Martin Luther King Jr. Day
About
The third Monday of January honours civil-rights leader Dr Martin Luther King Jr. In DC it is marked as a national day of service, with volunteering events, wreath-layings and programs at the MLK Memorial on the Tidal Basin.
Highlights
- Federal holiday honouring Dr Martin Luther King Jr.
- National day of service with volunteering across DC
- Programs and wreath-laying at the MLK Jr. Memorial
Practical tips
- Visit the MLK Jr. Memorial on the Tidal Basin
- Government offices and banks are closed
- Look for service projects open to visitors
Sources
Other upcoming events
Jazz in the Garden 2026
On summer Friday evenings the National Gallery of Art turns its Sculpture Garden into a free open-air jazz venue. The 2026 'American Sounds' season nods to the nation's 250th, with passes given out by weekly lottery.
Wawa Welcome America 2026 (Philadelphia Semiquincentennial)
Philadelphia's free Wawa Welcome America festival expands for the US 250th, running from Juneteenth through July 4 with concerts, museum days and a grand finale concert and fireworks over the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Art Museum.
Great American State Fair on the National Mall 2026
A centerpiece of the US 250th, the Great American State Fair lines the National Mall for over two weeks with pavilions representing all 50 states, territories and federal entities — food, culture and exhibits ahead of the July 4 capstone.