Dr. Martin Luther King Day events in North Texas

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FILE - Martin Luther King, Jr., close-up during a speech, circa the 1960s.  ( Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

DALLAS - Communities across North Texas will celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. leading up to MLK Day on Jan. 20, 2025. 

Monday, Jan. 20 marks Martin Luther King Day, a federal holiday, which just so happens to coincide with Inauguration Day this year, both listed as federal holidays. 

What will be closed on Jan. 20?

On Monday, Jan. 20, the majority of government offices and agencies will be closed in observance of the two federal holidays.

Banks, schools and post offices will be closed nationwide on Jan. 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Day.

The United States Postal Service and UPS will be closed on Jan. 20, meaning there will be no mail deliveries. However, FedEx will be operating on Jan. 20 with modified services.

Events

Arlington

Click here to view the Four-Day Celebration Flyer.

• MLK Advancing the Dream GalaJanuary 17, 6:30 to 9 p.m.E.H. Hereford University Center (UC), Bluebonnet Ballroom, 300 W First St., ArlingtonIndividual tickets are $85; Reserved tables (seats 8 people) are $2,000 eachPurchase tickets at UTATickets.com
• MLK Step ShowcaseJanuary 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bowie High School, 2101 Highbank Dr., ArlingtonTickets range from $5 to $10, kids 6 and under are FREEPurchase tickets at UTATickets.comClick here for the event's flyer in English and in Spanish. 
• MLK Story HourJanuary 18, 6 to 7 p.m. UTA Central Library, atrium, 702 Planetarium Pl., ArlingtonFree to attend
• MLK Poetry Meets Blues and R&BJanuary 18, 7 to 9:30 p.m. E.H. Hereford University Center (UC), Bluebonnet Ballroom, 300 W First St., ArlingtonTickets are $20Purchase tickets at UTATickets.comClick here for the event's flyer  
• MLK Hubert Moss Ecumenical ServiceJanuary 19, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.Service begins at 6 p.m.Guest Minister Jeff Hubbard of North Davis Church of ChristGreater Community Missionary Baptist Church (MBC), 126 E Park Row Dr., ArlingtonFree to attendClick here for the event's flyer
• Zeb Strong Jr. MLK Day of ServiceJanuary 20, 9 a.m. to noon Mission Metroplex, 400 W South St., ArlingtonRegister online at ArlingtonMLK.comClick here to view the event's flyer
• MLK Day of Service FestivalJanuary 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. City Center Plaza, 100 S Center St., ArlingtonFree to attendClick here to view the event's flyer
• MLK Youth ExtravaganzaJanuary 20, 6 to 7 p.m. Fielder Church Metro Center, 2011 S. Fielder Rd., ArlingtonFree to attend
• MLK Historical Timeline ExhibitJanuary 17 – 20On display at each event View online at ArlingtonMLK.com

Carrollton

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade: The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade is Sat., Jan. 18 at 10am, starting behind Carrollton City Hall on Rainwater Ln. Following the parade, a program will begin at 11:30am in the Ted Polk Middle School auditorium. The parade is organized by Christ Community Connection, Inc. and sponsored by the City of Carrollton. More Details: cityofcarrollton.com/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/48787/20

Dallas

In January 2025, the City of Dallas will host its 43rd annual celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a week’s worth of events focused on equity, community, and opportunity. This year’s theme is "The Unfinished Agenda of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Where Do We Go Now?"

• Tuesday, Jan. 14 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.Day of Reflection, Prayer and Dedication: The City of Dallas unites in sending prayers for the safety and well-being of the city, facilitated by faith leaders. They will commemorate the life of Dr. King by laying wreaths, symbolizing the unwavering dedication to his cause of a more just society. 
• Wednesday, Jan. 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.Job Fair: An in-person job fair held at the Briscoe Center at Fair Park in partnership with Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas featuring on-site interviews and job offers from 75 employers.
• Thursday, Jan. 16 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.Multicultural Showcase: Join the Youth Commission in the Dallas City Hall lobby celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures, ethnicities, and traditions of Dallasites while honoring and celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 
• Friday, Jan. 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Equity Indicators Symposium: Join the City of Dallas Offices' of Equity & Inclusion, Environmental Sustainability, and Community Care for the 6th Annual Equity Indicators Symposium centered around the update of the 2023 Equity Indicators Report which incorporates a sixth theme: Environmental Justice.
• Saturday, Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.The MLK Day Parade: Due to the continued construction on MLK Blvd/SM Wright, the 2025 Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual MLK Day Parade will start at the Fair Park Pennsylvania entrance at 10 a.m. It will proceed westbound on Pennsylvania turning right north bound on Latimer making a right on MLK Blvd. The Parade will proceed eastbound returning to Fair Park. 

Denton

• Monday, Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.MLK Day CelebrationThis event will take place at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center located at 1300 Wilson Street, Denton, TX 76205. Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence3659 a.m. - March line up at Fred Moore Park 9:30 a.m. - March commences to MLK Jr. Rec Center 10 a.m. - Celebration & Program 11 a.m. - Flag Football 
• Beloved Community BreakfastThis event will take place at Citadel of Faith Christian Fellowship from 7 to 8:15 AM. The MLK Youth Choir and MLK Community Mass Choir will provide music. 

Fort Worth

• Monday, Jan. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.Kick Off for the 40th Annual MLK Parade and Rally in Downtown Fort Worth.Parade route:• Starts at the corner of 9th and Commerce• West on 9th Street• North on Houston Street• East on Weatherford Street• South on Main Street• Ends at Main & 3rd in Sundance Square Plaza

Garland

• Saturday, Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.36th Annual MLK Celebrations in Garland at the Granville Arts CenterTheme: "Spotlighting Jack and Jill of America (NED) on MLK Day"The parade begins on Diary Rd at Garden Drive at 10 a.m. and ends at the Granville Arts Center.
• The musical entitled "Freedom's Symphony" begins at 12 p.m. on Jan. 18th, in the Brownlee Auditorium.
• The Youth Extravaganza begins at 4 p.m. on Jan. 19 at Brownlee Auditorium
• All events are free and open to the public to attend!

Grand Prairie

• Saturday, Jan. 18 at 10 a.m MLK Parade and CelebrationThe parade begins at City Hall, 300 W. Main St. and continues to David Daniels Elementary School, 801 SW 19th St.

Irving

• Sunday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m.Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance Event & Essay CompetitionJoin the City of Irving as they celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Irving Arts Center: Carpenter Performance Hall. This year's celebration will feature dance, song, poetry, and art performed by the Dallas Black Dance Theatre.

Mesquite

• Saturday, Jan. 18 at 10 a.m.Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Community CelebrationThe parade begins at 10 a.m. in Downtown Mesquite.The Community Celebration begins at 1 p.m. at the Mesquite Arts Center located at 1527 N. Galloway Ave. The event includes MISD choir presentations, a special dance performance, and a keynote address by Dr. Valerie Nelson with Mesquite ISD.