Many spots around the city are celebrating MLK Day in Philadelphia by honoring Dr. King's legacy of civic engagement and community care, and we've rounded up where to commemorate the occasion on Jan. 19 and throughout the long weekend.
The AAMP will be celebrating MLK Day all weekend long, with a series of events happening from Saturday to Monday under the theme of ‘Radical Peace’. The activation will kick off on Jan. 17 with a plant-based brunch and a screening of the 2014 film ‘Selma’, and continue on Jan. 18 with a family-friendly art-making activity inspired by the Church of the Advocate’s murals.
Then, on Monday, Jan. 19, the AAMP, in partnership with Citizens, will offer free admission to the Museum, hands-on activities for families, and Gallery Talks led by its curatorial team. That date will also hold a special visit from the Phillie Phanatic. A full schedule of activities and times can be found online.
701 Arch St., aampmuseum.org
Philadelphians can head to the National Constitution Center on Monday, Jan. 19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a day full of educational programs, immersive performances, and service-oriented activities. Highlights include a School Supplies Drive, a reading of the 'I Have a Dream' Speech, a family concert with songs inspired by the Civil Rights Era and much more. A full breakdown of activities and times can be found on the organization's official site.
525 Arch St., constitutioncenter.org
Locals can celebrate the occasion with a series of programs and events from Jan. 17 to 19 with the ESP’s Finding Justice Weekend. Activations during that time will span self-guided tours exploring how the venue’s history connects to the Civil Rights Movement, hands-on activities inspired by Langston Hughes and other poets, and a family-friendly drop-in experience with artist Mark Loughney.
Then, on MLK Day specifically (Jan. 19), locals can join in on an immersive two-hour experience exploring the ongoing struggle to hold America accountable to its founding promise—that all people are created equal and entitled to fundamental rights.
As a release notes, through music from the Black Breath Collective, along with storytelling and readings, participants will encounter the voices and actions of people who fought for civil rights and challenged the nation to live up to its ideals. Tickets are included with admission and may be purchased for in-person attendance or to join online via Zoom or YouTube.
2027 Fairmount Ave., easternstate.org
Locals will have two opportunities to honor the occasion with Volunteer Workdays in both FDR and West Fairmount Park. With the former (Jan. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon), participants can head to Meadow Lake at FDR Park to remove invasive plant species, cut vines, pick up litter and trash, and other general stewardship tasks. And with the latter, (Jan. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon), participants can join in on similar tasks and other general beautification work in and around the Parkside Evans Playground and nearby park areas. Registration for both events is available online.
The Historical Society of Frankford has partnered up with Unique Dreams, the 15th Police District, and It Takes One Village to Feed a Child for a free market on MLK Day. The occasion will provide free food, clothing, and household goods to community members, and the 15th Police District is also collecting toiletries beforehand to distribute at the event. The market will be in full swing from 1 to 3 p.m. on Jan. 19 at Unique Dreams' headquarters at the Garsed Center.
4704 Leiper St., uniquedreamsinc.com
This Monday, The Philadelphia Orchestra will present its 36th annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Tribute Concert, led by conductor Thomas Wilkins.
According to a release, the performance will include works by Black composers, including John Rosamond Johnson and James Weldon Johnson’s anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and Richard Smallwood’s “Total Praise," (both featuring the choir from the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts), plus much more. The concert will also be broadcast live on WRTI 90.1 FM. The performance is free, but Philadelphians should still register to score a ticket and a seat online.
The experience is set for 3 p.m. on MLK Day at the Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
300 S Broad St., ensembleartsphilly.org
For over 35 years, Media Fellowship House has partnered with community groups to present one of the region’s largest MLK celebrations, and 2026’s iteration holds the theme of 'Our Rights, Our Responsibility: Protecting the Promise of the Constitution.'
The program will feature a keynote address by Vince Stango, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the National Constitution Center, and will include the induction of new honorees into the MLK Spirit Hall of Fame. The event will kick off at 3 p.m., and will be followed by a community dinner from 4:30–6 p.m., at First Church Media. Note, a snow date is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24, from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
350 W. State Street, Media, mediafellowshiphouse.org
