Youths leading the Bastrop County Martin Luther King Walk in Elgin on Jan. 16 carry a banner honoring the civil rights leader. From left are Elija Lowe, Aven O’Mahoney, London Sumpter, Brielle Sumpter, Layay Washington, Meleani O’Mahoney and Jeremiah LeFlore. 

Youths leading the Bastrop County Martin Luther King Walk in Elgin on Jan. 16 carry a banner honoring the civil rights leader. From left are Elija Lowe, Aven O’Mahoney, London Sumpter, Brielle Sumpter, Layay Washington, Meleani O’Mahoney and Jeremiah LeFlore. 

Terry Hagerty/Special to American-Statesman

A series of marches, celebrations, and volunteer opportunities will mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day across the Austin area, offering residents a chance to honor the civil rights leader’s legacy through community, reflection, and service.

From downtown Austin to surrounding cities, events are planned throughout the morning and afternoon, giving families, students and volunteers several ways to participate in celebrations emphasizing unity, service and multiculturalism.

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Martin Luther King Day events in Austin

9:15 a.m. MLK Donation Drive at Pease Park

Cynthia Harvey wears an inspirational T-shirt at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.

Cynthia Harvey wears an inspirational T-shirt at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.

Terry Hagerty/Special to American-Statesman

The Pease Park Conservancy hosts a donation drive at Kingsbury Commons. Residents can drop off non-perishable foods, diapers and period products for local organizations including the Micah 6 food pantry and Austin Diaper Bank. Volunteers can also sign up for shifts throughout the day.

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1100 Kingsbury St. peasepark.org

9:30 a.m. MLK Community March

The annual MLK Community March begins on the south steps of the Texas State Capitol. Participants will rally in honor of Dr. King’s legacy before marching to Huston-Tillotson University. Marchers are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations for the Central Texas Food Bank, with collection bins available at both the Capitol and the festival.

1100 Congress Ave. austintexas.gov

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11 a.m. MLK Community Festival at Huston-Tillotson University 

After arriving at HT University, marchers can enjoy a family-friendly festival with vendors, family activities and live music. Additional donation bins for the Central Texas Food Bank will be available.

900 Chicon St. mlkcelebration.com

More Central Texas MLK Day events

MLK Commemorative Walk and Celebration, Round Rock (Jan. 17) 

Round Rock will host its 39th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Walk and Celebration on Saturday. The public is invited to join a march beginning at 1:15 p.m. at Burke Realty Group, proceeding to Sweet Home The Pinnacle of Praise for a program at 2 p.m. Dr. Anthony Watson, principal of Stony Point High School, will deliver the keynote address. Participants are encouraged to bring banners.

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3121 Eagles Nest St., Round Rock. roundrocktexas.gov

9 a.m. Manor MLK Celebration

Manor kicks off its annual event at City Hall, concluding with activities at Jennie Lane Park. 

630 E. Hopkins St., Manor. manortx.gov

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9:30 a.m. MLK Walk and Celebration, San Marcos 

The Dunbar Heritage Association begins its MLK Walk with a wreath-laying ceremony at the LBJ/MLK Crossroads Memorial, followed by a walk through the neighborhood. A brief program will be held at the Historic Hays County Courthouse, with a reception at the Dunbar Recreation Center afterward.

110 E. Martin Luther King Drive, San Marcos. dhasmtx.com/mlk-celebration

10 a.m. MLK March and Celebration, Cedar Park 

Chesma McCoy, 41, Manor, and her daughter, Leandra, 4, take pictures of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Statue during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community March held on Monday, Jan., 16, 2023, in Austin.

Chesma McCoy, 41, Manor, and her daughter, Leandra, 4, take pictures of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Statue during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community March held on Monday, Jan., 16, 2023, in Austin.

Rodolfo Gonzalez / Special to American-Statesman

The Cedar Park Recreation Center serves as the starting point for a local MLK march. The event features performances by dancers, musicians and spoken word artists, with food and hygiene drives supporting Brighter Days Food Pantry and the Healthy Hygiene Project.

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 1435 Main St., Cedar Park. cedarparktexas.gov

10 a.m. MLK Walk for Peace, Justice & Equality, Elgin

The free community event begins with a walk starting from Veterans Park and continues with an 11 a.m. program at Booker T. Washington Elementary School. Refreshments will be provided, and scholarship donations to benefit local schools are welcome. This countywide celebration rotates annually between Bastrop, Elgin, and Smithville.

109 Depot St., Elgin. smithvilletx.org

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Noon. MLK Day March, Georgetown 

Participants gather at 11:45 a.m. on the north side of the Williamson County Courthouse for the annual MLK Day march to Macedonia Baptist Church. The celebration includes a keynote address by Gerald Jones, associate vice president for student life at Southwestern University.

710 S. Main St., Georgetown. georgetowntexas.gov