{"id":137323,"date":"2026-01-17T05:40:20","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T05:40:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/137323\/"},"modified":"2026-01-17T05:40:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T05:40:20","slug":"martin-luther-king-jr-day-events-jan-16-19-in-the-la-area-daily-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/137323\/","title":{"rendered":"Martin Luther King Jr. Day events Jan. 16-19 in the LA area \u2013 Daily News"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"ONEThe 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\u2019s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Jan. 16<\/p>\n

Santa Monica Area Interfaith Council \u2013 MLK Freedom Celebration and Breakfast: The group\u2019s event this year has the theme \u201cFrom the Illusion of Separation to the Practice of Love,\u201d\u00a0 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<\/a>, PhD, is the keynote speaker, and also actor-drummer and the \u201cvoice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr<\/a>.\u201d Gerald C. Rivers<\/a> 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<\/a><\/p>\n

Jan. 17<\/p>\n

Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Celebration \u2013 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<\/a>). 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\u2019s celebration: longbeach.gov\/mlkparade<\/a><\/p>\n

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration \u2013 City of Culver City: The city honors the \u201clegacy, message and spirit\u201d 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<\/a> Church in Culver City. Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City. Details about the event: www.facebook.com\/CityOfCulverCity\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration \u2013 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<\/a>. https:\/\/www.thirdatfirst.org\/2025-2026\/event-four-hl4dy<\/a><\/p>\n

Jan. 18<\/p>\n

Called to Serve \u2013 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<\/a>, 2-4 p.m. Jan. 18. Duarte Historical Museum, 777 Encanto Parkway, Duarte. 951-202-0042. Email: mdbaainfo@gmail.com. www.mdbaa.org<\/a>. Flyer: www.facebook.com\/MonroviaDuarteBAA\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Jan. 18-19<\/p>\n

California African American Museum: In advance of Monday\u2019s Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, make a reservation for a special Scavenger Hunt that is inspired by the museum\u2019s current exhibitions and themes, 2-3 p.m. Jan. 18 (caamuseum.org\/programs\/talks-and-workshops\/caam-scavenger-hunt-king-day<\/a>). Upcoming: Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 19. In addition to the museum\u2019s activities, the museum is collecting new and gently used children\u2019s books on this day in coordination with\u00a0the 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<\/a>). Ongoing special exhibit: \u201cThe Black Interior \u2013 Imagining Home in the Permanent Collection,\u201d to April 5, 2026. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday; closed on Monday (caamuseum.org\/visit\/hours-directions<\/a>). 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\/<\/a>. www.caamuseum.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Jan. 19<\/p>\n

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service \u2013 Resource Fair and Community Clean Up \u2013 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\/<\/a>. Also, volunteerscleaningcommunities.com\/home-of-vcc<\/a> and volunteerscleaningcommunities.com\/schedule-of-events<\/a><\/p>\n

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity Walk: The city of Santa Clarita presents the 5th annual walk with the 2026 theme \u201cMission Possible 2: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way,\u201d 9 a.m. Jan. 19. There will be a short program before the walk. Meet at the city\u2019s new public art installation, \u201cWhen Cloud Met a Cloud.\u201d In addition, donations of nonperishable snacks; disposable paper goods; twin-size blankets will be collected for Bridge to Home (btohome.org<\/a>). Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita. 661-286-4135. santaclarita.gov<\/a>. See the Jan. 9 and 14 postings on Facebook: www.facebook.com\/cityofsantaclarita<\/a><\/p>\n

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.\u2019s 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<\/a> that includes the grand marshal Cedric \u201cThe Entertainer,\u201d marching bands, youth groups, community and faith-based organizations, local and national elected leaders, cast members from the CBS sitcom \u201cThe Neighborhood,\u201d and \u201cdazzling\u201d 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<\/a>. Details: https:\/\/lasentinel.net\/mlkdayparade2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Big Sunday\u2019s 14th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Clothing Drive and Community Breakfast: Variety of ways to help with the \u201cday of service,\u201d 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Big Sunday Facts: https:\/\/bigsunday.org\/faqs\/<\/a>. Register in advance for how you want to help by volunteering or sponsorship (tinyurl.com\/3syzsuzc<\/a>). Also, \u201cShop the Registry\u201d online for the 2026 event: tinyurl.com\/2y3p4my5<\/a>. 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<\/a>. Details about the 2026 event: https:\/\/bigsunday.org\/get-involved\/mlkday2026\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Freedom Festival \u2013 Still We Rise \u2013 Keeping the Dream Alive: The festival is presented by 102.3 FM-KJLH<\/a>, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 19. Leimert Park, 4395 Leimert Blvd., Los Angeles. https:\/\/kjlhradio.com\/events\/freedom-festival\/<\/a><\/p>\n

MLK Day of Service: Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley, the NAACP of Santa Clarita<\/a>, and the Santa Clarita Food Pantry<\/a> 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<\/a>, Thomas E. Dierckman Clubhouse, 19420 Stillmore St., Canyon Country. Make a reservation to attend, see the posting on Jan. 12: www.facebook.com\/AsmPilarSchiavo\/<\/a><\/p>\n

L.A. Works\u2019 Martin Luther King Day Volunteer Festival: The 2026 event includes hands-on volunteer \u201caction zones\u201d 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<\/a>. Frequently asked questions: www.laworks.com\/mlkfaq<\/a>. Registration and details (and also, how to donate to L.A. Works if you can\u2019t attend the event): www.laworks.com\/mlk2026<\/a><\/p>\n

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