Civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. paved the way for desegregation in the United States and earned a Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent social justice activism. In Seattle, there are lots of ways to honor his legacy at special events around town, including Garfield High School’s MLK Jr. Day March and Celebration, the Seattle Art Museum's Arts & Social Justice Tour, and the MLK Day of Service. Find all the options below and on our MLK Day calendar, or check out our resistance calendar for other events happening this week.
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WEDNESDAY-MONDAY

COMMUNITY

2019 MLK Day of Service
Whether it's cleaning up a public space, potting trees, or helping feed the hungry, there are dozens of opportunities to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by volunteering at local organizations as part of a group, as an individual, or as a group leader. 
Various locations

THURSDAY

ART

Arts & Social Justice Tours
Seattle Art Museum staff will offer spotlight tours focused on works that speak to themes of race and social justice in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Seattle Art Museum, downtown

COMMUNITY

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at the City of Bellevue
Former US track and field athlete Dr. John Carlos famously held up a Black Power salute on the podium with Tommie Smith at the 1968 Summer Olympics in protest of poverty and racially charged violence. He'll come to Bellevue to deliver a keynote speech at this MLK Day event.
Bellevue City Hall

Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute
This 20th annual MLK Day event celebrates leaders in the community who are committed to serving those in need and hosts them for a panel discussion. This year's guests include Benjamin Danielson of Odessa Brown Children's Clinic, Rickey Hall of the University of Washington's Minority Affairs & Diversity department, and Paula Houston and Nicki McCraw of University of Washington Medicine.
Hogness Auditorium, University District

Unity Day
You may recognize Hill Harper from his roles on The Good Doctor and CSI: NY. He'll deliver the keynote speech at this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day event.
Seattle First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill

FRIDAY

COMMUNITY

MLK Celebration at Seattle Colleges
Since 1974, this MLK Day tradition honors the civil rights leader with speeches from community leaders, live music, and a reception. This year's keynote will be delivered by Michael Eric Dyson, a Georgetown University sociology professor who has been named "one of the 40 most inspiring African Americans" by Ebony magazine. Gospel singer DaNell Daymon will provide live music.
Mount Zion Baptist Church Capitol Hill

MUSIC

Anzanga African Marimba Music
The Seattle-based ensemble Anzanga, who have been playing together for 32 years, will bring their African marimba music to Bainbridge Island for a special MLK Day concert.
Bainbridge Performing Arts, Bainbridge Island 

READINGS & TALKS

PKN SEA Vol. 74: American Dreams: Empowering New Visions for a Changing America
PechaKucha Seattle—who put on presentations that are composed of 20 slides that each get 20 seconds of explanation—in partnership with the Seattle Art Museum, 4Culture, ARCADE, AIA Seattle, Design in Public, and Human Condition Magazine will bring you a Pecha Kucha on the American Dream.
Seattle Art Museum, Downtown

SATURDAY

MUSIC

All Black Party MLK Weekend
DJ Black will help kick off Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend with a night of dance tracks. 
Royal Esquire Club, Columbia City

SUNDAY

COMMUNITY

Seattle MLK Jr. OC - Youth Celebration
Youths will take the stage to perform songs, dances, and spoken-word, and participate in panel discussions "expressing the meaning of Dr. King's 'Dream'." Admission and food are free. 
Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, Central District

MUSIC

19th Annual Expansions MLK Unity Party
KEXP DJs Riz, Masa, Alex, Kid Hops, and Sharlese will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. with an evening of music.
Clock-Out Lounge, Beacon Hill 

MLK Celebration
Free Up Reggae Sundays presents a special MLK Day dance party with resident DJs Veteran, Matsui, Y2K Sound, and X-Man.
Contour, Pioneer Square

MLK Holiday Weekend Affair with UrbVote, Kun Luv, DJ Blast
Spend your MLK weekend dancing to party jams with DJs Kun Luv and Blast.
Amber, Belltown

PERFORMANCE

Ruby Bridges: A Civil Rights Journey
This play explores how Ruby Bridges, the first African American child to integrate into a white Southern elementary school in 1960, might have experienced the classroom in which she was the only student (as white parents wouldn't let their children attend class with her). 
Pantages Theater, Tacoma

MONDAY

COMMUNITY

2019 King Day at NAAM
If you've always wanted to visit the Northwest African American Museum, take advantage of free admission (donations accepted) on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. There will be special activities like speakers, film screenings, performances of freedom songs, a pop-up soul food cafe, and art activities for kids. 
Northwest African American Museum, Atlantic

31st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration
Tacoma celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with an award ceremony for a local community leader and a keynote speech from University of Puget Sound President Isiaah Crawford. If you can't make it in person, the event will be aired live on TV Tacoma.
Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center

7th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast
This annual event honors Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy by aiming to "promote justice and reconciliation with community partners in the great Seattle community." This year, look forward to a keynote speech by Quest Church Senior Pastor Rev. Eugene Cho and an award ceremony honoring Seattle's Chief of Police Carmen Best, Zion Preparatory Academy educator Dough Wheeler, and Microsoft's Joanne Harrell. 
Sheraton Hotel, Downtown

2019 MLK Jr. Unity Breakfast
Dr. Boyce Watkins will share words inspired by the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. at this UW Tacoma event.
UW Tacoma

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration
See a panel exhibition detailing Martin Luther King, Jr.’s visit to Washington State in the 1960s before checking out a play about Ruby Bridges, the first African American child to attend a white Southern public school in 1960.
Washington State History Museum, Tacoma

Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration & Health Fair
Celebrate MLK Day with a full day of activities in Bellevue, starting with an address from the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, followed by live performances by the Seattle Peace Chorus, Youth Speaks poet Bitaniya Giday, the Sunny Byers Band, and others, and a community health fair. 
Crossroads Mall Bellevue

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Tacoma
Help clean up parks around Tacoma as a way to give back on MLK Day.
Various locations

Revolutionary Self Care Day by Powerful Voices
In partnership with United Way of King County, womxn and girls of color are invited to practice self-care in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by visiting hair, makeup, and nail stylists and hanging out at a fun resource fair to take dance lessons, make bath bombs, and more. 
Powerful Voices, Capitol Hill

Seattle MLK, Jr. Day March and Celebration
Garfield High School's annual day of events, which will take place in partnership with the Womxn's March on its final day, celebrates the life and legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. with an opportunity fair, workshops, and pre- and post-march rallies. This year's event is in support of I-1000, which would "redefine affirmative action as providing equal opportunities through recruitment, hiring, outreach, training, goal-setting and other methods designed to increase diversity."
Garfield High School, Central District

A Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi
This tribute night celebrates the memory of two great nonviolent leaders: Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. Members of Ananda from the Blue Lotus Temple in Bothell will present a program of music, readings, and audio and video clips from King and Gandhi's lives. 
East West Bookshop, Roosevelt

FILM

MLK Remembrance: The Man, the March, the Movement
If you have MLK Day off, head to Marysville for a keynote speech from JJ Frank, followed by a screening of the acclaimed 2014 film Selma, which chronicles the historic 1965 voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. 
Marysville Opera House

FOOD & DRINK

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
One dollar from every pint you guzzle will be donated to Kids Race, an organization that provides workshops, lectures, and childhood education "dedicated to cultural awareness and social responsibility." 
Ravenna Brewing Co., Ravenna

Restorative Justice and Healing
Healing Justice explores the causes and consequences of the US justice system and its effects across communities. See a free screening of the film, followed by a discussion, on MLK Day.