On Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, our nation honors perhaps the greatest Civil Rights activist: Martin Luther King Jr.
In southeast Michigan, local spots do their part by offering plenty of family-friendly Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in celebration of this man and all he accomplished.
Here, you will find a list of inspiring speeches, craft activities, exhibits and more in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties, and beyond to commemorate Dr. King.
Search the list and find the right way to teach your kids about the Civil Rights movement, and bring up conversations about race and racism, this MLK Day.
United We Walk at West Bloomfield Middle School
Jan. 15, 2023
- Address: 6000 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township
- Cost: Free
Participants celebrate MLK Jr.’s birthday at the 29th annual walk at West Bloomfield Middle School. This year’s theme is, “I Have A Dream…1963-2023.”
20th Annual Detroit MLK Day Rally & March at St. Matthew’s-St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 8850 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: Free
Join the Detroit Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Committee for the 20th Annual March and Rally. The theme this year is “Six Decades of Mass Movements, The Struggle Continues.” The event will feature speakers and artists active in the movements.
Celebrate MLK Day at Clinton-Macomb Public Library – North Branch
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 54100 Broughton Road, Macomb
- Cost: Free
Ages 3-12 are invited to North Branch to hear a story and make a craft to celebrate the life and contributions of Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King: Birthday Celebration at the Fox Theatre
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: Free
Join Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. as he hosts “Let Freedom Ring,” a free public event on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
King: A Filmed Record… Montgomery to Memphis at the Detroit Film Theatre
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: Free w/general admission and for residents of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties
See rare footage of Dr. King’s speeches, protests and arrests at this showing of King: A Filmed Record… Montgomery to Memphis. The film is 185 minutes long and includes an intermission.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
- Cost: Free admission and parking
Celebrate MLK’s life with free admission to the museum, historical presentations, artifacts and hands-on fun. Registration required.
MLK Children and Youth Program at University of Michigan – Modern Language Building
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 812 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor
- Cost: Free
This youth program for MLK Day features performances by Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, Elizabeth James, Reverend Jones and Rock Williamson.
MLK Community Prayer Breakfast at Thurston High School
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 26255 Schoolcraft Road, Redford
- Cost: $10/person
Enjoy the 25th annual MLK Jr. Community Prayer Breakfast at Thurston High School. They will be accepting donations for personal care items.
MLK Day at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit
- Cost: Free with museum admission: $15/ages 13-61, $12/ages 3-12 and 62-plus, free/under 3
Families can enjoy an MLK event that features educational workshops and programming, lecture, film and a prayer breakfast.
MLK Day Celebration with Akili Jackson at Ypsilanti District Library-Superior
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 1900 N. Harris Road, Ypsilanti
- Cost: Free
Join the library for a celebration of the vision and life of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement.
MLK Day Ceremony and Candlelight Walk at The Roeper School
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 41190 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills
- Cost: Free
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with workshops, treats, entertainment, candlelight walk and a ceremony.
MLK Day Community Celebration at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 50400 Cherry Hill Road, Canton
- Cost: Free
Honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a community celebration at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill. Pre-event features light refreshments and viewing of P-CCS student art. The main stage event will include P-CCS student presentations, as well as a special performance by the Stan Barnes and Friends band.
MLK Family Day at Painting with a Twist in Ferndale
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 200 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale
- Cost: $32/person
Create your own MLK Day masterpiece at this Ferndale spot. Good for ages 7-plus. Registration required.
MLK Peace Walk & Ceremony at Hope United Methodist Church
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 26275 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield
- Cost: Free
This 38th annual commemorates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s theme will be “The Global Impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
MLK Service Project at Ypsilanti District Library-Michigan Avenue
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti
- Cost: Free
Help sew fleece hats to give to Hope Clinic and Demonic. Donate trial-size hygiene products to give away as well.
Robert Jones & Matt Watroba at The Ark
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor
- Cost: $20/general admission, $10/students
Come out to the Ark to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with musical partners, Robert Jones and Matt Watroba.
Storyteller Gwendolyn Lewis as Coretta Scott King at the Chelsea District Library
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 221 S. Main St., Chelsea
- Cost: Free
Celebrate MLK Day and learn more about the Civil Rights Movement from the perspective of Dr. King’s wife, Coretta Scott King.
Looking for another way to celebrate MLK Day this year? Check out our list of at-home day of service ideas for more.
This post was originally published in 2016 and is updated regularly.
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