Honor Dr. King's Legacy in the Capital Region

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was the embodiment of America's civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968, and his history in the U.S. capital region is legendary.

After all, the 1963 March on Washington drew more than 200,000 people to the National Mall for King’s famous "I Have a Dream" speech, emphasizing his belief that someday all men could be brothers. Each January, the nation pauses to celebrate King’s life and work. This year, honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by visiting the locations where the civil rights leader created history.

Pictured | Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Credit | @abeer.baninamera via Instagram

Arlington, Virginia

Arlington Parks MLK Tribute

The 2026 MLK Tribute will be held on Jan. 18 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. in the Wakefield High School auditorium. This annual celebration invites the community to come together for an evening of inspiration, performances, and shared reflection on Dr. King’s legacy of equality and service. It’s a time to honor his dream and renew our commitment to building a more compassionate, inclusive community.

Volunteer Arlington MLK Day of Service

Volunteer Arlington's annual MLK Day of Service celebrates the Civil Rights leader’s legacy with “a day on, not a day off." This year, the event will be held on Jan. 19 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Washington-Liberty High School. Volunteer your time and give back to these amazing local organizations, click here for more information.

Washington, D.C.

Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday D.C. Peace Walk and Parade

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Peace Walk and Parade is held annually and is taking place on Jan. 19 this year. It is coordinated by the Coalition for Peace, a group of individuals and non-profits dedicated to peace and positivity for the Washington D.C. metropolitan communities. This year's event will also feature a prayer breakfast, parade, essay contest, and wellness fair. For event registration and further event information, please visit their website here.

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture tells the complex story of perseverance and achievement of African Americans. Spend some time browsing the various exhibits and more than 40,000 artifacts on-site, some of which are directly related to the work of Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library

Named after MLK himself, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library is the central facility of the District of Columbia Public Library system and offers books, computers, events, exhibits, and special labs for various needs and interests. This is a great spot to do some light reading and relaxation on a day off.

MLK Memorial Library

Credit | @theinterstellarstudio via Instagram

Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial

Anyone can visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial on the National Mall. Located in West Potomac Park off Independence Avenue near the western side of the Tidal Basin, the memorial is best accessible to visitors from Arlington by taking the Metro (Orange/Blue/Silver lines) to the Smithsonian station. The memorial itself covers four acres and includes the Stone of Hope, a granite statue of the civil rights movement leader carved by sculptor Lei Yixin.