“I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.”
– Martin Luther King Jr. Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Oslo, Norway, 1964
There are few people in history as notable as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and since many schools and offices are off to honor him on January 15, 2024, I hope you all spend the day living out his legacy with kindness, service, or learning.
Lucky for us, there is no shortage of great things happening, including several FREE events.
Get inspired to get your kiddos thinking critically at one of these great local events and make it a day ON, not just off 😉
2024 MLK Day Events in Southeast Michigan
Watch Selma at Ann Arbor Public Library {Ann Arbor} — Visit the downtown Ann Arbor branch at 2 p.m. to view the film Selma, which highlights the epic march from Selma to Montgomery. FREE.
Visit Cranbrook Institute of Science {Bloomfield Hills} — Visit the Institute for FREE. Pre-register for a time slot here.
Visit the Charles H. Wright Museum for a celebration {Detroit} — Enjoy museum-wide family activities, including multiple workshops, a film screening of Selma, scavenger hunts and more. Tickets are $15/adults, children and youth under 17 are FREE.
Get your knowledge on at The Detroit Historical Museum {Detroit} — Celebrate Dr. King’s legacy with Sharon Elizabeth Sexton, who will read from and discuss her new children’s book MLK Jr’s Detroit Dream. Based on her own experience of attending the 1963 Detroit Walk to Freedom, the book describes the triumphs and tragedies of the American Civil Rights movement from a child’s perspective. After, children are invited to make their own signs and join a peace march through the museum. The day will conclude with a birthday celebration for Dr. King with cupcakes and singing and a selfie station with a life-sized photo of Dr. King. Participation is free with registration. Register here.
Enjoy FREE Admission to The Henry Ford for MLK Day {Dearborn} — Visit THF from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The day includes free admission, parking and activities.
Sitting inside the infamous Rosa Parks bus inside The Henry Ford is the perfect catalyst for discussing history and the Civil Rights era with kids.
Flint MLK Jr. Celebration {Flint} — Join the Flint Public Library from 2-4 p.m. for a celebratory program of the life and work of Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. This annual event will be filled with song, poetry, spoken word, and community-engaged conversation. The King Center has established this year’s theme as IT STARTS WITH ME. FREE to attend.
FREE Day at Flint Children’s Museum {Flint} — Head to the Flint Children’s Museum for a FREE day of MLK activities, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Celebrate Unity Day at Novi Public Library {Novi} — Gather from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. to celebrate unity. FREE to attend; pre-registration encouraged.
Participate in an MLK Day of Service in Livingston County. See various volunteer opportunities here.
If you’d rather stay close to home, visit here to find a volunteer opportunity, try these inexpensive random acts of kindness, or hit up the library! There are so many amazing books highlighting Dr. King’s work.
How do you celebrate MLK Day in your home?
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