11 Metro Detroit Events to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2025

Remember the Civil Rights leader with Wayne State University, The Wright Museum, and more
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Stock photo of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr Day is on Jan. 20, and institutions across metro Detroit are celebrating the late Civil Rights leader with a variety of special events. Here’s a look at what’s going on.

MLK Celebration: Let Freedom Ring

This public event celebrates the life of Dr. King by honoring six social justice stewards including Willie Horton, who will receive the Humanitarian Award, Minister Malik Shabazz, who will receive the Social Justice Award, Eva Garza Dawaelsche of Ser Metro Detroit, who will receive the Social Service Award, and Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr., who will receive the Keep Hope Alive Award. Ester Gordy Edwards will receive the Humanitarian Award and Viola Liuzzo will receive the Social Justice Award posthumously. In addition, there will be performances by The Dr. Martin Luther King High School Dance Workshop. The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313presents.com

“Sixty Years After Selma and We’re Still Marching” A Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The 25th anniversary of Wayne State University’s annual tribute to King (and the 60th anniversary of the historic Selma Montgomery Voting Rights March) will be held Friday, Jan. 17, and features performances by the Detroit PAL Cheerleaders, WSU Freedom Player, Social Justice Theatre Ensemble, and the Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences Show Choir. Plus, former U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow will receive the Warrior Strong Distinguished Service Award while Dr. William F. Packard will posthumously receive the Dr. Arthur L. Johnson Community Leadership Award. The Hilberry Gateway Performing Arts Center, 4715 Cass Ave., Detroit; communityoutreach.wayne.edu.

Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The iconic Motown Museum is celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. with immersive tours that will teach you about Motown’s role during the Civil Rights Movement. You’ll also get the chance to listen to some of Dr. King’s iconic speeches — including one recorded and released by Motown’s Gordy Label — and explore the Black Forum Label. Tours begin at 10 a.m. and run every 30 minutes through 5 p.m. Ticket fees apply. Tickets must be purchased online or at the museum box office. Motown Museum, 2648 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; motownmuseum.org

MLK Day at The Wright

Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with he Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit on Jan. 20. The day will begin with a prayer breakfast that features a program with a keynote speech from LaTosha Brown, the co-founder of the Black Votes Matter Fund. There will also be a screening of the documentary The Evers, storytelling, a treasure hunt, an interactive workshop that “explores how creative expression can bridge divides,” and much more. You can even explore some of the museum’s exhibitions including Frontline Prophet: James Baldwin, Gems From The Wright Museum, and Paul Collins: The Traveling Artist. Tickets required for some events, prices vary. The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit; thewright.org. 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

Eastern Michigan University will celebrate the life of Dr. King with an extended week of special events “Driven By The Dream.” Due to extreme cold, this year’s Walk to Freedom has been canceled, so festivities will kick off with the President’s Luncheon, followed by a book signing with activist Dr. Mary Frances Berry, on Jan. 20. An MLK basketball game against the Ohio Bobcats happens on Jan. 21 and the Black History 101 Mobile Museum makes a stop on campus Jan. 22-23. Dr. Khalid el-Hakim will host a lecture at the mobile museum at 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 22. Various locations at Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti; emich.edu.

U-M Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium

Erica Alexander, an actress, activist, entrepreneur, and creator, hosts a keynote, Restless Dissatisfaction: An Urgent all for the Pursuit of Justice and Equality, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This event also includes youth programming ahead of the lecture, music by Carillonist Tiffany NG and jazz artist Etienne Charles, and more. Various locations at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; oami.umich.edu.

“A Day On, Not a Day Off” – MLK Jr. Day of Service 2025

The cities of Royal Oak, Clawson, and Berkley are holding a joint Martin Luther King Jr. Day event. Members of the community will gather at Berkley High School to donate non-perishable food, home items, toiletries, diapers, kids’ books, and clothing to area organizations including Redford Brightmoor Initiative, Cass Community School Services, Judson Center, and Royal Oak First United Methodist. Berkley High School, 2325 Catalpa Drive, Berkleyromi.gov

22nd Annual Detroit MLK Day Rally & March

Gather at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in Detroit at noon for an MLK Day march with the theme “It’s Time to Fight Back.” This year’s event honors 60 years of mass movements in Waawilyatanong (Detroit) and commemorates the 96th birthday of Dr. King while “building the movement against war, genocide, hate, and fascism and for human needs and human rights.” Nancy A. Parker, the executive director of Detroit Justice Center as well as other cultural workers in our area will deliver speeches during the event. St. Matthew’s & St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church, 8850 Woodward Ave., Detroit; mlkdetroit.org

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation is offering free admission and parking, along with three days of special programming in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The With Liberty and Justice for All exhibit, which explores the painful evolution of American Freedom, will be open during the event. Other programming includes a musical performance by Mahalia Jackson, the queen of gospel; a live recital of some of Dr. King’s most famous speeches, performed by actor Tony Lucas; an original play called “The Beginnings of the Boycott,” and a free screening of The Rebellious Life of Ms. Rosa Parks on the museum’s Giant Screen Experience. The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn; thehenryford.org

21st Annual MLK Fellowship Breakfast

The Macomb County Ministerial Alliance hosts a breakfast to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King. In addition to breakfast, this year’s event, which is themed “Facing the Challenge of a New Age,” includes a musical performance by Darius James and a keynote with Dorian Cast, the senior pastor at LAM Christian Church in Warren. Admission is $50. Penna’s of Sterling Heights, 38400 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights; mcma86.com

Southfield MLK Peace Walk

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force, Inc. hosts this 40th annual event in the first Michigan city to hold a Dr. King peace walk or march back in January of 1986. It all kicks off at 9 a.m. at Hope United Methodist Church in Southfield with the peace walk. Afterwards, at the Southfield Pavilion, participants will enjoy a Taste Fest and programming themed to “Equality, Inclusion, and Diversity.” Hope United Methodist Church, 26275 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, and Southfield Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield; mlktaskforcemi.org

This post has been updated for 2025.