On Monday, organizations throughout Houston will commemorate the late civil rights pioneer with parades, volunteer opportunities, and kid-friendly educational activities in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
On January 20, 1986, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was officially recognized as a federal holiday. King, a civil rights activist and Baptist clergyman, was a key figure in the American civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. King was killed at a motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968.
Many Houstonians still intend to commemorate King’s legacy in spite of the frigid weather anticipated for the first part of next week. The following events are planned for this weekend and Monday.
The 29th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at Children’s Museum Houston will take place on Saturday, January 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Children’s Museum of Houston will celebrate King with a number of performances and educational activities throughout the day for the 29th consecutive year.
At noon, educator Kiana Williams will perform a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at the museum to kick off the festivities. Among other things, the event will include a reenactment of King’s well-known “I Have a Dream” speech and a performance by Ministry in Motion.
According to the museum, participation requires general admission.
Monday, January 20 from 8 to 11 a.m. is the Missouri City & Vicinity Branch NAACP MLK Breakfast.
The Knanaya Catholic Community Center in Missouri City will host a Martin Luther King brunch on Monday morning, organized by the NAACP’s Missouri City and Vicinity Branch organization. The organization’s website, which is listed above, sells tickets for $50.
Greater Houston MLK YMCA Service Day: Monday, January 20
To commemorate King’s legacy, the YMCA of Greater Houston will offer 15 distinct service opportunities on Monday. There are YMCA facilities throughout Harris County, and the kind of service and exact hour vary by area. Their website has information and a complete list of participating sites.
Midtown Houston’s 2025 MLK Grande Parade: Monday, January 20, 10 a.m., 8 a.m. check-in
Midtown Houston’s MLK Grande Parade is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. on Monday and run for about two hours. The procession will begin at the intersection of Elgin and San Jacinto and travel 1.5 miles.
According to the MLK Parade Foundation’s Facebook page, the event is still scheduled for Friday, but spectators are being advised to dress warmly because of the potential for cold weather.
MLK Jr. Parade 47th Annual: Monday, January 2010, a.m.
The 47th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade will be held in Downtown Houston by the Black Heritage Society. Over 3,500 people attended the event last year. Additionally, it will be streamed live on social media, radio, and television.
As of Friday, the event was still going on, according to a statement posted on the Black Heritage Society’s website.
The statement read, “The parade will continue whether it rains or snows.” “You can rely on us to put up an amazing performance. Come experience something truly unique that will leave you with lifelong memories.
Additionally, the organizers are requesting that participants and attendees dress appropriately and use their social media accounts to stay informed.
