Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Events in Washington, DC

Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday is a day of honor and commemorative events at a variety of sites in Washington, DC. Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday is January 15th and is celebrated each year on the third Monday in January.

In 1994, to further commemorate a man who lived his life in service to others, Congress transformed the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday into a national day of community service. Here is a schedule of special events to honor this civil rights leader and to give local residents the opportunity to reach out to help those in need.

2012 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
January 16, 2012. Join a community service organization or create your own event to serve the DC community and make a difference.

“Let Freedom Ring” at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2012 Date to Be Announced, 6 p.m. The Kennedy Center and Georgetown University host a musical celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy in a free Millennium Stage concert. Tickets are required and will be distributed the day of the event in front of the Concert Hall beginning at 10 a.m.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Family Festival at the Smithsonian
2012 Date to Be Announced, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The National Museum of American History remembers King’s legacy and the contributions of thousands of other Americans to justice and freedom during the Civil Rights Movement with a weekend of special events. Visitors can participate in Student Sit-ins, a Freedom Riders Roundtable Discussion and experience a stirring and inspirational tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as the museum’s Freedom Singers present songs of the Civil Rights Movement, followed by a dramatic presentation of Dr. King’s own words.

Strathmore Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute and Musical Celebration
2012 Date to Be Announced, 4 p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, Maryland. This year’s theme, “Continuing the Legacy…How will YOU Serve?” pays tribute to the life and works of Dr. King and its present day impact. Some of the performances include jazz performer, Marcus Johnson; the 2010 winners of “How Sweet the Sound,” Men of Valor; Gospel jazz saxophonist, Brian Lenair; and a host of other performers from diverse backgrounds. The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required and are available on a limited basis.

Annual Civil Rights “Film Festival”
2012 Date to Be Announced, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
1411 W Street, SE, Washington, DC
Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday viewing films featuring the struggles and triumphs of the civil rights movement and celebrate the life and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For more information, call (202)426-5961.

Lincoln Memorial
2012 Date to Be Announced, 1:00 p.m. 23rd and Independence Ave., NW, Washington, DC. The National Park Service will place a wreath at the Lincoln Memorial, on the steps where Dr. King gave his 1963 speech. The recitation of the “I Have a Dream” speech will be presented by students of Washington, DC’s Watkins Elementary School.

Washington National Cathedral
2012 Date to Be Announced, 2-4 p.m. People from all walks of life will come together to sing, dance and celebrate the legacy of faith and service left by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Short interfaith reflections will be offered in several faith traditions by Buddhist, Jewish and Christian participants during the program. The celebration is free and open to the public.