial Ground National Monument, Castle Clinton, or Theodore Roosevelt's birthplace on East 20th Street.
All U.S. National Parks
January 14-16, 2012, all day.
FREE admission
Call 212-668-5180 for more information - New York University's Annual MLK Celebration Week
New York University is hosting an entire week of events in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. The week's schedule includes lectures, exhibits, film screenings, community service initiatives, and more. This year's event is happening during African Heritage Month in Februrary, commemorating the February 10, 1961 speech delivered by Martin Luther King, Jr. on the NYU campus.
New York University 2012 MLK Celebration Week
February 6-11, 2012
Most events are free and open to the public. See the NYU calendar for more details. - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Brooklyn -- Check out About.com's guide to MLK Day events in Brooklyn.
