The Marching Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University are scheduled to participate in the MLK parade in Tampa on Jan. 19.
KIM GIBSON/FLORIDA COURIER
Here are some of the many events scheduled in major Florida cities to honor civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and observe the King holiday.
DAYTONA BEACHMLK breakfast, march, worship service. The MLK breakfast will be at 8 a.m. at the Julia T. & Charles W. Cherry Cultural & Educational Center at 925 George W. Engram Blvd. A walk/march follows at 9:45 a.m. A worship service takes place following the march at 10:45 a.m. at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, 580 George W. Engram Blvd.DEERFIELD BEACHMartin Luther King Jr. Celebration Parade: One Deerfield, One Dream. Monday, Jan. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The parade begins at Pioneer Park and proceeds west on Hillsboro Boulevard, then turns left onto SW 3rd Avenue / SW Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, continues west on SW 2nd Street, and finishes at the Johnny L. Tigner Community Center (445 SW 2nd Street). Immediately following the parade, there will be a Fun Day at the Johnny L. Tigner Community Center. Guests can enjoy free food, live entertainment, rides, vendors and family-friendly activities.FOR LAUDERDALEMLK Teen Leadership Summit. Saturday, Jan. 17, 10 a.m. to noon. The event will be held at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd. Participate in an immersive day honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through youth empowerment, leadership development and community engagement. Participants will explore pathways to academic achievement, personal wellbeing and healthy lifestyles. Workshops will provide career and college exposure, while skill-building sessions inspire the next generation of changemakers.2026 King Holiday Celebration at Carter Park. On Monday, Jan. 19, the city of Fort Lauderdale presents a parade starting at 9:30 a.m. departing from Sistrunk to west on NW 5th Avenue to Carter Park. Afterward, there will be a Unity Festival to honor King’s legacy. The festival of entertainment and education will include food and fun activities. Organizers close out the celebration on Saturday, Jan. 24 with a Gospel Explosion. The event is set from noon to 5 p.m. at Carter Park. Headlining the concert is Grammy award-winning artist Jekalyn Carr.LAUDERHILL
• MLK Legacy Night. Saturday, Jan. 17, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The event will be at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 NW 11th Place. General admission is $20. Special guest speakers are renowned historian Cornel West and community organizer and author Ilyasah Shabazz.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Spelling Bee. The preliminary round will be held 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 17, at Parkway Middle School, 3600 NW 5th Court. The championship round will begin at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 20, Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 NW 11th Place. The events are free and open to the public. LAUDERDALE LAKESNational Day of Racial Healing Candlelight Ceremony. Tuesday, Jan. 20, starting at 7 p.m. The vigil will be held at 4300 NW 36th St. Participants will reflect on shared values and commitment to addressing racism.JACKSONVILLE45th annual MLK Holiday Parade. It’s Jan. 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1680 E Adams St.MIAMI BEACH
33rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Breakfast. 8:30 a.m., Monday, Jan. 19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Drive. Rapper Rick Ross will headline the event.
MIRAMAR
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Celebration. The parade starts at 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 19 at Lake Shore Park. A celebration will be held from noon to 2 p.m., at Lake Shore Park, 8501 S. Sherman Circle. The day will include food and music.
PARKLAND
A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday, Jan. 19, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The celebration will be held at Amphitheatre at Pine Trails Park.
RIVERA BEACH
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Parade: Walk Together in Unity and Purpose. Saturday, Jan. 17, beginning at 10 a.m. The parade vendors and family events will be set up at the Dan Calloway Recreation Complex, 1420 W. 10th Street. A post-parade celebration will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., with live performances, bounce houses, face painting, food, art and garden vendors.
PLANTATION
MLK Day of Service. At 9 a.m., Monday, Jan. 19, participants will help with the Plantation Community Center and Tennis Courts landscape project. The center is at 5555 Palm Tree Road. Visitors will spend the morning planting, pruning and ensuring public spaces remain beautiful for community connection.
ST. PETERSBURG
St. Pete MLK Parade. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade is Monday, Jan. 19, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Parade Route: West on 1st Ave. S from 3rd St. S to 16th St. S, then south on 16th St. to 3rd Ave. The parade travels through downtown St. Petersburg, culminating at Tropicana Field. The parade will feature marching bands from Tuskegee University and Alabama A&M University. The parade will include an appearance by the Wendell Scott Foundation, showcasing a historic Wendell Scott race car honoring the legacy of the first Black NASCAR driver and team owner to win at the sport’s highest level. More information: www.stpetemlkparade.com.
OPA-LOCKA
42nd annual MLK Walk. The City of Opa-locka presents the 42nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Walk on Monday, Jan. 19. The theme of the walk is “Building community, uniting a nation the nonviolent way.” The event begins at 9 a.m., at 151st Street and 27th Avenue. The walk includes a community vs. law enforcement kickball challenge and a 3-point contest.
ORLANDO
42nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Downtown Orlando Parade. 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 17. Join the South-west Orlando Jaycees for an event that will feature dance, comedy, community organizations, drumlines, music, artistic expression and more. The parade theme is “Mission Possible 2: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way.”
Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy 33rd Annual Prayer Breakfast. 7:45 a.m., Monday, Jan. 19
First Baptist Orlando, 3000 South John Young Parkway. Presented by the Southwest Orlando Jaycees and the Central Florida YMCA, the annual Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Prayer Breakfast will commemorate the legacies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy, Orlando’s first Black city council member. The speaker is Tony Jenkins, market president for Florida Blue’s Central Florida region. Event registration, visit https://ymcacf.org/community/y-events/prayer-breakfast
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission’s Great Day of Service US Hunger – Million Meal Pack. 9 a.m., Monday, Jan.19 at the Orange County Convention Center North Concourse, 9400 Universal Blvd. The Orlando Mayor’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, in partnership with the Orange County MLK Initiative, will package one million healthy meals for distribution across the Central Florida region while hosting a family-friendly event for up to 5,000 volunteers. Participants will with moving boxes and filling food bins, as physically able, in honor of Dr. King’s Day of Service. RSVP: https://ushunger.org/event/mlk
TAMARAC
Rhythm of a Dream: An MLK Performing Arts Celebration. Tamarac Community Center, 8601 W. Commercial Blvd., Saturday, Jan. 17, 9 a.m., starting at Carver Ranches Library, 4735 SW 18th St.
TAMPA
The annual MLK Day parade is Jan. 19. Festivities start at noon at Cuscaden Park (2900 N. 15th Street). The parade will feature Grand Marshal Jerome Ryans, President of the Tampa Housing Authority. It will feature Bethune-Cookman Marching Wildcats and Edward Waters University Triple Threat Marching Band.