Each year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed as a federal holiday on the third Monday of January; this year it’s Jan. 20. According to nonprofit The King Center — founded by MLK’s wife, Coretta Scott King, to continue Dr. King’s legacy — this year’s strategic theme is “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence365.”
If you’d like to get involved + honor MLK’s message in the Asheville area, check out these local events:
Sunday, Jan. 19
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County will host a candlelight service at 5:30 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church. It honors people and organizations that are dedicated to social justice with keynote speaker Fletcher Mayor Preston Blakely.
Learn the philosophy + practice of Kingian Nonviolence at the 15th Annual Kenilworth Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Kenilworth Center starting at 2 p.m. Plus, enjoy music and food will be served.
Monday, Jan. 20
Spread the message of peace and justice with the Peace March + Rally hosted by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County. It begins with an 11:30 a.m. service at St. James A.M.E. Church followed by a peace march to Pack Square where the rally will be hosted.
Hood Huggers International is hosting a day of service at The Peace Garden from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Get ready to get your hands dirty + help small businesses and the community recover from Hurricane Helene.
This year, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast celebrates its 25th year at Blue Ridge Community College. Dig into a morning meal at this service-themed event with a speech by author, leader, and coach DeShannon Bynum Dixon.
Join the Burton Street Recreation Center to help beautify the Burton Street community at this group clean-up effort from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Volunteer
When Congress designated Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a holiday in 1994, it was named a day of service and called a “day on, not a day off.” If you’d like to find more ways to serve the community, you can explore our guide to volunteer opportunities.
