The city of Long Beach 38th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade is on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. In the file photo, ONE Long Beach at Long Beach’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Here is a sampling of upcoming events and volunteer projects celebrating the life and civil rights work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Los Angeles area.
Jan. 16
Santa Monica Area Interfaith Council – MLK Freedom Celebration and Breakfast: The group’s event this year has the theme “From the Illusion of Separation to the Practice of Love,” 7:30 a.m. breakfast, followed by the program, 8 a.m. Jan. 16. The morning program includes music, prayer and reflection, and Alisa Osunfunke Orduna, PhD, is the keynote speaker, and also actor-drummer and the “voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” Gerald C. Rivers will share his thoughts about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Location, Mont Olive Lutheran Church, 1343 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica. 310-916-0141. Make a reservation to attend. Click on the Facebook logo from this link to see the flyer and details: https://smaic.org/#events
Jan. 17
Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Celebration – Long Beach: The 38th annual parade, 10 a.m. Jan. 17, begins at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and East Anaheim Street (parade route: tinyurl.com/rj8jpm6m). Parade is followed by the celebration, noon-5 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1950 Lemon St. Details on the parade, the 2026 grand marshals and the events schedule at the park’s celebration: longbeach.gov/mlkparade
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration – City of Culver City: The city honors the “legacy, message and spirit” of the civil rights leader, 1-4 p.m. Jan. 17. The event includes live entertainment, guest speakers, food, activities and exhibits. Donations of non-perishable food items go to support the food pantry at Grace Lutheran Church in Culver City. Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City. Details about the event: www.facebook.com/CityOfCulverCity/
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration – Third@First Concert Series: The concert, 4 p.m. Jan. 17. Free admission/donation. Parking is on Green Street. First United Methodist Church of Pasadena, 500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-796-0157. www.thirdatfirst.org. https://www.thirdatfirst.org/2025-2026/event-four-hl4dy
Jan. 18
Called to Serve – Remembering Dr. King, Renewing Our Commitment: The Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association present a talk on the topic by the Rev. Bonnie Tomlin, from Shiloh A.M.E. Zion Church in Monrovia, and Timothy Conley, 2-4 p.m. Jan. 18. Duarte Historical Museum, 777 Encanto Parkway, Duarte. 951-202-0042. Email: mdbaainfo@gmail.com. www.mdbaa.org. Flyer: www.facebook.com/MonroviaDuarteBAA/
Jan. 18-19
California African American Museum: In advance of Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, make a reservation for a special Scavenger Hunt that is inspired by the museum’s current exhibitions and themes, 2-3 p.m. Jan. 18 (caamuseum.org/programs/talks-and-workshops/caam-scavenger-hunt-king-day). Upcoming: Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 19. In addition to the museum’s activities, the museum is collecting new and gently used children’s books on this day in coordination with the Los Angeles Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in support of the Little Free Library at the Crenshaw Family YMCA. See the details and make a reservation to attend on the Monday holiday (caamuseum.org/programs/special-events/king-day-2026). Ongoing special exhibit: “The Black Interior – Imagining Home in the Permanent Collection,” to April 5, 2026. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday; closed on Monday (caamuseum.org/visit/hours-directions). Free admission. Parking $20 before 5 p.m.; $24 after 5 p.m. (parking lot entrance at West 39th and South Figueroa streets. Museum location, corner of Exposition Boulevard and South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles (in Exposition Park). 213-744-7432. www.facebook.com/CAAMinLA/. www.caamuseum.org
Jan. 19
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service – Resource Fair and Community Clean Up – North Hollywood: North Hollywood North East Neighborhood Council and Volunteers Cleaning Communities, and teaming up with other partners, hold the event beginning with a sign-in and light breakfast mixer, 7:45 a.m., followed by a MLK Jr. legacy reading, a Black Out Poetry activity, a resource fair, and a Buy Nothing NoHo gifting event, 8:30 a.m. Jan. 19. Two community clean up opportunities, 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. (tools for the clean up to be provided or, bring your own trash pickup supplies). All ages. Reservations requested. Valley Plaza Recreation Center, 12240 Archwood St. (behind the playground). Contact by email: jclark@nhnenc.org or text 818-297-6941. Check the flyer for more details: nhnenc.org/. Also, volunteerscleaningcommunities.com/home-of-vcc and volunteerscleaningcommunities.com/schedule-of-events
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity Walk: The city of Santa Clarita presents the 5th annual walk with the 2026 theme “Mission Possible 2: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way,” 9 a.m. Jan. 19. There will be a short program before the walk. Meet at the city’s new public art installation, “When Cloud Met a Cloud.” In addition, donations of nonperishable snacks; disposable paper goods; twin-size blankets will be collected for Bridge to Home (btohome.org). Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita. 661-286-4135. santaclarita.gov. See the Jan. 9 and 14 postings on Facebook: www.facebook.com/cityofsantaclarita
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade: The parade that brings Los Angeles communities together on the national holiday that celebrates the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s civil rights leadership, 10 a.m. Jan. 19. The Los Angeles Sentinel and Bakewell Media (producer of the Taste of Soul Family Festival) are the official organizers of the 2026 parade that includes the grand marshal Cedric “The Entertainer,” marching bands, youth groups, community and faith-based organizations, local and national elected leaders, cast members from the CBS sitcom “The Neighborhood,” and “dazzling” float entries. Route: Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard at Western Avenue, west on MLK Jr. to Crenshaw Boulevard, Los Angeles. The 2026 parade partners: tinyurl.com/5ypzxdsf. Details: https://lasentinel.net/mlkdayparade2026
Big Sunday’s 14th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Clothing Drive and Community Breakfast: Variety of ways to help with the “day of service,” 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Big Sunday Facts: https://bigsunday.org/faqs/. Register in advance for how you want to help by volunteering or sponsorship (tinyurl.com/3syzsuzc). Also, “Shop the Registry” online for the 2026 event: tinyurl.com/2y3p4my5. All ages. Event is held outdoors. Event location, South Park Elementary School, 8510 Towne Ave., Los Angeles. 323-549-9944. Email: info@bigsunday.org. Information about the Big Sunday organization: bigsunday.org/about-us/what-is-big-sunday. Details about the 2026 event: https://bigsunday.org/get-involved/mlkday2026/
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Freedom Festival – Still We Rise – Keeping the Dream Alive: The festival is presented by 102.3 FM-KJLH, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 19. Leimert Park, 4395 Leimert Blvd., Los Angeles. https://kjlhradio.com/events/freedom-festival/
MLK Day of Service: Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley, the NAACP of Santa Clarita, and the Santa Clarita Food Pantry get together for the 3rd annual event that includes service activities and donation drives, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 19. Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley, Thomas E. Dierckman Clubhouse, 19420 Stillmore St., Canyon Country. Make a reservation to attend, see the posting on Jan. 12: www.facebook.com/AsmPilarSchiavo/
L.A. Works’ Martin Luther King Day Volunteer Festival: The 2026 event includes hands-on volunteer “action zones” and speakers, noon-4 p.m. Jan. 19. Register in advance, on the website, for a free admission ticket. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 3911 S. Figueroa St. (Exposition Park), Los Angeles. Updates: www.facebook.com/laworks. Frequently asked questions: www.laworks.com/mlkfaq. Registration and details (and also, how to donate to L.A. Works if you can’t attend the event): www.laworks.com/mlk2026