Where to Celebrate MLK Day in 2024

Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial in Washington, DC

In 2024, Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on the late civil rights leader’s birthday.

Monday, January 15 is poised to be a vital day of reflection and celebration across not only the United States but the globe as what would have been King’s 95th birthday will see numerous events and ceremonies take place in towns and cities all over.

Here are some of the top U.S. destinations to celebrate MLK Day this January.

Jacksonville, Florida

The Gateway to Florida is an underrated destination boasting a slew of unique neighborhoods and nearly two dozen miles of beautiful beaches. On January 15, the city will host the 43rd Annual MLK Holiday Grand Parade downtown.

Meanwhile, visitors can tour as many as five important MLK sites throughout Jacksonville, including the Mount Ararat Baptist Church where King delivered his “This is a Great Time to Be Alive” sermon in March 1961.

Washington, DC

Visitors to the nation’s capital can celebrate January 15 with the Annual MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk & Parade from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET. Travelers will also want to stop by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in West Potomac Park.

The city and surrounding neighborhoods will also play host to a slew of special prayer services, running events and MLK Day celebrations over the holiday weekend.

Atlanta, Georgia

Families can celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. all weekend long at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Special activities on tap will include story times, a birthday parade and watercolor portraits, among others.

Atlanta is also home to MLK’s birth home at 501 Auburn Avenue. While visitors can catch a glimpse of this critical property, tours of the site will remain suspended until November 2025 due to an extended renovation project.

Sports fans visiting Atlanta can also catch the NBA’s Hawks in action against the San Antonio Spurs. The annual MLK Day Game tips off at State Farm Arena at 3:30 p.m. ET. There’s also the MLK Day 5K Drum Run kicking off at 8 a.m. ET in nearby Doraville.

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio hosts the nation’s largest MLK March. This year will mark the 37th Martin Luther King, Jr. March and Celebration. The January 15, 2024 celebration will begin at 10 a.m. at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy before a park celebration at Pittman-Sullivan Park.

The latter will include a main stage with multicultural performances, a health and wellness area, a youth area, food and merchandise vendors and information booths.

For those visitors who can’t make the march and celebration, the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum and Carver Community Cultural Center offer opportunities to learn and celebrate MLK and other African American contributions to San Antonio and the nation at large all year long.

US National Parks

MLK Day is the first of six free entry days at U.S. national parks in 2024.

On January 15, outdoor enthusiasts looking to celebrate King’s contributions to the civil rights movement amongst Mother Nature can do so at no cost at more than 400 parks across the country.

While most parks are free to visit every day there are approximately 109 with an entry fee that will be waived on MLK Day.

Memphis, Tennessee

Like Atlanta, Memphis is a can’t-miss city when it comes to memorializing MLK in 2024.

The National Civil Rights Museum at the site of the former Lorraine Motel where King was assassinated in 1968 is a must-visit. But travelers can also make the most of the holiday at the MLK Reflection Park and I AM A MAN Plaza.

Memphis will also host a celebratory basketball showdown when the Golden State Warriors face off against the hometown Grizzlies inside of the FedExForum at 6 p.m. ET on January 15.