Around America, cities come together on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to celebrate the revolutionary civil rights leader. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s life and work, there are a wide variety of events around the nation during the holiday on the third weekend of January. In Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, this year promises various family-friendly events and service projects to keep you engaged when MLK Day rolls around on January 21, 2019.

Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade

Recognized as “One of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast,” the Durham MLK Parade offers a wholesome, family-oriented, multicultural experience. This vibrant event features floats, marching bands, steppers, horses, motorcycles, school groups, and more. Admission is free and festivities begin at 12 p.m. in Durham.

Dreamfest

The Town of Cary’s Dreamfest includes a community expo, a service project at Hemlock Bluff Nature Preserve, and a Dream of Democracy March. Visitors can check the site for a comprehensive schedule of events, taking place from January 15-17.

MLK Community Day of Service

On the annual MLK Holiday, in partnership with the Triangle United Way, numerous volunteers will participate in a hands-on service project across various communities. The goal is to inspire community spirit by providing enriching experiences for volunteers of all ages, creating positive and lasting results across the Triangle region. Event locations include Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Morrisville on January 17.

He Was a Poem, He Was a Song

This annual multidisciplinary program will delve into Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy through music, poetry, and spoken word. The event features a poetry performance by Kane Smego of the Sacrificial Poets and jazz performances by Ron Baxter and Ensemble along with Joy Harrell accompanied by Marsa Whitesell. Join us from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Sonja Haynes Stone Center, UNC, Chapel Hill on January 17.

30th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Lecture

Soledad O’Brien will headline this annual lecture honoring the legacy of MLK. Tickets are required for attendance. The lecture starts at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall, Chapel Hill, on January 19.

More MLK Celebrations, Events and Activities

• UNC Chapel Hill Martin Luther King 2011 Birthday Celebration – January 16-21
• Raleigh MLK Committee Events – Also includes calendars for statewide and international events – January 14-17
• Durham Community MLK Steering Committee Events – January 8-17.