Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day to honor the civil rights crusader and is also a great time to teach kids 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 on Jan. 20, 2025.
This article was updated on Jan. 9, 2025, by Chicago Parent’s Audience Development Coordinator, Kari Zaffarano. The update includes adding family friendly MLK Jr. Day events to the ChicagoParent.com calendar and highlighted included the best MLK Jr. Day events to check out with your family. For questions, contact Kari at kari@chicagoparent.com.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Story Time at Greater Grand Crossing Branch
Jan. 11, 2025
- Address: 1000 E. 73rd St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Ages 0-6 can visit the Greater Crossing Branch to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of crafts and stories. Registration required.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Story Time at King Branch
Jan. 14, 2025
- Address: 3436 S. King Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Free
Ages 3-13 can come to King Branch to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with crafts and stories.
Happy Birthday, Dr. King! at South Shore Branch
Jan. 15, 2025
- Address: 2505 E. 73rd St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Ages 6-plus can come out to the South Shore Branch to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with crafts, stories and activities.
Open Mic and Poetry Contest: Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. at Woodson Regional Branch
Jan. 15, 2025
- Address: 9525 S. Halsted St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Ages 10-18 can take part in an open mic and poetry contest to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. through songs, poems, raps and speeches.
Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. at Austin Branch
Jan. 16, 2025
- Address: 5615 W. Race Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Ages 13-19 can learn about and honor the late civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr. with crafts and activities.
Tween Thursdays: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Craft! at Back of the Yards Branch
Jan. 16, 2025
- Address: 2111 W. 47th St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Ages 10-18 can join the Back of the Yards Branch to learn history and create crafts in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
MLK Day Celebration at Brainerd Branch
Jan. 18, 2025
- Address: 1350 W. 89th St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Ages 6-13 can come out to the Brainerd Branch to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with history facts and a craft.
Black Creativity Family Day at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Jan. 20, 2025
- Address: 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Free w/general admission
Families can participate in a day of community art experience, engage in creative activities and explore a juried art exhibition. For all ages.
Family Event | Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Chicago History Museum
Jan. 20, 2025
- 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.
MLK DAY 2025: Echoes of Freedom at Hyde Park Art Center
Jan. 20, 2025
- Address: 5020 S. Cornell Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Teens can join Hyde Park Art Center to celebrate MLK Jr, Black creators and artists, shop at a pop-up bookshop, interactive art activities for all ages, enjoy live music on sonic performances and more.
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