Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day to honor the civil rights crusader and is also a great time to teach kids about his life and what the Nobel Peace Prize winner stood for. The annual holiday has also been designated as a national day of service, for families to work to better their communities.
There are plenty of family-friendly events now to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy with the country on Jan. 16, 2023.
Film Screening: MLK/FBI (2020) at West Chicago Avenue Branch
Jan. 12, 2023
- Address: 4856 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Teens can enjoy a screening of MLK/FBI (2020), which is a documentary about what a former FBI agent calls the darkest part of the agency’s history.
MLK’s Chicago Freedom Movement at Wheaton Public Library
Jan. 12, 2023
- Address: 225 N. Cross St., Wheaton
- Cost: Free
Honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day with photographer Bernard Kleina and her rare and historic color photography exhibit.
Film Screening: Selma (2014) at Mount Greenwood Branch
Jan. 14, 2023
- Address: 11010 S. Kedzie Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Join the library for a screening of Selma (2014), which is set during the Civil Rights Movement and focuses on the actions of Dr. King. Rated PG-13.
Film Screening: Selma (2014) at Back of the Yards Branch
Jan. 15, 2023
- Address: 2111 W. 47th St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Join the library for a screening of Selma (2014), which is set during the Civil Rights Movement and focuses on the actions of Dr. King. Rated PG-13.
Film Screening: Selma (2014) at Chinatown Branch
Jan. 15, 2023
- Address: 2100 S. Wentworth Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Join the library for a screening of Selma (2014), which is set during the Civil Rights Movement and focuses on the actions of Dr. King. Rated PG-13.
Film Screening: Selma, Lord, Selma (1999) at King Branch
Jan. 15, 2023
- Address: 3436 S. King Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Free
Join the library for a screening of Selma, Lord, Selma (1999), which depicts two young black schoolgirls’ recollections of a violent civil-rights event in 1965 Alabama. Rated PG.
Black Creativity Family Day at Museum of Science and Industry
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Free w/general admission
Families can participate in Hear We Art, a community activity led by artist Rachel Gadson, from ILA Creative Studio. For all ages.
Family Event | Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Chicago History Museum
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago
- Cost: Free w/museum admission
Enjoy this annual family-friendly event at the Chicago History Museum. There will be activities and performances for all ages.
King Day at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 740 E. 56th Place, Chicago
- Cost: Free
Join the museum for its MLK Day event with a children’s story time, pop-up Civil Rights exhibit, DJ and more.
King’s Day at Amundsen (Roald) Park
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 6200 W. Bloomingdale Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Ages 6-12 can enjoy a fun event for MLK Jr. Day at Amundsen (Roald) Park. There will be a King Day craft, scavenger hunt, trivia and more. Registration required.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at the Institute of Nonviolence Chicago
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 819 N. Leamington Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
All ages are welcome to celebrate MLK Jr. Day with the Institute of Nonviolence Chicago. Lunch will be provided. Please bring hygiene products to donate for women and men.
MLK Day 2023: South Side Stories at Hyde Park Art Center
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 5020 South Cornell Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Teens can join Hyde Park Art Center to celebrate MLK Jr. and honor the legacy of historical Black leaders, spaces and stories from the Southside of Chicago. RSVP required.
MLK Day of Service: Warm Up America
Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 200 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville
- Cost: Free
Teens in grades 6-12 can help create a blanket for Warm Up America, a non-profit organization that donates blankets to those in need. Registration required.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at Back of the Yards Branch
Jan. 17, 2023
- Address: 2111 W. 47th St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Come out to the Back of the Yards Branch to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Enjoy stories, crafts and interactive projects.
Martin Luther King Jr. Literacy Triathlon at Douglass Branch
Jan. 17-19, 2023
- Address: 3353 W. 13th St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Ages 6-13 can partake in three days of literacy-related crafts and activities for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Film Screening: Selma Lord Selma (1999) at Coleman Branch
Jan. 18, 2023
- Address: 731 E. 63rd St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Join the library for a screening of Selma, Lord, Selma (1999), which depicts two young black schoolgirls’ recollections of a violent civil-rights event in 1965 Alabama. Rated PG.
This post is updated annually.
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