Local Events Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

By
Lauren Cappell
-
The legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is unmatched. In honor of the upcoming holiday in his name, here is a roundup of local activities! 
 
 
 
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
 
 

St. Louis Public Library Food Drive

  • When: Through January 31
  • Location: Any St. Louis Public Library location

St. Louis Public Library (SLPL) is launching its annual MLK Food Drive in partnership with St. Louis Area Foodbank, honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by supporting individuals and families across the St. Louis community.

From December 15 through January 31,community members are encouraged to donate nonperishable food and essential items at any SLPL location during normal library hours.

 

Let it Resound: The Legacy of Black Composers

  • Friday, January 16 at 6:30 pm
  • Location: Lee Auditorium at Missouri History Museum

Join St. Louis Symphony Orchestra IN UNISON Chorus Director Kevin McBeth, IN UNISON Young Artists, and musicians from the SLSO for an inspiring concert that honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through the stories and music of Florence Price and composers who came after.  

This is a free performance. No tickets or RSVP required to attend.

 

MLK Community Celebration 2026

Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. throughout the holiday weekend at the Missouri History Museum!

 

 

MLK Unity Gathering in Fountain Park and Centennial Christian Church

When: Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 9:30 am 

Location: 4950 Fountain Place, St. Louis, MO 63113

Cost: Free

The MLK Unity Gathering is on Saturday, January 17 at 9:30 am – 4 pm at the MLK statue in Fountain Park. This year’s theme is The Courage to Begin Anew: Affirming Dignity and Action in the Face of Adversity.

This theme is not merely symbolic. It is a direct response to the struggles faced by the local community.

On May 16, 2025, a devastating tornado swept through St. Louis. It destroyed the Centennial Christian Church building and heavily damaged the MLK statue in Fountain Park. When people ask about Martin Luther King what did he do when faced with hardship, history tells us he persisted. In that same spirit, the Centennial Christian Church and the Fountain Park and Lewis Place Neighborhood Association are rebuilding.

 

11th Annual Mid St. Louis County Martin Luther King

Saturday, January 17th – Prayer & Leadership Breakfast begins at 10:00am. RSVP is required.

Monday, January 19th – Parade Assembly and Program

 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Free Movie

As a community, it is our responsibility to teach and preserve our history. Since 1970, Afro World has worked to do just that and on January 19, we invite you to join us for our DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY CELEBRATION AT AFRO WORLD
 
Join us for two FREE documentary showings honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
 
Enjoy light refreshments,
Chess with Courtney Chess Club, and
FREE books provided by Ready Readers.
 
This is a FREE community event everyone is welcome!
Donations are appreciated to help us continue our community outreach efforts.

 

Annual Peace and Justice Mass

Join us for the 51st annual celebration of the Archdiocesan Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice on the holiday weekend commemorating the birth and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

2026 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Celebration — The Dream Reimagined: Youth Voices Uplifted

St. Louis Poet Laureate Pacia Elaine Anderson will lead a poetic journey influenced by Moneta Sleet Jr.’s photographs of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement, in conjunction with performances by young people from multiple local schools and performing arts institutions. The program’s artistic director, Kathryn Bentley, will host this inspiring celebration featuring music, theater, and dance performed by some of the area’s most gifted youth, including COCA’s Allegro Senior Vocal Company, Gentlemen of Vision, Cahokia Jazz Band, Legacy Roots Dance Ensemble, and the Grand Center Arts Academy.
 
Although the event is free, advance tickets are recommended.
 
 

 

39th Annual Dr Martin Luther King Jr Commemoration

When: January 19, 2026 from 2 – 3 pm

Location: Danforth University 6475 Forsyth Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63105

Pressing Our Way: Striving for Change

The program is free to attend and open to the public. A livestream of the event is available here and a digital copy of the program booklet will be available here for those who are unable to attend in person.

The community is also invited to participate in a service project co-sponsored by Campus Life and the Cross Cultural Connections (CCxN)office from noon – 2 p.m. in Tisch Commons located within the Danforth University Center (DUC). Volunteers will assemble hygiene kits for children in the Ritenour School District, care packages for those without homes, blankets for area animal shelters, and cards for local senior citizens. Light refreshments will be provided.

 

41st Annual Bayer YMCA MLK Commemorative Breakfast

This year’s theme, “Mission Possible II: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way,” inspired by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, is more than a phrase—it’s a call to action. It invites everyone to help build the Beloved Community envisioned by Dr. King, where injustice ends, violence is replaced by compassion, and love becomes the prevailing force.

 

 

Small Hands … Big Difference at Mirowitz

mall Hands…Big Difference will bring our community’s youngest social activists together for an opportunity to answer Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr.’s challenge that we “do something for others.” Join us for a morning of art, music, social action, a PJ Library station and more!

 

 

2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Program Observance Celebration East St. Louis

You are cordially invited to the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Program Observance Celebration on Monday, January 19, 2026 at 12:00 pm at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church.
 
This event is free and open to the public. Reverend Corey Harris will be the Keynote Speaker.
 
Hope to see you there!
 
 

 

MLK Jr. Commemoration 2026

  • When: January 19 – 23, 2026//
  • Location: Washington University

Join us as we celebrate 2026 MLK Jr. Commemoration Week at WashU Medicine. We invite all members of our community to participate and reflect on ways to further Dr. King’s vision of justice and equality in our daily lives.

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., this year’s program is themed “Historical Memory.” The week features opportunities to engage with inspiring speakers, reflective sessions, and celebrations honoring campus community members. Join us for this week of remembrance, reflection, and celebration of Dr. King’s enduring legacy.

 

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Lauren Cappell
Lauren Cappell
Lauren lives in Kirkwood with her husband, Eric and their two daughters Claire (5) and Frances (3). Both she and her husband are transplants, Lauren originally from San Diego and her husband, Charleston, SC. They’ve called St. Louis their home since 2013. Lauren taught both first and third grade for 10 years before becoming a full time stay at home mom. Moving to a new city without friends or family forced her to get outside her comfort zone and establish friendships and discover all that St. Louis has to offer families (you can find her sharing her adventures on her Instagram account @littleloupstl). She understands the immense value of community which is what brought her to St. Louis Mom.

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