Seattle-area communities will come together to pay tribute to the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. over the next several days. There will be a variety of workshops, rallies, days of service and more for people to attend for the annual celebration of his birthday, which this year falls on Jan. 16. The below events take place before, on and after the day throughout the Seattle area.
Seattle Martin Luther King Jr. Organizing Coalition Workshops — through Jan. 16
Take part in a variety of virtual and in-person workshops put on by the Seattle MLK Jr. Organizing Coalition through Jan. 16, including “Storytelling: Telling Your Story When the World Tells You No!,” “Building a Reparations Movement in Seattle,” “Media Literacy: Becoming Anti-Racist News Consumers” and more. Register online; free. seattlemlkcoalition.org
Seattle Colleges’ 50th Annual Community Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. — Jan. 13
Join a celebration of the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that will include a breakfast, social hour and a program with the Rev. Sharon Risher of Charleston, South Carolina, who, after the loss of her mother in the shooting at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2015, has become an advocate for addressing the nation’s gun violence. After her address, she will be joined by D’Andre Fisher for a community conversation. Register online; free. seattlecolleges.edu
Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee March/Rally and MLK Day Celebration — Jan. 13 and 15
The Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee is holding a Jan. 13 march from Everett Memorial Stadium to the Carl Gipson Center where a rally will take place with community speakers, art and food. This will be followed by a celebration on Jan. 15 at First Presbyterian Church centered on the theme “The Urgency of Now; From Dream to Reality.” Learn more online; free. scbhcwa.org
BIMA Martin Luther King Jr. Day Community Celebration — Jan. 15
The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art will be putting on an all-day community celebration with a program of speakers, art, music, demonstrations and activities created by a variety of local groups to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Learn more online; free. biartmuseum.org
Seattle Martin Luther King Jr. Organizing Coalition Rally and March — Jan. 16
The Seattle MLK Jr. Organizing Coalition is holding its yearly rally and march that begins at Garfield High School. Prior to this, there will be a job fair and résumé review 8:30-11:30 a.m. The rally will begin at 11 a.m. and the march will start at 12:30 p.m. from the high school parking lot with the route to be shared on the day of. Learn more online; free. seattlemlkcoalition.org
MLK Day of Service at West Sammamish River Trail — Jan. 16
Get outdoors for a day of volunteering with the Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group to help restore Chinook salmon habitat at the King County-owned West Sammamish River Trail in Woodinville. This will include removal of Himalayan blackberry, mulching of the area to prevent any regrowth and the potential to plant some trees as well. Register online; free. midsoundfisheries.org
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Health Fair — Jan. 16
Join the annual celebration and health fair hosted by the city of Bellevue. Taking place online, it will share information regarding health and community resources in addition to showcasing Black-owned business and hosting guest speakers. Register online; free. bellevuewa.gov
Martin Luther King Jr. Day at NAAM — Jan. 16
The Northwest African American Museum will celebrate its reopening on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and will include a variety of programming such as music, movies, speakers and family-friendly activities. Learn more online. naamnw.org
“When Love Changes Things” — Jan. 16
Lift Every Voice Legacy in partnership with the Edmonds Waterfront Center is putting on its fifth tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with spoken word, song and dance performances. There is a free early morning program 9:30-11:30 a.m. for families. The evening event will take place 6-8 p.m. with a variety of special guests. Register online; prices vary. beloved4all.org
34th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration — Jan. 16
The city of Tacoma will hold its annual celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that will include its recognition of local organizations and individuals who serve their community. This year, Priscilla Lisicich and Ms. Tanika Aden will be recognized with individual Lifetime Service Awards, with a special recognition to J’Nai Bridges. Register online; free. cityoftacoma.org
MLK Day of Service — Jan. 16
The city of Lynnwood is holding a day of service for volunteers to assist in clearing out invasive species as well as helping to generally “beautify” Scriber Lake Park 9 a.m.-noon. All materials will be provided. Register online; free. lynnwoodwa.gov
National Park Service Free Entrance Day — Jan. 16
Another way to take in the great outdoors is by going to any of the National Park Service sites, which are waiving admission fees in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Learn more online; free. nps.gov
Celebrate Kindness and Community at Hands On Children’s Museum — Jan. 16
This family-friendly event will have a whole host of activities to connect with community, including writing letters of kindness to neighbors; a collaborative faux-stained glass art piece; a reading from Merritt D. Long, author of “My View From the Back of the Bus!”; poetry exploration with Olympia Poet Laureate Ashly McBunch; and more. Register online; prices vary. hocm.org
MLK Jr. Day Stewardship Events with Green Kirkland — Jan. 16
The city of Kirkland is doing a wide variety of habitat stewardship events at three parks, Windsor Vista Park, Juanita Open Space and Watershed Park, that will focus on invasive plant removal, planting of native plants, mulching/weeding, and more. Register online; free. kirklandwa.gov
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with the Washington State History Museum — Jan. 16
The Washington State History Museum is putting on a variety of theater productions from Tacoma Arts Live and Living Voices that will include spoken word, dance, music, shadow play and more in tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. Learn more online; free. washingtonhistory.org
37th Annual University of Puget Sound Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration — Jan. 18
The University of Puget Sound in Tacoma is holding its annual celebration, which will feature a speech from the Emmy-nominated poet and equity advocate Christian Paige, followed by a reception. The event is open to all. Learn more online; free. pugetsound.edu
Advancing Racial Equity Series ft. BIPOC Businesses — Jan. 25
United Way of King County will be holding a panel of local business leaders and entrepreneurs of color to discuss the importance of economic empowerment. Namely, for you football fans, this event will include former Seattle Seahawk Doug Baldwin Jr. Register online; $10. uwkc.org
The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.