Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day is observed on the third Monday of January each year to honor the life of the Civil Rights leader. The holiday was signed into law in 1983, and it was first observed in 1986. It took another 14 years for the holiday to be observed in all 50 states.
Montgomery County has a rich history of honoring the legacy of Dr. King with service projects, as well as the annual tribute to Dr. King’s birthday at the Music Center at Strathmore.
Rockville’s 53rd Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
Feature performances, film screening with Q&A session, diversity and inclusion panel discussion, and service project opportunities.
Rockville High School
Hosted by the City of Rockville
Jan. 15 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Learn more
Rockville presents its 53rd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration Jan. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Rockville High School. The celebration includes a continental breakfast, film-screening with Q&A session, diversity and inclusion panel discussion, children’s performance by Groovy Nate, and service project opportunities. For a full list of events and volunteer opportunities, visit the Rockville website.
Say It Loud! Play It Loud! Festival
The BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown hosts a day of music, art exhibitions, film-screenings and a record fair in celebration of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. on Saturday, Jan. 13 starting at 10 a.m. Film screenings, art exhibitions and the record fair are free. Performance tickets start at $35 for a 8 p.m. concert by Nag Champa Art Ensemble and The JoGo Project featuring Desiree Jordan.
Learn more on the BlackRock Center for the Arts website.
“We are Martin” Annual Birthday Tribute and Celebration
Montgomery County is hosting its annual Martin Luther King Jr. birthday tribute and celebration from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Music Center at Strathmore. The free event, We Are Martin, features the ensemble Sweet Honey in The Rock whose music is rooted in African American history and culture. Several members of the group are residents of the county. The free tickets can be reserved on the Strathmore’s website.
County Executive Marc Elrich and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Commemorative Committee host the event. The event also features presentations by members of the County Council and a number of musical performances.
The Montgomery County Office of Human Rights and the Montgomery County Volunteer Center are partnering with Interfaith Works in a special Day of Service “Fill A Truck Initiative.” Attendees are encouraged to bring toiletry items for donation to the County’s homeless shelters. Suggested items for donation include portable shower caddies (for carrying items), bars of soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, lotion, lip balms, travel-size shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, new wash cloths and towels.
Montgomery County’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 2024
Montgomery County Volunteer Center and other organizations coordinate service projects throughout the county. Volunteers of all ages will have the opportunity to get involved in a wide variety of service projects, and high school students can earn student service learning hours to meet one of their graduation requirements.
Projects include creating scarves for hospice patients, crafting greeting cards for seniors, assembling emergency care kits for children as well as many others.
Here’s a list of some of the service events happening Monday, Jan. 15 around the county that need volunteers:
MidCounty Recreation Center
Make fleece blankets for hospitalized children and journals for cancer patients.
Hosted by Project Linus Montgomery County Chapter
Monday, Jan. 15 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Learn more and register.
Damascus Recreation Center
Multiple Service Projects
Hosted by NEST4US
Monday, Jan. 15 from noon to 2 p.m.
Learn more and register.
Germantown Recreation Center
Multiple Service Projects
Hosted by Xi Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Elijah’s Blessing: More than a Model
Monday, Jan. 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Learn more and register.
North Potomac Recreation Center
Blankets for Veterans
Hosted by Montgomery Hospitce
Monday, Jan 15 from noon to 2 p.m.
Learn more and register.
Montgomery Parks
Trail and parks clean up
Friday, Jan. 12 – Monday, Jan. 15
Hosted by Montgomery Parks
Learn more and register
All service events are free, but space is limited and advance registration is required. For a full list of Montgomery County Volunteer Center service projects, click here.
