Here is a sampling of upcoming events and volunteer projects celebrating the life and civil rights work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Los Angeles area:
Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Celebration – Long Beach: The 37th annual parade, 10 a.m. Jan. 18, begins at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and East Anaheim Street (parade route: tinyurl.com/3dhaf98m). Parade is followed by the celebration, noon-5 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1950 Lemon St. Details on the parade’s 2025 grand marshals and events at the park celebration: tinyurl.com/r7459738
Celebrating Dr. King’s Legacy – Duarte Historical Museum Speaker Series: The Monrovia-Duarte Black Alumni Association and the Duarte Historical Museum present the program, 1 p.m. Jan. 19. Free admission. Duarte Historical Museum, 777 Encanto Parkway. 626-357-9419. www.ranchodeduarte.org
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity Walk: The City of Santa Clarita presents the event with this year’s program theme “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence 365,” 8 a.m. Jan. 20. Santa Clarita Mayor Bill Miranda leads a brief program (between fields 5 and 6 at Central Park), followed by your choice of walk distance (0.6 mile or 1.1 mile). No registration is required to attend. For this year’s “Day of Service,” participants in the walk, and elsewhere, are asked to make donations to these local nonprofit organizations in Santa Clarita. Check the needs and the hours to donate directly to: Bridge to Home (a homeless services provider, btohome.org/); Family Promise (a homeless families service provider, familypromisescv.org); Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry (scvfoodpantry.org). Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita. 661-286-4135. www.facebook.com/cityofsantaclarita/
Leadership Long Beach Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: The group presents its 16th annual event that kicks-off with a pancake breakfast, 8:30-10 a.m. Jan. 20 (Long Beach City College, 1305 E. Pacific Coast Highway), and followed at 10:30 a.m. at the project of your choice at various Long Beach locations. Sign up in advance, online, for a project. Activities include a beach clean-up, tree planting, assembling care packages and helping seniors. 562-997-9194. leadershiplb.org/mlk
California African American Museum – King Day 2025: Learn about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on the holiday, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Jan. 20. Museum’s parking lot, 39th and Figueroa streets, Los Angeles (caamuseum.org/visit/hours-directions). Location, corner of Exposition Boulevard and Figueroa Street, Los Angeles. www.facebook.com/CAAMinLA/. caamuseum.org/programs/special-events/king-day-2025
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration: The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Westside Coalition presents its 40th annual event with the theme “Celebrating Women of the Civil Rights Movement: Let’s Make Real the Promise of Liberty and Justice for All,” 11 a.m. Jan. 20. Keynote speaker: Sonya Young Aadam, CEO of California Black Women’s Health Project (www.cabwhp.org). Learn about nonprofit groups at the Community Involvement Fair following the program. Event is also live stream. Location, John Adams Middle School Performing Arts Center, 2425 16th St., Santa Monica. Flyer and details: www.mlkjrwestside.org/
L.A. Works’ Martin Luther King Day Volunteer Festival: The 2025 event includes hands-on volunteer “action zones” (including activities to help those affected by the recent wildfires), 12:30-3:30 p.m. Jan. 20. Register in advance, on the website, for a free admission ticket. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 3911 S. Figueroa St. (Exposition Park), Los Angeles. Updates: www.facebook.com/laworks. Registration and details: www.laworks.com/mlk2025
Rescheduled from Jan. 18
Kingdom Day Parade – Peace and Unity, Let it Start with Us: The 40th annual parade, celebrating the work of civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., has been rescheduled, 10 a.m. Feb. 17. Arrive by 9 a.m. to watch the parade. Rain does not cancel the event. The parade is presented by the Congress of Racial Equality of California. The parade is televised live. Parade route: Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard at St. Andrews Place, west on MLK Jr. to Crenshaw Boulevard, south on Crenshaw to Vernon Avenue (parade route map on the website). 323-350-2667; 818-605-7405. www.kingdomdayparade.org. Updates on the parade: www.facebook.com/officialkingdomdayparade/