Looking for the best events and things to do on Martin Luther King Jr. Day? We’ve got you covered! With the variety of activities and events happening throughout New York City, spending the day in NYC for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a great idea. You can honor Dr. King’s legacy at a number of powerful community events, then get out into those communities to do the work that King himself advocated for.
What is Martin Luther King Day?
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the most active voices in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. He campaigned against racial segregation and worked to bring about racial equality before he was assassinated on April 4th, 1968. To commemorate his life and legacy, including his iconic “I have a dream”-speech, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established on the Monday that falls near King’s January 15th birthday.
A tireless advocate for nonviolence and the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, King’s work lives on up to this day. To celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a federal holiday designated as a national day of service. In New York City, schools and federal buildings are closed, while commemorative events are held all weekend long.
Martin Luther King Day is one of our favorite events in January in New York.
When is Martin Luther King Day 2026?
This year, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is on Monday, January 19, 2026. It is a day to commemorate the civil rights leader and activist’s legacy.
The Best Martin Luther King Day Events in NYC
Given that it is a day of service, a natural way to honor King’s legacy would be to follow suit and do an act of service of your own. However you decide to do that, whether it’s cleaning up a park, offering to mentor the youth in your area, lending a helping hand to someone in need, or donating your time in another way, it’s sure to have an impact.
That could also mean participating in an official event like Hunger Free America’s MLK Serve-A-Thon in NYC, which takes place January 16 – 19, 2026.
Another way to honor King’s legacy would be to visit NYC for MLK Jr. Day to participate in events that keep his work alive. In celebrating his ideals and in joining in with the community, you can help to ensure that legacy continues. With events ranging from the World Famous Harlem Gospel Choir to the family-friendly Brooklyn Children’s Museum celebrating King’s legacy through “interactive performances, protest marches, community art programs, and volunteer projects”- there are meaningful events all throughout the city.
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Annual Celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Apollo Theatre
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Harlem & Washington HeightsProbably the most famous attraction in Harlem is the Apollo Theater 253 W 125th St: it is known worldwide for its jazz, soul, and blues concerts. The Apollo Theater is where the careers of many world stars began, including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Billie Holiday. Later it was also the big stage for numerous Motown artists like Diana Ross, the Jackson 5, and the Supremes.
This year, Apollo Education invites everyone to participate in the MLK Young Changemakers Event, which honors Dr. King’s legacy in a modern context. The event includes talks in which young local and national leaders discuss the importance of environmental and food justice for our lives and communities, as part of National Youth Day of Service.
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Learn more about Harlem at this Gospel Multimedia Walking Tour
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Harlem & Washington Heights
Enjoy the sounds of one of NYC’s famous gospel choirs, learn about the history of gospel and explore beautiful Brooklyn during this unique tour. The tour starts at 104 Malcolm X Blvd in Harlem.
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Celebrate MLK Day at Brooklyn Children’s Museum
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Dumbo
The Brooklyn Children’s museum was founded in 1899 and was the first museum developed only for kids. With many permanent exhibitions and attractions, there is always something to see or do here. Overall, it’s a great place for family outings with the young ones.
Children are encouraged to play and experience numerous activities and exhibitions.
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Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Fort GreeneThe largest public celebration honoring Martin Luther King is hosted by the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The 39th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Martin Luther King will be held on January 20, 2025).
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Explore Harlem’s most vibrant neighborhoods with this walking tour
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Harlem & Washington Heights
This insider walking tour will teach you all about Harlem’s diverse cultural and social history. It will take you to the Mount Morris Historic District, which will be introduced to you by a New York guide. You will be surprised how elegant the houses are here and how much history this part of New York City will tell you. Really exciting!
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Enjoy Central Park in Winter during MLK …
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Midtown ManhattanOur Highlight
Central Park should not be missing from any Things to Do in New York in winter! The green lung of the city turns into a true winter wonderland during the cold season. It is therefore also a popular destination for New Yorkers. Stroll through the park under snow-covered trees and let yourself be enchanted by the play of lights on the frozen water surfaces in the evening.
Walking through Central Park in the cold is magical! If there’s snow, it’s even more amazing.
If you want to be more adventurous, start in Harlem and walk down Central Park towards Midtown. Too often we catch ourselves starting on Fifth Avenue at the Plaza Hotel in Central Park. There is so much more to explore than just that part of Central Park.
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Activism: MLK Day of Service at Snug Harbor
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Staten Island
Staten Island, New York: Pond in the New York Chinese Scholars Garden, a walled garden built in 1998 at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden.
Join the MLK Day of Service at Snug Harbor Coastal Cleanup, located at Snug Harbor North Gate on Richmond Terrace within the Snug Harbor Cultural Center on Staten Island.
From 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., be a part of the volunteer team with the Stewardship Team and contribute to the preservation of coastal areas at Snug Harbor. Your efforts will involve clearing debris from the coastline, fostering a healthier ecosystem in the process. Best of all, it’s a free event!
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day School Holiday in Prospect Park
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Park Slope
The Prospect Park Alliance invites you to participate in nature education programs at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, the first urban Audubon Center in the United States. Visitors can explore seasonal discovery stations, analyze water samples, and learn more about the park’s flora and fauna. Highlights include an animal encounter at 2 p.m. and a winter hiking program at 3 p.m., which focuses on tracking in the snow and the survival techniques of trees and insects in winter.
