Visiting the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and the Center for Civil and Human Rights are top destinations to mark the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday on Jan. 20. Here are some other events you won’t want to miss.
MLK Celebration & Jazz Brunch at City Winery
City Winery at Ponce City Market will host a Jazz Brunch in honor of MLK featuring PR Experience and hosted by WCLK’s Deb Moore on Jan. 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For tickets and information, visit citywinery.com/atlanta.
The King Center
The annual commemorative service will take place on Monday, Jan. 20, starting at 10 a.m. in the Horizon Sanctuary at Ebenezer Baptist Church. The King Center will also host the annual “Salute To Greatness” gala on Jan. 18 at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown with honorees including actor/musician Jaden Smith. For a full schedule and more information, visit TheKingCenter.org.
MLK Jr. National Historic Park
The park will celebrate starting Jan. 15 with storytelling, volunteer day, artistic tributes and special events on MLK Day including a special event for children at Fire Station 6 and the birth home and historic Ebenezer Church will be open throughout the day. For a complete list of events, visit nps.gov/malu.
The MLK March & Rally
The King Day March, also set for Monday afternoon, Jan. 20 at 1:45 p.m, along Peachtree Street to Auburn Avenue and on to Jackson Street. Leading up to the event, the MLK March Committee will observe King Week from Jan. 12 to 20 with a series of worship services, youth conference and more. See the full schedule at mlkmarchcommittee.com.
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
The Downtown museum will mark the King Holiday on Jan. 20 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with events including a reader’s theater, science show, storytime, art studio and build it lab. Visit childrensmuseumofatlanta.org for full details.
MLK Day 5K Drum Run
The annual walk/run will be held Jan. 20 starting at 8 a.m. in Piedmont Park with the start and finish at 10th Street near Park Tavern. The USATF certified course and Peachtree Road Race qualifier will be run on grass, road, gravel, wooden bridge and dirt paths through the park. There will also be a 3.1-mile drumline all along the racecourse, so come early to enjoy the music. To register and for more information, visit mlkday5k.com.
Atlanta History Center
There will be free admission to the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead in honor of Martin Luther King Day. Among this year’s highlights is a performance of “Walking Through the Valley” written by Addae Moon, Atlanta History Center’s Director of Museum Theatre. Set in 1963, a young activist is asked by the “powers that be” to alter the language in a speech he’s written for what will become an historic event. He envisions a conversation with four iconic freedom fighters in an effort to decide whether a compromise will best serve the greater good. For the full schedule of events and activities, visit AtlantaHistoryCenter.com.
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
The Downtown museum will be open on MLK Day and is home to the permanent Martin Luther King Jr. Collection of papers and items from Morehouse College. Visitors can also explore the permanent exhibition on the American Civil Rights Movement and other social justice and human rights causes. For more information, visit civilandhumanrights.org.
Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Awards
Emory University will hand out the annual awards on Jan. 23 at 4:30 p.m. in the Rollins Schools of Public Health on the main campus, 1518 Clifton Road. This year’s theme is “Mobilizing for Justice, Advocating for Change.” For more, visit emory.edu/MLK.
