25 Martin Luther King, Jr. Events in Massachusetts

From traditional NAACP breakfasts to community art-making, special performances, and service projects, this roundup of 25 Massachusetts Martin Luther King, Jr. events is your perfect starting point to plan meaningful celebrations, and inspire conversations, with your family.

Wednesday, January 15

1. Bright Star Touring Theatre presents "The Struggle for Freedom," a dramatic retelling of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., followed by a free hot meal with friends and neighbors (Boston)

Thursday, January 16

2. Attend this free event celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with community leaders, elected officials, and residents from Boston's 27 neighborhoods at the King Room in the Omni Parker House (Boston)

Saturday, January 18

3. Join a discussion on Dr. King's essay, “The Purpose of Education” written when he was a student at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA, and delve into the topic of education and its relevance to today’s social and economic environments (Lexington)

Ongoing January 18-20

4. Create art to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., at this I Have a Dream workshop (Arlington)

Sunday, January 19

5. Take part in a reflection on the impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on American life and politics through poetry, prose, and personal experience (Boston)

6. Examine the lives and times of African-Americans buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery who were born into slavery and fled to the North to forge new lives as free citizens with Stories From The African-American Heritage Trail (Cambridge)

Monday, January 20

7. Belmont's annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Breakfast features keynote speaker Ragini Shah, Suffolk Law Professor and Immigration Lawyer, who will speak on "Uplifting the Human Personality: What Martin Luther King teaches us about immigrants’ rights today” (Belmont)

8. Enjoy special performances by artists committed to social justice and service, join in hands-on service projects, attend a kids’ social justice workshop, and receive free admission at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston)

9. The ICA is offering free admission for all on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Boston)

10. Fenway Community Center hosts age-appropriate activities for younger children to celebrate the spirit of service inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., including a read-aloud about Dr. King and birthday cake (Boston)

11. Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra performs their free Annual MLK, Jr. Tribute Concert at Faneuil Hall (Boston)

12. Participate in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service with a school beautification project, letter-writing to veterans, and assembling homeless kits for the winter (Boston)

13. The multicultural Benkadi Drum and Dance group returns to perform new dances showcasing traditional West African rhythms and movements in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Boston)

14. Attend the 34th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. NAACP Breakfast (Brockton)

15. Take in poetry, music and the inspirational words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the 2020 Town of Brookline MLK Day Celebration (Brookline)

16. Belmont World Film's 17th Annual Family Festival honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a special film presentation of the ideals, people, and music connected to him (Cambridge)

17. Emily Bernard shares from her book Black is the Body: Stories from My Grandmother’s Time, My Mother’s Time, and Mine at this MLK Day Celebration (Cambridge)

18. Join an interactive panel and discussion about Thoreau and King's civil disobedience legacy at Walden Pond (Concord)

19. Littles can use arts and building supplies to create a masterpiece based on their dreams of the future at this Dream Big Martin Luther King, Jr. Day program (Easton)

20. Attend a talk focused on The Necessity of Discussing Race and Racism with Your Family at Home, then take part in this day of service (Lexington)

21. Participate in a community art piece at the Children’s Museum in Easton to show how individuals are stronger when we stand as one (North Easton)

22. Create a community mosaic, enjoy musical performances, and absorb inspiring words on the topic of social justice at a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration (Somerville)

23. Take in free performances, readings, artwork, and speaking on the theme “Anyone Can Serve” in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King and their work promoting civil and human rights for all (Wakefield)

24. The 20th Anniversary Watertown Unity Breakfast offers a family-friendly program with art, essays, and music, a keynote focused on using Dr. King's principles of nonviolence for resolving conflict, childcare for younger kids with themed activities, and a hearty breakfast provided by the Watertown Deluxe Diner (Watertown)

Thursday, January 23

25. Honor Martin Luther King, Jr. with a special presentation and discussion of the themes present in his book “Strength to Love” (Cambridge)