Established in 1983, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrates the accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the fight for civil rights in the U.S. In addition to activities celebrating the life of Dr. King, the holiday has been combined with a national day of service to honor the spirit of his life’s work. We’ve compiled a list of events in and around Dallas this holiday weekend for you and your family to enjoy.
35th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration and Parade: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Dallas has several events scheduled for the weekend, including Monday’s annual parade, which begins at 10 a.m. at MLK and Holmes Street and ends in a festival at the Automobile Building in Fair Park.
2016 Martin Luther King, Jr., Symposium: The Dallas Institute for Humanities and Cultures presents its 11th annual symposium with a theme of “Martin Luther King, Jr., and Civil Rights in America: From Birmingham to Charleston” on Monday, Jan. 18. The event will feature musical and dramatic performances by local artists, along with a keynote address from Teju Cole, Bard College’s Distinguished Writer in Residence and Achebe Fellow. There is a cost to attend the event, however, students get in free with a valid student ID. Reserve your tickets on their website.
MLK Commemorative Program: The Patty Granville Arts Center in Garland will host The NAACP Garland Unit’s two-day celebration of the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Garland Citywide MLK Youth Choir, a 100-plus youth choir, kicks off the festivities with a concert at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 16. On Sunday, Jan. 17, Garland’s youth will display their talents in praise dance, poems and step presentations in the MLK Youth Extravaganza at 4 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.
Volunteer on MLK Day: According to Dr. King, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” The Corporation for National and Community Service provides a portal for people to search for volunteers opportunities to honor the memory of Dr. King.
