While some may spend the day watching Donald Trump’s second inauguration or simply taking it easy, countless others across Chicagoland will gather to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring vision of justice and equality.
For those ready to roll up their sleeves or simply be inspired, the city is alive with opportunities to reflect on his legacy—from meaningful volunteer projects to powerful gatherings steeped in art, history, and community.
Whether it’s an art exhibition, a service project, or a stirring keynote speech, Chicago offers no shortage of ways to pay tribute to a man who transformed the nation’s conscience.
Here’s your guide to celebrating Dr. King’s legacy in observance of the holiday and beyond:
Monday, Jan. 20, 2025
- PUSH for Excellence 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast
- Where: Soldier Field, 1410 Special Olympics Dr.
- When: 8:30 –10:30 a.m.
- Details: Join Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. and other leaders for an inspiring breakfast event celebrating Dr. King’s life and legacy.
- Tickets: Available online.
- MLK Service Day at Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health
- Where: 1051 W. Belmont Ave.
- When: 8 a.m. – Noon
- Details: Help organize and paint spaces for a café and therapy center focused on community well-being.
- Stone Temple Missionary Baptist Church Annual MLK Day Celebration
- Where: Stone Temple Missionary Baptist Church, 3622 W. Douglas Blvd.
- When: 9 a.m. – Noon
- Details: Honor Dr. King’s legacy at the historic church where he once preached. Includes a community breakfast at 9 a.m. followed by a program featuring speakers and representatives from the Jewish United Fund and the North Lawndale Historical and Cultural Society.
- King’s Day at Amundsen Park
- Where: Amundsen (Roald) Park, 6200 W. Bloomingdale Ave.
- When: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Details: Free children’s activities for ages 6-13, including a scavenger hunt, trivia, and crafting.
- Chicago Hack The Dream
- Where: Hatch 41, 4131 S. State St.
- When: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Details: A “social impact hack-a-thon” with spoken word performances and panels on community health and social conditions. Speakers include Tim Turner of Thresholds and Dr. Nita Lee of University of Chicago Medicine. Breakfast and refreshments served. Email scook@icstars.org for child participation inquiries.
- Family Celebration at the Chicago History Museum
- Where: 1601 N. Clark St.
- When: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Details: Features hands-on activities, musical performances, and a film screening commemorating Dr. King’s role in civil rights.
- Admission: Free for Illinois residents on this day.
- Chicago Children’s Museum Dr. Martin Luther King Day Celebration
- Where: Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave.
- When: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Details: Participate in art activities, storytelling, and reflections. Local artist Derek Moore will lead a collage-making activity, and books on Civil Rights, race, and identity will be available for children.
- My Block My Hood My City Martin Luther King Jr. Day Volunteer Event
- Where: Washington Park Fieldhouse, 5531 S. Martin Luther King Dr.
- When: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Details: Help deliver meals to seniors across the city. Volunteers with vehicles should arrive by 11 a.m. for orientation.
- Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition Opening
- Where: Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
- Details: The nation’s longest-running exhibition of Black art debuts with over 150 works by Black artists, celebrating creativity and innovation. Runs through April 27.
- Echoes of Freedom at Hyde Park Art Center
- Where: 5020 S. Cornell Ave.
- When: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Details: A celebration featuring live music, art activities, and discussions on justice and culture. Includes film screenings and performances.
- MLK Peace and Justice Sing-Along
- Where: Old Town School of Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave.
- When: 2 – 3 p.m.
- Details: A free sing-along celebrating peace and justice, with a focus on the role of Black women in liberation struggles. Attend in person or virtually (registration required).
- Fight Fear Build Power: MLK, Ali and the Fierce Urgency of Now
- Where: 2755 W. 63rd St.
- When: 2:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Details: A gathering connecting the legacies of Dr. King and Muhammad Ali, with performances and discussions on coalition-building.
- 40th Annual Aurora MLK Ceremony
- Where: East Aurora High School, 500 Tomcat Ln., Aurora
- When: 6 – 8 p.m.
- Details: Dr. Michael Eric Dyson delivers a keynote speech highlighting Dr. King’s enduring legacy.
- Dr. MLK Jr. Day Skate Night
- Where: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1219 W. 76th St.
- When: 5 – 8 p.m.
- Details: Glow-in-the-dark skating, games, and fun for all ages.
- Admission: $20.
Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025
- Northwestern’s MLK 2025 Keynote
- Where: Galvin Recital Hall, 70 Arts Circle Dr., Evanston
- When: 5 – 6 p.m.
- Details: Shermann “Dilla” Thomas reflects on Dr. King’s legacy, followed by a discussion with journalist Natalie Moore.
Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025
- MLK Remembrance at DePaul University
- Where: DePaul Conference Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd.
- When: Noon – 1 p.m.
- Details: J.T. Wilson III discusses the ongoing fight for justice and equity.
Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025
Raphael Warnock, a pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church, won his seat in a runoff in January 2021. (Reuters pic under a Creative Commons 4.0 license).
- Trinity United Church of Christ: MLK Sunday with Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock
- Where: Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago
- When: 7:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
- Details: Worship services with guest preacher Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock, Senior Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church and U.S. Senator from Georgia. Book signing follows both services.
Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025
- MLK Commemoration with Martin Luther King III
- Where: Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, University of Chicago
- When: 6 p.m.
- Details: Martin Luther King III, son of Dr. King, delivers a keynote at the same chapel where his father spoke in 1956. The event includes a discussion with Assoc. Prof. Adam Green and performances by Uniting Voices Chicago.
- Admission: Free and open to the public. Webcast available.
This year’s events capture the full scope of Dr. King’s impact, weaving together art, activism, education, and service. Chicago stands united in honoring his legacy, turning shared dedication into action. Whether through reflection, creativity, or rolling up your sleeves, there’s a place for everyone to carry his dream forward.
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