Dr. Martin Luther King Day Events in North Texas

DALLAS – North Texas communities will celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. up to MLK Day on January 20, 2025.

Monday, January 20 marks Martin Luther King Day, a federal holiday that happens to coincide with Inauguration Day this year, both listed as federal holidays.

What will be closed on January 20?

On Monday, January 20, the majority of government offices and agencies will be closed in observance of the two federal holidays.

Banks, schools and post offices will be closed nationwide on January 20 on the occasion of Martin Luther King Day.

The United States Postal Service and UPS will be closed on January 20, which means there will be no mail deliveries. However, FedEx will be operating on January 20 with modified services.

Events

Arlington

Click here to view the Four-Day Celebration Flyer.

• MLK promotes the dream galaJanuary 17, 6:30 to 9 pmEH Hereford University Center (UC), Bluebonnet Ballroom, 300 W First St., Arlington. Individual tickets are $85; Reserved tables (with space for 8 people) cost $2,000 per person. Buy tickets at UTATickets.com
• MLK Step Showcase18 January at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bowie High School, 2101 Highbank Dr., Arlington. Tickets range from $5 to $10, children 6 and under are FREE. Buy tickets at UTATickets.com Click here for the event flyer in English and in Spanish.
• MLK Story Hour18 January at 6 to 7 p.m. UTA Central Library, atrium, 702 Planetarium Pl., Arlington. Free to participate
• MLK Poetry Meets Blues and R&B18 January at 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. EH Hereford University Center (UC), Bluebonnet Ballroom, 300 W First St., Arlington. Tickets are $20. Buy tickets at UTATickets.comClick here for the event flyer
• MLK Hubert Moss Ecumenical Service19 January at 17.30 to 19.30 The service begins at 6 p.m. Guest Minister Jeff Hubbard of North Davis Church of ChristGreater Community Missionary Baptist Church (MBC), 126 E Park Row Dr., Arlington.Click here for the event flyer
• Zeb Strong Jr. MLK Day of Service20 January at 9 a.m. to noon Mission Metroplex, 400 W South St., Arlington. Register online at ArlingtonMLK.comClick here to view the event flyer
• MLK Day of Service Festival20 January at 10am to 2pm City Center Plaza, 100 S Center St., Arlington. Free to participateClick here to view the event flyer
• MLK Youth Extravaganza20 January at 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Fielder Church Metro Center, 2011 S. Fielder Rd., Arlington Free to attend
• MLK Historical Timeline Exhibit17 – 20 January Exhibited at each event See online at ArlingtonMLK.com

Carrollton

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade: The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade is Saturday, January 18 at 10 a.m. and starts behind Carrollton City Hall on Rainwater Ln. After the parade, a program begins at 11:30 a.m. in the Ted Polk Middle School auditorium. The parade is organized by Christ Community Connection, Inc. and sponsored by the City of Carrollton. More details: cityofcarrollton.com/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/48787/20

Dallas

In January 2025, the City of Dallas will host its 43rd annual celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a week of events focusing on justice, community and opportunity. This year’s theme is “The Unfinished Agenda of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Where Do We Go Now?”

• Tuesday, January 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.mDay of reflection, prayer and consecration: The city of Dallas unites in sending prayers for the city’s safety and well-being, facilitated by faith leaders. They will remember Dr. King’s life by laying wreaths symbolizing the unwavering dedication to his cause for a more just society.
• Wednesday, January 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.mJob fair: An in-person job fair held at the Briscoe Center in Fair Park in partnership with Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas featuring on-site interviews and job offers from 75 employers.
• Thursday 16 January from 12 noon to 1 pmMulticultural showcase: Join the Youth Commission in the Dallas City Hall Lobby, celebrating Dallasites’ rich tapestry of cultures, ethnicities and traditions while honoring and celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• Friday, January 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.mEquity Indicators Symposium: Join the City of Dallas Offices’ of Equity & Inclusion, Environmental Sustainability, and Community Care for the 6th Annual Equity Indicators Symposium centered around the update of the 2023 Equity Indicators Report, which incorporates a sixth theme: Environmental Justice.
• Saturday 18 January from 10 am to 2 pmMLK Day Parade: Due to continued construction on MLK Blvd/SM Wright, the 2025 Martin Luther King, Jr. annual MLK Day Parade start at the Fair Park Pennsylvania entrance at 10:00. on MLK Blvd. The parade continues eastbound back to Fair Park.

Denton

• Monday 20 January from 9 am to 12 noonMLK Day celebrationThis event takes place at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, located at 1300 Wilson Street, Denton, TX 76205. Mission Possible: Protection of freedom, justice and democracy in the spirit of non-violence3659.00 – march up to Fred Moore Park at 9:30 – March begins for MLK Jr. Rec Center at 10.00 – Party and program at 11.00 – Flag football
• Loved the shared breakfastThis event will take place at Citadel of Faith Christian Fellowship from 7 to 8:15. The MLK Youth Choir and the MLK Community Mass Choir will provide music.

Fort Worth

• Monday, January 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.mKick Off for the 40th Annual MLK Parade and Rally in Downtown Fort Worth.Parade Route:• Starts at the corner of 9th and Commerce• West on 9th Street• North on Houston Street• East on Weatherford Street• South on Main Street• Ends at Main & 3rd in Sundance Square Plaza

Garland

• Saturday 18 January from 10am to 6pm36th Annual MLK Celebrations in Garland at the Granville Arts CenterTheme: “Spotlighting Jack and Jill of America (NED) on MLK Day” Parade begins on Diary Rd at Garden Drive at 10 and ends at the Granville Arts Center.
• The musical, titled “Freedom’s Symphony,” begins at noon on January 18 in Brownlee Auditorium.
• The youth extravaganza begins at 4pm on January 19th in Brownlee Auditorium
• All events are free and open to the public!

Grand Prairie

• Saturday 18 January at 10am MLK Parade and PartyThe parade begins at City Hall, 300 W. Main St. and continues to David Daniels Elementary School, 801 SW 19th St.

Irving

• Sunday, January 19 at 6 p.mMartin Luther King, Jr. Observance Event & Essay CompetitionJoin the City of Irving as they celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Irving Arts Center: Carpenter Performance Hall. This year’s celebration will feature dance, song, poetry and art performed by the Dallas Black Dance Theatre.

Mesquite

• Saturday 18 January at 10amDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and community celebrationThe parade begins at 10 a.m. in Downtown Mesquite. The community party begins at 1:00 PM at the Mesquite Arts Center, located at 1527 N. Galloway Ave. The event includes MISD choir presentations, a special dance performance and a keynote address by Dr. Valerie Nelson with Mesquite ISD.

HolidaysDallas ArlingtonCarrolltonDentonFort WorthGarlandGrand PrairieMesquiteIrving