Whether or not you have the day off on Monday, there are events all weekend long to help you celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day—from a $3 concert at Chop Suey on Sunday to King County’s celebration on Thursday afternoon and MLK Day of Service on Monday. See them all below, and find even more options for this weekend on our complete Things To Do calendar.
STATE PARKS
1. Free State Parks Day
They’ll waive their usual $10 entrance fee, and you can enjoy the wonder of the Columbia Gorge, Olympic Rainforest, or Deception Pass for free. (Sunday, Monday)
MUSIC
2. 16th Annual Expansions MLK Unity Party
KEXP DJs Riz, Masa, and Kid Hops present an evening of funky tunes in celebration of MLK Jr. Day. (Sunday)
3. Gotta Have Soul! Sundays
Chop Suey presents old school funk, R&B, and hiphop, presented by 3J Million and friends, in honor of MLK Jr. (Sunday)
4. Passage: MLK Edition
Kremwerk presents deep and soulful house from Jaymz Nylon and friends in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Sunday)
FILM
5. Children of the Civil Rights
Watch Children of the Civil Rights (about the famous nonviolent protests by youth in Oklahoma City) alongside the filmmakers. There will be a Q&A and post-screening reception. (Saturday
ART
6. Art & Social Justice Tour with Chiyo Ishikawa
SAM Deputy Director Chiyo Ishikawa (and terrific resource, gem of a human) leads this socially engaged tour around the museum in honor of MLK Day. (Monday)
CELEBRATIONS
7. Northwest African American Museum Open House
Northwest African American Museum hosts this celebratory event, featuring Dr. Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech, more civil rights films, arts activities, refreshments, and storytelling by Eva Abram. (Monday)
8. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rally & March: We Have the Power to Make Change
Take advantage of MLK Day as a day to discuss pressing issues and work towards change in your community. This event will begin at Garfield High School, and then transition to a rally and march that will continue on to the Federal Building downtown. (Monday)
9. 28th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration
This birthday celebration in Tacoma features “music, dance, and poetry that highlight the strength, resiliency, and creativity of young men of color,” as well as keynote speaker Dr. William Bell, a founding member of a national movement aiming to eliminate violence in American cities. (Monday)
SERVICE
10. Help Create a Healthy Forest at Cheasty Greenspace
In honor of MLK Day of Service, help EarthCorps and the Green Seattle Partnership clean up Seattle’s 43-acre urban forest. (Monday)
11. Port Townsend Marine Science Center Weed Pull
Help restore the coastal habitats of Fort Worden State Park by pulling invasive weeds like Scotch broom and English Ivy. (Monday)
12. Wallingford Planting Party
Help plant some greenery around the bus stop. (Monday)
13. White Center Neighbors Stronger Together
Stand in solidarity with your community and speak up against the recent rise in hate crimes at this event featuring poster making and building a welcoming community for immigrants. (Monday)
CHURCH SERVICES
14. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Redeeming the Prophetic Vision 2016 Interfaith Service
Urban Grace Church’s 10th annual interfaith service features local performances and an awards ceremony for the Civil Rights Honor Roll. (Sunday)
15. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast
This event features keynote speaker Dr. John Perkins, music from the University Presbyterian Church Gospel Choir, and the presentation of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Vision from the Mountaintop Award. (Monday)
