Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026
Events around St. Louis
Each year, communities come together to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a pivotal leader of the Civil Rights Movement whose work helped advance justice, equality, and voting rights across the nation. Established as a federal holiday in 1983, MLK Day is both a remembrance of Dr. King’s impact and a call to continue his commitment to service, unity, and meaningful change.
From reflection to action, St. Louis marks the day with events that inspire progress. Read on to discover how you can participate and help carry that legacy forward.
- With Liberty and Justice for All: MLK in STL
- Friday, January 16 & Saturday, January 17 | 10am–1pm
- January’s History Exploration Days will explore the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and how civil rights movements in St. Louis and across the nation worked to ensure all people realize the promise of American ideals.
- Missouri History Museum – 5700 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112
- January’s History Exploration Days will explore the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and how civil rights movements in St. Louis and across the nation worked to ensure all people realize the promise of American ideals.
- Friday, January 16 & Saturday, January 17 | 10am–1pm
- 2026 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration—The Dream Reimagined: Youth Voices Uplifted
- Sunday, January 18, 2026 | 2 – 3:30pm
- St. Louis Poet Laureate Pacia Elaine Anderson will lead a poetic journey influenced by Moneta Sleet Jr.’s photographs of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement, in conjunction with performances by young people from multiple local schools and performing arts institutions. The program’s artistic director, Kathryn Bentley, will host this inspiring celebration featuring music, theater, and dance performed by some of the area’s most gifted youth.
- The Farrell Auditorium – One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park,
St. Louis, Missouri 63110-1380
- The Farrell Auditorium – One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park,
- St. Louis Poet Laureate Pacia Elaine Anderson will lead a poetic journey influenced by Moneta Sleet Jr.’s photographs of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement, in conjunction with performances by young people from multiple local schools and performing arts institutions. The program’s artistic director, Kathryn Bentley, will host this inspiring celebration featuring music, theater, and dance performed by some of the area’s most gifted youth.
- Sunday, January 18, 2026 | 2 – 3:30pm
- Annual Peace and Justice Mass
- Sunday, January 18, 2026 | 2:30pm
- Join us for the 51st annual celebration of the Archdiocesan Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice on the holiday weekend commemorating the birth and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Most Reverend Mitchell Rozanski, celebrant.
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, 4431 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108
- Join us for the 51st annual celebration of the Archdiocesan Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice on the holiday weekend commemorating the birth and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Most Reverend Mitchell Rozanski, celebrant.
- Sunday, January 18, 2026 | 2:30pm
- 24th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute
- Sunday, January 18, 2026 | 6pm
- Our Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute event is always free to the public. This year’s program will feature motivational speakers, music, and praise dance. Light refreshments to follow.
- Hazelwood Civic Center East, 8969 Dunn Rd, Hazelwood, MO 63042-2076, United States
- Our Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute event is always free to the public. This year’s program will feature motivational speakers, music, and praise dance. Light refreshments to follow.
- Sunday, January 18, 2026 | 6pm
- 41st Annual Bayer YMCA MLK Commermorative Breakfast
- Monday, January 19, 2026 | 7:30-9:30am
- This free community event celebrates 41 years of honoring the life, teachings, and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s theme, “Mission Possible II: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way,” inspired by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, is more than a phrase—it’s a call to action. It invites everyone to help build the Beloved Community envisioned by Dr. King, where injustice ends, violence is replaced by compassion, and love becomes the prevailing force. Note: Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to a local food pantry.
- Marriott St. Louis Airport, 10700 Pear Tree Ln, St. Louis, MO 63134
- This free community event celebrates 41 years of honoring the life, teachings, and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s theme, “Mission Possible II: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way,” inspired by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, is more than a phrase—it’s a call to action. It invites everyone to help build the Beloved Community envisioned by Dr. King, where injustice ends, violence is replaced by compassion, and love becomes the prevailing force. Note: Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to a local food pantry.
- Monday, January 19, 2026 | 7:30-9:30am
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Monday, January 19, 2026 | 10am – 4pm
- As part of our MLK Community Celebration, celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.! Families are invited to join us for youth activism workshops, meaningful conversations on race and social justice, interactive storytelling, movement workshops, and crafts.
- MacDermott Grand Hall, Missouri History Museum – 5700 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112
- As part of our MLK Community Celebration, celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.! Families are invited to join us for youth activism workshops, meaningful conversations on race and social justice, interactive storytelling, movement workshops, and crafts.
- Monday, January 19, 2026 | 10am – 4pm
- MLK Day of Service Event
- Monday, January 19, 2026 | 10am-1pm
- Join us as we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, along with all courageous African leaders who have fought for African community self-determination and self-reliance. This dynamic morning will include historic film clips, delicious treats by our own Uhuru Bakery & Cafe, an overview of the volunteer opportunities in our community that build power back in our own hands. Keynote presentation by Chairman Omali Yeshitela, the living legacy and leader of the Black Power Movement today. Reserve your spot today!
- Akwaaba Hall at the Uhuru House, 4101 W Florissant Ave, St. Louis, MO 63115
- Join us as we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, along with all courageous African leaders who have fought for African community self-determination and self-reliance. This dynamic morning will include historic film clips, delicious treats by our own Uhuru Bakery & Cafe, an overview of the volunteer opportunities in our community that build power back in our own hands. Keynote presentation by Chairman Omali Yeshitela, the living legacy and leader of the Black Power Movement today. Reserve your spot today!
- Monday, January 19, 2026 | 10am-1pm
- 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
- Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | 5pm – 7pm
- This in-person event will include inspiring speeches, celebrating excellence in the community with a formal award presentation, and more. The keynote speaker for this year’s event is Kimberly Norwood, JD, Washington University Henry H. Oberschelp Professor of Law, who will speak on the celebration’s theme, Mentoring the Dream: Leading with Light and Love.
- Terry M. Fischer Theatre lobby, St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley, 3400 Pershall Road
- This in-person event will include inspiring speeches, celebrating excellence in the community with a formal award presentation, and more. The keynote speaker for this year’s event is Kimberly Norwood, JD, Washington University Henry H. Oberschelp Professor of Law, who will speak on the celebration’s theme, Mentoring the Dream: Leading with Light and Love.
- Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | 5pm – 7pm
- Washington University Drum Major Award Ceremony
- Friday, January 23, 2026 | 12pm – 1:30pm
- In a 1968 sermon in Atlanta titled “The Drum Major Instinct,” Dr. King said, “Yes, if you want to say I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness.” Inspired by these words, we aim to recognize individuals in the WashU Medicine community who embody Dr. King’s spirit by leading community-wide service projects, serving as mentors, and standing up against injustices. The Drum Major Award Ceremony will celebrate these upstanders in 2026 with refreshments, snacks, photo booths, and more. Food will be provided, and all are welcome to join us in honoring and celebrating Drum Majors across our campus community!
- Holden Auditorium, Farrell Learning & Teaching Center (FLTC), 660 S. Euclid, St. Louis, MO 63110
- In a 1968 sermon in Atlanta titled “The Drum Major Instinct,” Dr. King said, “Yes, if you want to say I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness.” Inspired by these words, we aim to recognize individuals in the WashU Medicine community who embody Dr. King’s spirit by leading community-wide service projects, serving as mentors, and standing up against injustices. The Drum Major Award Ceremony will celebrate these upstanders in 2026 with refreshments, snacks, photo booths, and more. Food will be provided, and all are welcome to join us in honoring and celebrating Drum Majors across our campus community!
- Friday, January 23, 2026 | 12pm – 1:30pm