Monday, January 15, 2024 is Martin Luther King Day — an important holiday honoring the celebrated human rights leader’s birthday. If you are seeking to celebrate King and his dream this year, there are a number of terrific arts, culture, and history events taking place across Puget Sound that are both powerful, inspirational, and family-friendly.

PEAK Hoops Seattle presents the MLK Classic Tournament at the Mercer Island Boys and Girls Club (January 13–15)

https://basketball.exposureevents.com/207600/mlk-classic

Don’t miss this tournament for boys and girls (8th-third), with a $200.00-$325.00 entry fee and a 4-game guarantee.

MLK Celebration: Seeding the Dream (January 14)

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mlk-celebration-seeding-the-dream-tickets-763630458257

This event takes place at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art from 2:30–5:30 p.m on January 14. Join Kitsap ERACE, Living Arts Cultural Heritage Project — and more — at BIMA for this year’s youth-led Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration! We will examine contemporary impacts of Dr. King’s legacy and its inspiration of a new generation of youth leaders, activists, and artists. Featuring poetry, dance, oratory presentations, music, singing, and community voices, it captures the energy, excitement, and earnest exuberance of today’s continuing dreams for social justice.

The Seattle MLK Jr. Coalition’s “MLK Jr.’s Dream Unfinished” Youth Event (Jan. 14) and Rally & March (Jan. 15)

https://www.seattlemlkcoalition.org/

To celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr., a young leaders event will take place at McKinney Center from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 14 (and streamed), representing a program created to help inspire young individuals to nurture and create emerging young leaders. The event gives them the opportunity to connect with community leaders and engage in meaningful discussions on a variety of topics at the McKinney Center. Meanwhile, the marquee event in Seattle is the annual march and rally sponsored by the Seattle Area Martin Luther King Organizing Coalition. The rally takes place at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan 15th, at the Garfield High School front parking lot. The march is set to depart at 12:30 p.m.

Then, Now and Forever — Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast (January 15)

https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/mlk

The UW Black Student Union presents Then, Now and Forever — Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast, from 8–10:30 a.m. at William W. Philip Hall, UW Tacoma.

Lift Every Voice Legacy presents The 6th Annual Tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15)

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/levl-presents-the-6th-annual-tribute-to-the-rev-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-tickets-779830131917?aff=oddtdtcreator

Lift Every Voice Legacy presents The 6th Annual Tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at 220 Railroad Avenue in Edmonds on January 15.

Let the Dream Ring — MLK Prayer Breakfast (January 15)

https://www.mlkprayerbreakfast.com/

Let the Dream Ring takes place 7–8:30 a.m. at the Sheraton Grand Seattle Downtown.

MLK Health Fair at Crossroads Bellevue (11 a.m. to 4 p.m., January 15)

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mlk-health-fair-tickets-764833586847

The MLK Health Fair takes place at Crossroads Bellevue on January 15, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s a vibrant event dedicated to promoting health and well-being for all, and it includes a diverse range of activities and resources focused on improving health outcomes and fostering a sense of community. Discover local health organizations, and connect with experts who are passionate about creating a more equitable society. Explore various health-related booths, where you can learn about preventive care, mental health resources, fitness tips, and much more. This event offers something for everyone, regardless of age or background. Come together with friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and work towards a healthier, more inclusive future.

King Day and Northwest African American Museum Reopening (January 15, 11 a.m. — 5 p.m.)
https://www.naamnw.org/

The Northwest African American Museum chose Martin Luther King Day 2024 to reopen for in-person programming after an extended pandemic closure, and in celebration the museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an array of activities for all ages. The event means you can enjoy a day at NAAM full of music, movies, motivational speakers, and activities for the entire family. During the celebration, they will show a new exhibit entitled “Interrupting Privilege” hosted by the Center for Communication, Difference, and Equity (CCDE), you can register here.

Washington State Historical Society Dr. Martin Luther King Day Commemoration (Washington State Historical Museum in Tacoma) — January 15, 2024 (11 a.m. and 1 p.m.)

https://www.washingtonhistory.org/event/mlk-2024/

Washington State History Museum in Tacoma will have free admission on Monday, Jan. 15, and will commemorate the day with special performances. Tacoma Arts Live presents Where Blooming Flowers Meet the Sky by Darryin B. Cunningham at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Washington State Parks — FREE admission, Monday, January 15!

https://www.dnr.wa.gov/event/discover-pass-free-day-martin-luther-king-day

Martin Luther King Day (January 15, 2024) is one of the 12 days a year when a Discover Pass is not required to park on any land managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks), or the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service (January 15)

https://snoco.recliquecore.com/mlk/

On January 15, YMCAs throughout Snohomish County will host “Make It a Day ON, Not a Day OFF” honoring Dr. King’s servant leadership spirit. The Y will mobilize hundreds of volunteers who will give back through the YMCA MLK Day of Service projects identified and facilitated by Y staff, civic leaders and community volunteers. Another event taking place on January 15 is The Greater Everett MLK Community Celebration March & Rally, hosted by The Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee and partners.

Painting the Town Red: The Music of Billie Holiday — A Community Celebration for Martin Luther King Day (January 15)

https://theroyalroomseattle.com/event/south-hudson-music-project-presents-painting-the-town-red-a-mlk-day-tribute-to-the-music-of-billie-holiday/

South Hudson Music Project presents “Painting the Town Red: The Music of Billie Holiday — A Community Celebration for Martin Luther King Day.” The show takes place at 7:30 p.m., and admission is by donation. Listeners can expect selections from Holiday’s illustrious career, in a fitting celebration of both Holiday’s life and work, and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Painting the Town Red features vocalist Johnaye Kendrick, alongside a band of heavy hitters including Geoff Harper (bass), D’Vonne Lewis (drums), Al Keith (trumpet), Wayne Horvitz (piano), Haley Freedlund (trombone), and Jonathan Doyle (sax/clarinet).

MLK Day of Service for Seattle and King County (January 15)

https://www.cityyear.org/seattle/events/mlk-day-of-service-city-year-seattle-king-county/

Denny International Middle School invites you to join their MLK Day of Service for Seattle and King County from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in an event that will bring together alumni, donors, community members, and corporate partners as we revitalize Denny International Middle School. Volunteers will have the opportunity to paint murals, improve campus landscaping, clean, and organize the school for students, faculty, and staff. We believe MLK Day is a “day on”, so come join us as we support the students of Denny International Middle School through service.

“Celebrate Kindness & Community,” The Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia (January 15), Olympia

https://www.hocm.org/events-programs/annual-events/mlk-day-2024/

The Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia invites you to ‘Celebrate Kindness & Community” to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King, with special art activities and collaborative activities, including: children’s book readings by Merritt D. Long, Author of My View from the Back of the Bus; share your stories with bookmaking and cards; write notes of kindness on their helping hands yew tree; silkscreen a peace print; learn about Black History STEAM Heroes; and more.

MLK Day of Service (January 15)

https://www.wwu.edu/mlk

Several organizations in Whatcom County are partnering on a day of service to learn, celebrate, and honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. beginning at 10 a.m. at Sehome High School in Bellingham.

38th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration — January 18
https://www.pugetsound.edu/events/38th-annual-martin-luther-king-jr-celebration

On Thursday, January 18, the University of Puget Sound will present its 38th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at Kilworth Memorial Chapel in Tacoma, starting at 6:30 p.m. This year’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Fred Johnson III, their Spring 2024 Swope Endowed Lecturer.