How to celebrate MLK Jr. Day in Baltimore

Celebrate and remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at these events in Baltimore.

Saturday: MLK Jr. Day Celebration at The Walters

The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be explored through poetry and music at the MLK Jr. Day Celebration at The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. Unique Robinson, a poet and professor, will emcee and read poetry selections. The event is free, but registration is required. blackbaudhosting.com/

Saturday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday: Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Baltimore, MD--January 18, 2016--Left to right: Volunteers: Lilly Su of Taiwan, Ash Panakam of Atlanta, Vijay Ramasamy of Kansas City and Audrey Garman of Seattle (all are Johns Hopkins University students) prepare a meal for the Baltimore Station program during the MLK Day of Service at Saints Phillip and James Catholic Church. Here, they make brownies in the church kitchen. Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun — Barbara Haddock Taylor / Baltimore Sun

Student volunteers from Johns Hopkins University prepare brownies during the MLK Day of Service at Saints Phillip and James Catholic Church. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/File Photo)

Sign up to join one of the many volunteer projects across the state organized by the United Way of Central Maryland in partnership with the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation. The service opportunities include efforts to address high-impact issues affecting Marylanders the most, from housing and mental health to food access and transportation. Both in-person and virtual projects are available and include events like building bicycles, creating gardening beds and packing hygiene kits. Volunteers can sign up at uwcm.org.

Monday

Monday: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade

A float displays a photo of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during Baltimore's MLK Day Parade honoring the slain civil rights leader. — Algerina Perna / Baltimore Sun

A float displays a photo of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 2023 Baltimore’s MLK Day Parade honoring the slain civil rights leader.

Watch the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in downtown Baltimore. Grand Marshall and American bodybuilder Ernestine Shepherd will lead the parade at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Eutaw Street. The city of Baltimore and Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts produced and supported the event.

Monday 12 p.m.

Monday: MLK Dare to Dream Day

Celebrate Dr. King’s life and legacy at “MLK Dare to Dream Day” at the American Visionary Arts Museum, AVAM, 800 Key Hwy. Tour the museum, enjoy live music and dancing performances, open mic, poetry slam and more. Admission is free. avam.org

Monday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday: King Day at Lewis Museum

Experience Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Maryland’s Year of Civil Rights through art, music and storytelling at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, 830 E. Pratt St. Listen to a choral performance by the Carter Legacy Singers, learn about the Montgomery Bus Boycott from Deborah Pierce-Fakunle and Dr. David Fakunle, a mother-and-son storytellers known as Dr. Mama, or immerse yourself in a virtual reality program, “I Am A Man,” and explore the Memphis Sanitation Workers protest. Admission is free. lewismuseum.org/event/king-day/

Monday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday: MLK Tribute Concert

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will perform a tribute concert to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Freedom Seekers of the Underground Railroad at the B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt St. The concert features the world premiere of “Network to Freedom,” by Wordsmith. Tickets are free. borail.org

Monday 7 p.m.