Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2024
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is Jan. 15 this year. Honor the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with these events around New York.
Psst… Here are some expert tips for winter skin care!
Click on your preferred region to jump down to that section:
Manhattan
MoMA MLK Family Day
The Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St., Midtown West
Saturday, Jan. 13, 1 – 4 pm
Ages 6 and older
Free
Advanced registration required
Celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by learning, creating, and volunteering as a family.
Learn about MLK’s relationship to climate justice with Ki Gross from Woke Kindergarten, design and build a model of a structure to improve your community, and take action by packaging hygiene kits for unhoused neighbors with Repair the World.
The Movement
Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, Upper West Side
Saturday, Jan. 13, 2 pm & 7 pm; Monday, Jan. 15, 1 pm & 4:30 pm.
All ages
$15
This poignant a cappella musical brings to life the 1963 Children’s Crusade, a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement.
Studio Art Session: Dream Collage Books
The Jewish Museum, 1109 5th Ave., Upper East Side
Sunday, Jan. 14, 12 – 3 pm
Ages 3 and older
Free with Museum Admission: $8-$18; free for ages 18 and younger.
Use collage to create a dream book that incorporates the words of Martin Luther King Jr. with images that inspire peace and beauty.
WNYC & The Apollo present Apollo Uptown Hall: The Inconvenient King
Apollo Theater, 253 West 125th St., New York City, NY 10027, Harlem
Sunday, Jan. 14, 2 pm
Ages 12 and older
Free
Advanced registration required
The Apollo partners with WNYC in the 18th annual celebration of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his enduring legacy on the culture.
This year’s presentation focuses on a renewed commitment to understanding the context, confronting the complexity, and elevating our collective consciousness in the face of injustice and discrimination.
NPR’s Notes from America host, Kai Wright moderates the first hour of this year’s celebration. Music, spoken word and other forms of creative expression round out the afternoon.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Jackie Robinson Museum, 75 Varick St., SoHo
Monday, Jan. 15, 12 – 3 pm
All ages
$15-$18; free for children younger than 5
Learn about Jackie Robinson and Dr. King’s close friendship and their collaboration during landmark campaigns of the Civil Rights Movement.
Join one of the guided museum tours showcasing stories and artifacts representing Jackie Robinson and Dr. King’s collaboration, learn about the significance of key songs and musical styles to the Robinson family and the Movement, and Speak Out! through hands-on craft activities for all ages.
Plus, win prizes at the trivia game and museum scavenger hunt.
The World Famous Harlem Gospel Choir: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Matinee
Sony Hall, 235 W 46th St, Midtown
Monday, Jan. 15, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
All ages
$28
The world-famous Harlem Gospel Choir presents the finest singers and musicians from Harlem’s Black Churches and the New York/Tri-State area.
The Choir was founded in 1986 by Allen Bailey, who got the idea for the Choir while attending a celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Cotton Club in Harlem.
The Harlem Gospel Choir has shared its message of love and inspiration with thousands of people from various nations and cultures and will touch the depths of your soul and lift your spirit to angelic heights, with sounds that are unfettered, joyous, and inspirational.
MLK I Have A Dream Workshop
The Craft Studio, 1657 3rd Ave., Upper East Side
Monday, Jan. 15, 4 – 5 pm
All ages
$50
Kids will engage in a thoughtful conversation as they craft on kindness, dreams they have for making the world a better place, and craft a multimedia diorama with their adaptation of a world full of love and celebrating their individuality.
Little New-Yorkers: Let Freedom Sing
New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side
Friday, Jan. 19, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Ages 3-6
Free with museum admission: $6-$24; free for children younger than 5.
The New-York Historical Society celebrates Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday by reading Let Freedom Sing written and illustrated by Vanessa Newton.
This story uses the song “This Little Light of Mine” to tell the story of the civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s. Sing along, and afterwards, create a dove paper airplane with a special message to share MLK’s words of love and hope.
Bronx
Family Art Project: Freedom Quilters of Gee’s Bend
Wave Hill, 4900 Independence Ave., Riverdale
Jan. 13-14, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am – 1 pm
All ages
Included with admission: $10; $6 students 18+ & seniors 65+; $4 children 6–18; free for children younger than 6 and members
In 1966, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited the Gee’s Bend Community in rural Alabama and the Freedom Quilting Bee was established.
The bold patterns and bright colors of these now-famous quilts made from fabric scraps would later go on to fund aspects of the community’s freedom. Create your own fabric collage to honor Dr. King’s birthday and the inspiring women quilters of Gee’s Bend.
Riverdale Y MLK Day of Service: Rise Against Hunger
The Riverdale YM-YWHA, 5625 Arlington Ave., Riverhead
Monday, Jan. 15, 8 am – 1 pm
Ages 3 to 13 with a chaperone, ages 14 and above welcome without an adult present.
Free
Pack 20,000 lbs. of meals to address food insecurity locally and globally.
Brooklyn
Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave, Crown Heights
Jan. 14-15, Sunday and Monday, 10 am – 5 pm
Ages 12 and younger
$15; free for BCM members.
Celebrate the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through interactive performances, protest marches, community art programs, and volunteer projects.
Each day of the festival features shadow puppet performances produced by Nehprii Amenii, music and protest marching with Brooklyn-based musician Fyütch, community art-making projects, and more.
BAMkids Celebrates MLK Day 2024: Small Things in Great Ways
BAM Peter Jay Sharp Building, 30 Lafayette Ave., Boerum Hill
Monday, Jan. 15, 11:30 am – 12:45 pm, 1:30 – 2:45 pm & 3 – 4:15 pm.
