Jan 15, 2026 - Things to Do
Where to celebrate and honor MLK in Chicago this weekend
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Monday marks the commemorative day honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
The big picture: Whether you're using the holiday as a day of service or taking time to learn more about the civil rights icon's legacy, here are a few events happening around town.
Selma
- Revisit that pivotal moment in history when King led marches for voting rights through the 2014 film.
- 2-4pm Saturday at George Cleveland Hall Branch Library in Bronzeville.
- Free
Courage to Participate
- Join this organization as they honor King's legacy with special guests, including award-winning educator Ernest Crim III and Emmy-winning journalist Trymaine Lee.
- 10am-1pm Saturday at Grace and Peace Church in Hermosa.
- Free, but RSVP.
PUSH for Excellence's 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Weekend
- Experience a day of learning, a worship service, and community building and networking at the Dr. King annual breakfast.
- Times and locations vary, Saturday-Monday.
- Register for events.
23rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration Concert
- The Music Institute of Chicago presents its annual concert featuring performances by professional and student musicians, and a collaboration with Hearing in Color, an organization dedicated to sharing music that's been historically excluded from spaces.
- 3pm Sunday at Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston.
- Free
MLK Day Soul Food Celebration
- Spend the afternoon with a hands-on adult culinary cooking class to create your own spin on classics like fried chicken, mac and cheese and biscuits.
- Noon-2pm Monday at Devonshire Cultural Center in Skokie.
- Tickets are $36 for Skokie residents, $45 for nonresidents
MLK, Jr. Day of Service
- Roll up your sleeves for a morning of community service by cleaning up this south suburban nature center.
- 9am-2pm Monday at Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland.
- Free
Commemorative Day
- Bring the family for a deep dive into MLK's legacy and learn how to be more civically engaged.
- 10am-4pm Monday at the Chicago History Museum in Lincoln Park.
- Free
MLK Day of Service "We Are One: Celebrating Beloved Community"
- Watch performances led by Ayodele Drum and Dance, Kuumba Soul, followed by a movie screening of "Selma."
- 10am-4:30pm Monday at the DuSable Black History Museum in Washington Park.
- Free
King Day: Building Our Future
- Enjoy hands-on art activities and performances inspired by Dr. King's "What Is Your Life's Blueprint?" speech.
- 11am-3pm Monday at the Ryan Learning Center inside the Art Institute of Chicago.
- Free
MLK Day: Protest Art and R&B
- Learn about the late civil rights leader through online archives of music from King's time.
- 4-7pm Tuesday Jan. 20 at Uptown Public Library.
- Free
36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
- Gather around for a live performance from Uniting Voices Chicago with keynote speaker, film scholar Jacqueline Stewart.
- Doors open 5pm Wednesday, January 28 at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel in Woodlawn.
- Free