Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr Day in and around Washington, DC + Camps

Photo: Corporation for National & Community Service

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’”

What is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and why is it a “Day of Service?” explained from the Corporation for National and Community Service.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on January 20, 2020, marks the 25th anniversary of the day of service that celebrates the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy. Observed each year on the third Monday in January as “a day on, not a day off,” MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. The Corporation for National and Community service has been charged to lead this effort for the last quarter century.

There are plenty of places open and welcoming assistance on Monday to serve those less fortunate and other places open to remember King. Here is our list of volunteer opportunities that aren’t necessarily MLK, Jr. related but welcome you most of the time. There are also specific events and opportunities you can share with your child to celebrate King.

There are various MLK, Jr. volunteer opportunities brought to us by Rock Creek Conservancy that can be found here.

Montgomery County’s Day of Service has a plethora of opportunities to participate in.

Arlington has their 3rd annual day of service allowing you to volunteer.

Monday, January 20, 2020

Visit the Martin Luther King Memorial today!

8:00am-9:00am: Wreath laying service at MLK Monument

10:00am: MLK Day of Service at Anacostia Park
In honor of the 25th Anniversary of MLK Day of Service, The Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism and Partnerships (Serve DC) invites you to celebrate Dr. King’s life and legacy by joining in as we Learn. Act. Serve, together, this holiday weekend, January 18th-20th.

10:00am-6:00pm: MLK Dare to Dream at The American Visionary Art Museum
You’re invited to a FREE celebration honoring one of history‘s greatest visionaries. Enjoy birthday cake, a Power Patch printmaking workshop, an artist talk by exhibiting artist Kyle Yearwood, a Poetry Slam and Open Mic, and more, at this FREE, fun-filled day! See our latest exhibition “The Secret Life of Earth” with FREE admission all day.

11:00am: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Film Program: James Baldwin Double Feature: I Am Not Your Negro and If Beale Street Could Talk at The Kennedy Center
This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, join a special double screening of films drawn from James Baldwin’s writings. As a novelist, playwright, and activist, James Baldwin (1924-1987) was an essential literary figure of the Civil Rights era, writing personally and passionately about racial and sexual identity in America.

11:00am-2:00pm: 2020 Peace Walk & 39th Annual Martin Luther King Jr., Parade

11:00am-1:00pm: City of Rockville MLK, Jr. Day
The public is invited to take part in community service activities, browse information booths and enjoy free refreshments. Give back to the community by participating in a community service activity like Project Linus. Ceremony involves a dance performance, remarks, vocal performance, Barbara Harrison will speak, awards and musical performances.

4:00pm: Dr. MLK Jr Tribute & Celebration at Strathmore
Montgomery County celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King’s life through dramatic readings, musical and dance performances. The theme for this year’s program is “Children of the Dream.” In addition there will be the presentation of the Humanitarian Award, Children of the Dream Awards. In addition there will be a Visual Arts Display honoring Dr. King. Free tickets are required for this event and will be distributed on-site on the day of the performance starting at 3pm.

6:00pm: Let Freedom Ring! at Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center and Georgetown University present Grammy®–winning artist Chaka Khan with the Let Freedom Ring Choir in a musical tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Free general admission tickets will be distributed in the Hall of Nations, beginning at 4:30pm, up to two tickets per person. Tickets are reserved seats. Limited seating availability. Seating will begin at 5:15pm All patrons are asked to be seated by 5:40pm.

Camps taking place on Monday, January 20, 2020 when school is out