Ages 6 and older
Free
Advanced registration required
BAMkids pays tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through a tapestry of engaging activities that echo his message about the importance of small acts in fostering change and unity.
From a spoken word performance, to creating a community song, to contributing to a collaborative CommUNITY Banner, and more, symbolizing a commitment to making positive community changes.
MLK I Have A Dream Workshop
The Craft Studio, 295 Atlantic Ave., Crown Heights
Monday, Jan. 15, 4 – 5 pm
All ages
$50
Kids will engage in a thoughtful conversation as they craft on kindness, dreams they have for making the world a better place, and craft a multimedia diorama with their adaptation of a world full of love and celebrating their individuality.
Teen Time: MLK Facts and What’s Your Dream?
Canarsie Library, 1580 Rockaway Pkwy. at Ave. J, Canarsie
Wednesday, Jan. 17, 3:30 – 5 pm
Ages 13-18
Free
Compete for extra snacks and learn about MLK Jr. Then engage in some journaling and brainstorming about the world of your dreams.
Queens
Celebrating MLK: Crafternoon- Peace Doves
Queens Public Library- North Forest Park, 98-27 Metropolitan Avenue, Forest Hills
Tuesday, Jan. 9, 3 – 3:45 pm
Ages 6-11
Free
Make paper peace doves in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Celebrating MLK: STEM- Discovering Black Scientists
Queens Public Library- North Hills, 57-04 Marathon Pkwy, Little Neck
Friday, Jan. 12, 2:30 – 3:15 pm
Ages 6-11
Free
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, explore the contributions Black scientists have made to society through a hands-on project.
Celebrating MLK: Storytime And Craft
Queens Public Library- Flushing, 41-17 Main Street, Flushing
Friday, Jan. 12, 4 – 4:45 pm
Ages 6-11
Free
Enjoy a story time about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and do a craft.
MLK Day 2024 at Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Avenue, Astoria
Sunday, Jan. 14, 2 – 5 pm; Monday, Jan. 15, 1 – 4 pm.
All ages
Free with museum admission: $10–20; free for members.
Celebrating MLK: Celebrating What Makes You Special
Queens Public Library – Briarwood, 85-12 Main Street, Briarwood
Tuesday, Jan. 16, 3 – 3:45 pm
Ages 6-11
Free
Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by creating your own vision board on what makes you special.
Staten Island
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Sticker and Button Making
West New Brighton Library, 975 Castleton Ave., West Brighton
Thursday, Jan. 11, 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm.
Ages 12-18
Free
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, join the library for a program in which you will use the Teen Center Cameo Silhouette cutter and button maker to make your own custom Dr. MLK Jr. stickers and buttons.
MLK Day of Service: Snug Harbor Coastal Cleanup
Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Snug Harbor North Gate on Richmond Terrace, St. George
Monday, Jan. 15, 1 – 3 pm
All ages
Free
Advanced registration required
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to protect coastal areas at Snug Harbor. Help remove debris from the coastline creating a healthier ecosystem. A chaperone must accompany volunteers under 18.
Long Island
Be an Upstander
Sid Jacobson JCC, 300 Forest Drive, East Hills
Monday, Jan. 15, 9:30 am – 2 pm
All ages
Free
Honor the life and legacy of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. through service. With help from local experts, learn more about bias, bullying, and hate in our community and how, like Dr. King, we can show up to stop it.
Highlights of this day of service include an educational breakfast, hands on assembly projects, film screenings, a blood drive, food drive, clothing drive, shoe drive, and much more!
There will be events for all ages and will make a lasting impact here in the community. Through service we are living out Dr. King’s dream.
Sharing Kindness
Friedberg JCC, 15 Neil Court, Oceanside
Monday, Jan. 15, 10 am – 1 pm
All ages
Free
Join the Friedberg JCC for a multifaceted Day of Service for all ages.
Make soup to be delivered to the hungry, create kindness kits containing travel-sized toiletries, snacks, water, and socks (items frequently needed by individuals experiencing homelessness or financial insecurity), and learn about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King.
Children will decorate kindness rocks and help paint a kindness mural in the JCC.
AdvoKids: Freedom Ring with MLK
Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City
Monday, Jan. 15, 11 am & 1 pm.
Ages 5 and older
Admission $17 plus plus $4 or $3 LICM members.
During this workshop visitors will learn about MLK beyond his I Have a Dream speech and gain a better understanding of his impact on the Civil Rights Movement.
Visitors will also participate in a gallery walk of images from the Civil Rights Movement. Visitors will then create a bell to “let freedom ring.”
Dream Big! Thank You, Dr. King!
Long Beach Public Library, 111 West Park Ave., Long Beach
Monday, Jan. 15, 1 – 1:45 pm
Ages 3-12
Free
Registration is Encouraged
Join the library for a celebration of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as they read a book about the man himself and work together to show our Big Dreams! Work on a communal mural for the Youth Services Art Gallery that shows our hopes and dreams for the future!
Rockland/Bergen
I Have A Dream Day
Valley Cottage Library, 110 NY-303, Valley Cottage
Monday, Jan. 15, 12 – 3 pm
All ages
Free
Celebrate and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and see local artist, Medjine Antoine, paint a portrait of Martin Luther King, Jr., enjoy live music by the Andrew Lamb Trio, and children will make a peace heart craft. Cider and cookies will be served.
Community Day Martin Luther King Jr: Vision in Action
The Newark Museum of Art, 49 Washington St. Newark
Monday, Jan. 15, 12 – 5 pm
All ages
Free
Advanced registration required
A celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, his teachings of social justice, and service to the community. This year’s Community Day features uplifting performances, hands-on activities, and opportunities to help others. There’s something for the whole family!
