Since MLK Jr. Day is actually considered a “day on” not a “day off,” you may be looking for some ways to educate or perhaps volunteer in the community. Look no further! Here’s a list of events and activities happening in and around Austin to pay tribute on MLK Day weekend.
Ways to Honor Martin Luther King Jr. on MLK Day 2024
Austin Public Library MLK Weekend Celebration: Dream More in 2024, Generational Dreaming
When: Friday, January 12 at 10 a.m. and Saturday, January 13 at 12 p.m.
Where: Austin Public Library, 710 W. César Chávez Street
The Austin Public Library provides a wide variety of events for all ages that are free and open to the public. All ages welcome.
MLK Activity Station
When: Friday, January 12 at 3:30 p.m.
Where: George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center, 1165 Angelina Street
Join at Carver Museum ATX for activities that honor Dr. King’s life work and legacy! They will be screening documentaries, shorts, and selected speeches, learning together through selected educational workbook pages, and various hands-on craft activities facilitated by the Education Team in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2024. Free and open to public, perfect after-school activity. RSVP here.
MLK Kids Event
When: Saturday, January 13 at 10:30 a.m.
Where: San Marcos Public Library, 625 East Hopkins Street, San Marcos
Join the Dunbar Heritage Association for a celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Discover new books, art, videos, and crafts, and create your own poster for the upcoming annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day March, along with other fun crafts to learn and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This is a family friendly event. They’ll have lots to do for children ages pre-k through middle school! All craft materials and snacks will be provided. Register your child by January 10 at: https://dhasmtx.com/mlk-kids-event/
37th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Walk and Celebration
When: Saturday, January 1 from 1 to 3:15 p.m.
Where: First Baptist Church of Round Rock, 306 Round Rock Avenue
The 37th annual MLK Walk and Celebration is happening in Round Rock on Saturday, Jan. 13 from 2 to 3:15 p.m. All are invited to join in the Walk, which will begin at Buck Egger Park, 900 S. Mays Street. Participants should meet in the park at 1 p.m. Walk will begin at 1:30 p.m. and will end at the First Baptist Church Round Rock (306 Round Rock Avenue). A program with speakers and entertainment will be held at the First Baptist Church Round Rock beginning at 2 p.m. The program will feature the Sweet Home Baptist Church Choir, under the direction of Minister James E. Reed III. The program will also include Round Rock ISD’s CD Fulkes Middle School Choir, under the direction of Heather Rosen.
Civil Rights Trailblazers’ Reunion
When: Sunday, January 14 at 3 p.m.
Where: San Marcos Public Library, 625 East Hopkins Street, San Marcos
Reunion honoring Civil Rights Trailblazers: watch and reflect on the video of the 2014 “Blazing the Civil Rights Trail” event and gather with the community.
Austin MLK Day March, Festival and Food Drive CANCELLED
When: Monday, January 15 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Statue at the University of Texas at Austin, 110 Inner Campus Drive
The MLK Community March kicks off on Monday, January 15, 2024 at 9 a.m. with a short program at the MLK Statue on the University of Texas campus. At the conclusion of the program at the MLK Statue, we will march to the south steps of the Capitol. After the Capitol program, the march will proceed to the historic Huston-Tillotson University, where exciting activities are planned. The MLK Community Festival kicks off at 11:15 a.m. and will last until 3:30 p.m.; it will include all types of vendors and local musical artists to make this year’s celebration the best ever!
MLK Day Of Service at St. Elmo
When: Monday, January 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: St. Elmo Elementary, 600 W. St. Elmo Road
The 4th Annual MLK Day Food Drive and Mobile Pantry at St. Elmo Elementary will be Monday, January 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The mobile food pantry will begin at 10 a.m. and last until 12 p.m. or until supplies run out. It is on a first come, first serve basis, drive thru. They will have fresh produce, proteins, and some non perishable items available and will be prepping for the spring planting and growing season in the St. Elmo Garden space. Rock painting for the kids will be available. Come and honor Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy by making an impact in our community and leaving it better than we found it! DJ playing tunes all morning. Coffee and snacks provided by our local Starbucks. Lunch will be provided for all volunteers who sign up.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Food Drive Support – RESCHEDULED
When: Monday, January 15 from 12 to 2 p.m.
Where: Kingsbury Commons and Pease Park, 1100 Kingsbury Street
In honor of Martin Luther King Day 2024, Pease Park is hosting their annual MLK Day Food Drive. Volunteers are needed to help collect and sort donations! Feel free to bring extra cardboard boxes to make sorting and transporting easier. REGISTER HERE. If you are unable to volunteer, consider stopping by the Picnic Tables in Kingsbury Commons to donate food! You can find a list of the most needed items here.
Martin Luther King, Jr Walk
When: Monday, January 15 at 10 a.m.
