Things to Do for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Atlanta
Published January 16, 2025
January is the month when Atlanta celebrates the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Of course, Atlanta is proud of the civil rights leader and his deep association with our city every day. While we all try to live by his principles, January is when the world focuses its attention on his legacy. Here in Atlanta there are several ways to honor him, including a visit to The King Center and many civil rights landmarks along Auburn Avenue. Here are more things to do.
The King Center
The King Center plans a number of activities in January, including the Beloved Community Awards on Jan. 11 at Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park. On Jan. 13, the King Center presents “The Courageous Path: Mission Possible with Nonviolence365” a virtual workshop. The “Beloved Community Youth Book Reading” occurs Jan. 14, virtually.
The “Beloved Community Global Summit” takes place Jan. 15 and explores the how artificial intelligence (AI) can be harnessed to protect and promote the principles of freedom, justice and democracy with the power of Nonviolence. The “Beloved Global Youth Summit” takes place on Jan. 16 and is designed to inspire, educate and empower young people in the use of AI. Through hands-on, interactive sessions and activities, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the impacts of artificial intelligence on the world.
On Jan. 17, The King Center will rally educators, students, educational institutions and learning organizations across the world to participate in our Beloved Community Teach-In. This worldwide initiative aims to engage people of all ages and backgrounds to learn about the enduring legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Participants will discover how we can work collectively to carry on the Kings’ mission of creating the Beloved Community – a global society founded on justice, equal opportunity and love of one’s fellow human beings. This teach-in represents a chance for people everywhere to gain inspiration from studying the example of the Kings while also determining their own role in advancing their inclusive vision for humanity. The King Center hopes classrooms and centers of learning across the globe will take part in this empowering day of discussion, reflection and action.
Join the King Center on Monday, Jan. 20 for the Beloved Community Service Project, which supports underserved people with essential care kits. The Beloved Community Empowerment Fair provides free resources and support in career development, financial literacy and health and wellness.
Where: 449 Auburn Ave. NE
Ebenezer Baptist Church
On Jan. 20, Ebenezer Baptist Church plans the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service with keynote speaker, Bishop William J. Barber, II, Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call For Moral Revival. Service begins at 9 a.m.
Where: 101 Jackson St. NE
Georgia Tech MLK Celebration
Georgia Tech commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during events organized by faculty, staff and student groups. Visit the John Lewis Student Center (3rd Floor Theater) on Jan. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. for the MLK Legacy Panel: Creating a Path to Freedom, Justice, and Democracy. Then participate in a week of MLK Celebration events including the MLK Day of Service on Jan. 20 and MLK Vision Board Party on Jan. 21. Several events are taking place on Jan. 22 including Martin Luther King on Leadership- a workshop discussing the key tenets of MLK Jr.’s leadership and the impact it had on the civil rights movement. Students can also participate in Read for the Dream: MLK Literacy Day of Service by collecting books to support literacy in the community. Books will be collected in the Center of Student Engagement through Jan. 23. The MLK Commemoration and Keynote takes place on Jan. 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. and will feature performances by student organizations as well as a keynote by Kahlil Greene, “the Gen Z Historian” on TikTok and Instagram. Reception to follow.
Hands On Atlanta: Atlanta MLK Weekend of Service
Hands on Atlanta presents the Atlanta MLK Weekend of Service from Jan. 17 through 20, in partnership with Repair the World Atlanta in In the City Camps.
Atlanta History Center
The Atlanta History Center commemorates Dr. King’s legacy with a free community event from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Jan. 18, with a variety of public activities including civil rights-themed trivia, crafts, kids activities, panel discussions and more.
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
The Children’s Museum of Atlanta will celebrate Martin Luther King Weekend Jan. 18 to 20. Among the scheduled events are: watercolor portraits and quotes in the art studio. Children will learn about Dr. King’s portrait in the National Portrait Gallery and then make their own. They will sketch it with pencil, then color it in using watercolor, just like Boris Chaliapin did for Dr. King. For younger guests, there will be various “bubble letter” quotes printed on cardstock to paint.
The Morph Gallery will be laid out as a timeline through Dr. King’s life, with 39 steps (footprints) through the area to symbolize his 39 years of life with fun activities.
In March 1965, Dr. King took part in a historic march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., to fight for equal rights for Black Americans. At Jane’s Innovation Station, children will more about the journey, how bridges function and take on the challenge to build their own bridge.
Children will be invited onto the Children’s Museum stage to celebrate MLK’s birthday and boogie on down for a Birthday Dance Party and walk around the museum together in a Birthday Parade.
Children will listen to Markell Williams read MLK’s famous ‘” Have a Dream” speech.
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Please note that this year the National Center for Civil and Human Rights is closed but they’ve partnered with Children’s Museum of Atlanta to offer special programming.
Oakland Cemetery
Join Trees Atlanta in celebrating MLK Jr. Day by planting new trees at the Historic Oakland Cemetery on Jan. 20 as a way of honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Volunteers may help the cemetery with tree planting, garden beautification and clean up. Space is limited to 100 volunteers so visit Oakland’s website for sign up.
Free Admission to National Parks
To honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., all national parks, including Atlanta’s Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park offer free entry on Jan. 20. And, of course, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park is always free.
To learn more about Dr. King and the civil rights movement, visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta. Find out more about Atlanta’s civil rights history.
Journalist Carol Carter writes and edits for Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.
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