Martin Luther King Jr. Day is coming up on Monday, January 16th! The holiday is nationally recognized as a day of service and remembering MLK's legacy, so we've created a list of ways to participate in Dallas!
Updated January 2024
Day of Reflection, Prayer & Dedication
Join the city of Dallas in a day of uplifting others! Religious leaders from multiple denominations will be leading prayers for the safety and future of Dallas and it’s communities. After the ceremonies, wreaths will be laid in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s cause and impact.
Date & Time: January 9th from 11am to 1pm
Location: MLK Jr. Community Center
Price: Free
Candle Lighting Ceremony
A local chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity will be leading a ceremony honoring MLK’s life and legacy, through the lighting of hundreds of candles!
Date & Time: January 12th from 7pm to 8:30pm
Location: MLK Recreation Center
Price: Free
MLK HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE
Celebrating MLK’s life and legacy with a special performance from Dallas Black Dance Theatre!
Date & Time: January 12th from 7pm to 10pm
Location: DeSoto High School Fred Nickels Auditorium
Price: $5 to $15
CIVIL RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM
Explore the local legacy of Martin Luther King and Juanita J. Craft! The symposium will feature two panels: "MLK in Dallas: Dr. King's Visits, and the Community Response,", followed by "It Starts With Me: Youth Activism in 21st-Century Dallas". The conversations will explore both the history and future of Dallas civil rights movements!
Date & Time: January 13th from 10am to 4pm
Location: Dallas African American Museum
Price: Free
Job Fair
Bring your resume and get ready to meet with dozens of local employers! Come ready to interview, many of the open job positions have an immediate opening.
Date & Time: January 10th from 11am to 3pm
Location: The Hall of State at Fair Park
Price: Free
Keep Up The Dream: MLK Fest
Help give back and join in a community cleanup of the South Side of Dallas! T-shirts, trash pick-up supplies, and lunch will be provided.
Date & Time: January 13th from 9am to 2pm
Location: MLK Jr. Community Center
Price: Free
REALIZING THE DREAM HEALTHY LIVING EXPO
With a mission to build strong families and communities, this expo will feature health screenings, wellness and financial literacy workshops, vendor marketplace, performances & more!
Date & Time: January 15th from 10am to 5pm
Location: Dallas African American Museum
Price: Free
MLK Day Parade
*rescheduled due to weather*
Celebrate MLK by watching the parade, featuring dozens of floats, performers, and local organizations! The parade will start at the corner of Robert B Cullum Blvd and MLK Jr. Blvd, and go throughout the area before ending at Fair Park.
Date & Time: January 20th at 9am (previously January 15th at 10am)
Location: Fair Park
Price: Free
MLK DAY FREEDOM RUN
Celebrate freedom through movement! Run a 5k, 10k, or half marathon, and receive swag like a t-shirt and finishers medal.
Date & Time: January 20th at 7:30am
Location: Trinity River Trail, Fort Worth
Price: Varies