Where: MLK Park, 1101 MLK Drive, Smithville
The walk will begin at MLK Park, located at 1101 MLK Drive. The Hon. Sharon Foerster, Mayor of Smithville will provide the welcome prior to the walk which will then proceed to Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church and Mary A. Brown Primary School. The program will begin at 11 a.m. at the Smithville Recreation Center, located at 106 Royston Street. For more information please go to www.BastropCountyMLKDay.com.
MLK Day of Service Creek Cleanup – RESCHEDULED
When: Monday, January 15 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Gus Garcia District Park, 1201 E. Rundberg Lane
Pack your gloves or borrow some of theirs and help us clean up the green spaces and waterways around Gustavo “Gus” L. Garcia District Park in northeast Austin. If you can’t make it out, consider leading your own trash clean up in your neighborhood or at your favorite park!
19th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration March
When: Monday, January 15 at 9 a.m.
Where: Dickey-Givens Community Center in Fannie Robinson Park, 206 S Dolan Street, Taylor
Join in continuing the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by marching from the Dickey-Givens Community Center to the Heritage Square Amphitheater in Taylor. Family friendly and open to all!
March Line-Up: 8:45 a.m. at Dickey-Givens Community Center
March Begins: 9 a.m. at Dickey-Givens Community Center
Celebration Program: 10 a.m. at Heritage Square
MLK Walk and Celebration – San Marcos
When: Monday, January 15 at 9:30 a.m.
Where: LBJ/MLK Crossroads Memorial, 110 E. Martin Luther King Drive, San Marcos
The MLK March & Celebration will begin with a wreath-laying ceremony at the LBJ/MLK Crossroads Memorial at 9:30 a.m. The march will take place immediately after the ceremony and will proceed through to the Hays County Courthouse for a brief program. There will be a reception with light refreshments at the Dunbar Recreation Center at 801 MLK Drive.
MLK Day March and Ceremony
When: Monday, January 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Old Town Park, 200 W Willis Street, Leander
In collaboration with the Leander Public Art Commission, the City of Leander observes and honors the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a march and ceremony. The march will leave from Camacho Elementary at 11 a.m. and make their way to Old Town Park where there will be a ceremony featuring performances from dancers, musicians, choirs, and spoken word artists. THE EVENT IS STILL ON! With the expected cold weather on Monday, the City of Leander will provide warming options for participants and attendees at the MLK Day March and Celebration, which is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Old Town Park. These options will include standing propane heaters throughout the site, and warm food and drinks available to purchase from vendors. Please remember to dress for winter weather as below-freezing temperatures are in the forecast for Monday.
Austin Public Library Celebrates 8th National Day of Racial Healing
When: Tuesday, January 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Austin Central Library, 710 W. Cesar Chavez Street
The Austin Public Library presents the 8th National Day of Racial Healing: How We Heal. All ages welcome.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Food Drive Support
When: Thursday, January 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Kingsbury Commons and Pease Park, 1100 Kingsbury Street
Due to severe winter weather in the days leading up to MLK Day, the MLK Day Jr. Food Drive will now take place on Thursday, January 18 at the Tudor Cottage and Terrace.
In honor of Martin Luther King Day 2024, Pease Park is hosting their annual MLK Day Food Drive. Volunteers are needed to help collect and sort donations! Feel free to bring extra cardboard boxes to make sorting and transporting easier. REGISTER HERE. If you are unable to volunteer, consider stopping by the Picnic Tables in Kingsbury Commons to donate food! You can find a list of the most needed items here.
United Way Educational Walk
When: Friday, January 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Six Square: Austin’s Black Cultural District
End MLK Jr. Week of Service by joining the historic walking tour that takes guests through the beginnings of Austin’s Black community to today given by Javier Wallace, Ph.D, founder of Black Austin Tours. You will learn about the City of Austin’s 1928 Master Plan and creation of the “Negro District,” which was centered around East 11th Street. Visit important sites and institutions throughout this one-mile journey. You will also be able to engage in dialogue about the changing nature of East Austin and the city’s Black community. A large part of this experience is to support local Black-owned businesses in the neighborhood.
MLK Day of Service Creek Cleanup
When: Sunday, January 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Gus Garcia District Park, 1201 E. Rundberg Lane
Pack your gloves or borrow some of theirs and help us clean up the green spaces and waterways around Gustavo “Gus” L. Garcia District Park in northeast Austin. If you can’t make it out, consider leading your own trash clean up in your neighborhood or at your favorite park!
MLK Community Festival
When: Saturday, January 27 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Huston-Tilloston University Campus
The Community Festival has been postponed to Saturday, January 27. These changes were made in the interest of public safety to limit extended outdoor exposure to sub-freezing temperatures. The festival and rally are free and open to the public. For any future updates to the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Festival, please visit the event website.
Learn about LBJ’s role in the civil right’s movement at the LBJ Library which is FREE on MLK Day!
