Martin Luther King Jr. at the March on Washington, 1963.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an opportunity to reflect on the life and legacy of the famed Civil Rights activist. Institutions around Boston will offer special programming, free admission and honor local changemakers to celebrate the day.

Stokely and Martin

- Jan. 16-18

- Multicultural Arts Center, 41 2nd St., Cambridge

- Info: This original play by Najee A. Brown imagines a private conversation between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Stokely Carmichael, two activists fighting for change in very different ways. In a powerful conversation, the Civil Rights figures reckon with their shared struggle and split path. multiculturalartscenter.org/stokely-and-martin

Embrace Honors MLK: Friends and Family

- Jan. 18, 8 p.m.

- SoWa Power Station, 550 Harrison Ave.

- Info: During this lively, upscale evening, Embrace Boston honors Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by presenting awards to local activists and changemakers. Guests are encouraged to pair fancy attire with their favorite sneakers and dance the night away to beats from Embrace artist-in-residence DJ Mez.wav. classy.org/event/embrace-honors-mlk-2026-friends-andfamily/e680517

The 56th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast

- Jan. 19, 9 a.m.

- The Westin Copley Place Ballroom, 10 Huntington Ave.

- Info: For 56 years, Bostonians have gathered to honor King with a breakfast, keynote speakers and community engagement. This year keynote speaker Nikole Hannah-Jones, a MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellow and Pulitzer-Prize-winning journalist, will speak on King’s legacy. bostonmlkbreakfast.org/breakfast-2026

MLK Day at the Stone Zoo and Franklin Park Zoo

- Jan. 19, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

- Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Rd. and Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St., Stoneham

- Info: Both Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo will offer free admission in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Educators and zookeepers will also host special talks about camels, gorillas, cougars, reindeer and more. zoonewengland.org/engage/free-admission-on-martinluther-king-jr-day

MFA Boston MLK Day Open House 

- Jan. 19 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 465 Huntington Ave.

- Info: Enjoy free admission to the Museum of Fine Arts as well as art making, guided tours and spotlight talks by curators. Throughout the day there will be live performances by gospel group Living Water, youth performance group ZUMiX and others. mfa.org/event/open-house/mlk-day

ICA Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Free Admission

- Jan. 19 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

- ICA Boston, 25 Harbor Shore Dr.

- Info: Visit the ICA Boston for free and see exhibitions like “Indigenous Present” and “Portia Zvavahera: Hidden Battles / Hondo dzakavanzika.” The museum will also offer a mobile making art workshop. icaboston.org/events/martin-luther-king-jr-day-free-admission

Where Conscience Walked: 23rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Tribute Concert

- Jan. 19, 4 p.m.

- Boston Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave.

- Info: This concert by the Boston Children’s Chorus explores the life and legacy of the late Georgia congressman and “good troublemaker” John Lewis. The songs will speak to themes of protest, freedom, resilience and power and make connections between Lewis and King. bostonchildrenschorus.org/hear-us where-conscience-walked

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 2026

- Jan. 19 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 25 Evans Way

- Info: In addition to free admission to the galleries, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum will host reflections by local artists and thought leaders, a community sing-along in honor of Roxbury artist Alan Rohan Crite, guided meditations and other programs. gardnermuseum.org/calendar/dr-martin-luther_king-day-1.19.26