In 2026 Martin Luther King Day falls on Monday, January 19th.
Schools are out. Government offices and libraries are closed. Take advantage of this opportunity for family together time. Many community organizations and community centers offer programs to honor this civil rights leader. We are collecting this year’s MLK day celebration opportunities as they are announced.
Events and activities to observe Martin Luther King Day
Paint for Peace (FREE)
Date: 01/15/2026 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: Zanewood Recreation Center, 7100 Zane Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN, 55429Brooklyn Park’s annual Paint for Peace event celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of unity, hope, and community healing. Drop in to connect, reflect, converse and paint. Guided painting activity starts at 6pm, feel free to arrive between posted hours. Please note this event does not take place on Dr Martin Luther King Jr Day.
Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend
Date: 01/17/2026 - 01/19/2026 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Location: ,Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend is January 17- January 19, 2026 (Saturday through Monday of Martin Luther King weekend). During this weekend, adults can fish without a license if accompanied by a child age 15 or under. (See Minn. Stat. Sec. 97A.445, subd. 4. – kids under 16 can fish without a license all the time).
MLK Day Open Play
Date: 01/19/2026 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Plymouth Community Center, 14800 34th Avenue N, Plymouth, MN , 55447Plymouth Community Center will offer a special Open Play time on Martin Luther King Monday. Children can play in the KUBE indoor playground and the gym and enjoy inflatables in the Plymouth Fieldhouse. All ages are invited to play. Cost is $12/wristband.
MLK Day Open Gym
Date: 01/19/2026 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Location: IGM Gymnastics, 12117 Riverwood Drive, Burnsville, MN, 55337Parents can relax while kids jump, tumble, and play in a safe and supervised environment. For kids 18 months to 17 years. January 19, 2026; 9:30-11:30am or 1-3pm. $10/child; $25/family max.
Powderhorn MLK JR Day Celebration
Date: 01/19/2026 10:00 am - 1:30 pm
Location: Powderhorn Park, 3400 15th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55407Each year on Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Day, Powderhorn Recreation Center hosts a family-friendly, 2-hour artist showcase featuring storytellers, visual artists and performing artists and art activities. All ages are welcome to attend and celebrate together.
Saint Paul MLK Day Celebration
Date: 01/19/2026 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: Martin Luther King Recreation Center, 271 Mackubin Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55102An afternoon of games, crafts, music, food and basketball for teens ages 12-18.
National Day of Racial Healing (FREE)
Date: 01/19/2026 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Westwood Hills Nature Center, 8300 W. Franklin Ave, St Louis Park, MN , 55416Join St. Louis Park students at the Westwood Hills Nature Center on MLK Day to discuss and learn about diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and lived experiences. Soup and refreshments served. This is an all-ages activity; pre-registration required.
Annual MLK Day Celebration
Date: 01/19/2026 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center, 4055 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55409An evening of powerful performances and inspiring speakers on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Light refreshments will be available at the conclusion of the event. FREE. Drop in. All Ages.
Minnesota State Parks: Free Park Day
Date: 04/25/2026 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Location: ,Four days each year all state parks and state recreation areas across Minnesota waive the vehicle fee to visitors and offer free admission! Opt outside today and visit one of our area State Parks.
Martin Luther King Day At Your Own Pace
Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery
1256 Penn Avenue N., Fourth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Regular hours: Tues-Fri 1pm-5pm; Sat 10am–1pm
The permanent exhibit, UNBREAKABLE: Celebrating the Resilience of African Americans in Minnesota explores African American history in Minnesota from the settlers and pioneers through the world wars. Stop by the Children’s Reading section for a story break.
DID YOU KNOW?
Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155
Sumner Library, 611 Van White Memorial Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55411
Minnesota Sculptor George Bassett has made two busts of Martin Luther King, Jr. that are on display in the Twin Cities? A smaller bust at Sumner Library and a larger one at the State Capitol. The Capitol offers free guided tours and also allows self-guided tours during open hours. Sumner Library hours and information can be found here. However, both will be closed for the Holiday, so you will need to play your visit for another day.
MLK DAY OF SERVICE
Many families like to use the MLK Holiday as an excellent way to focus on promoting social justice and fighting poverty through volunteer opportunities.
- Gianna has gathered a list of family-friendly volunteer opportunities here.
- Gather up non-perishable food donations for the 12th annual “Feeding the Dream” Food Drive. Families can drop off items at any MPRB Recreation Center through Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- Our friends at Doing Good Together offered several ideas to Turn Family Movie Night into a Cozy Act of Kindness. You can find a list of family-friendly movies here.
AT HOME MLK FUN & LEARNING
Bigger kids
- Listen to the “I Have A Dream” Speech.
- Minnesota Historical Society: Black History, Black Voices – YouTube videos of last year’s event explore the legacy of Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement in our own community.
Younger kids
- Minnesota Children’s Museum has several suggestions for celebrating with kids here, including age-appropriate videos and reflection questions.
- Watch the animated digital reading of “Something Happened in our Town” that Children’s Theatre Company produced to help families discuss big issues like inequality, injustice and our goal of racial equity.
- Take advantage of your library card’s access to Bookflix and read/watch these pairings together:
- Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport and Martin Luther King Jr. by Kitson Jazynka.
- Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shang and Martin Luther King Jr Day by Kitson Jazynka.
FIND FAMILY FUN FOR THE LONG WEEKEND
For more things to do over Martin Luther King, Jr weekend jump over to our Weekend Guide.
Do you know of any other celebrations or fun activities that we missed? Leave us the information in the comments and we’ll share with the community.
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We need to bring back the march and music
Several of these events do feature music. We’ll keep adding events as they are announced.
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