Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Columbus

Looking for something to do to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 20, 2025? See our list of things to do on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Columbus. 

The first section contains specific events in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the following section contains links for activities in Columbus for you to enjoy if you have the day off from school and work.

2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Day events

Happy Birthday, Martin! Crossroads of Freedom

Saturday, January 18 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Martin Luther King Branch, 1467 East Long Street, Columbus, OH, 43203
Meeting Rooms 1, 2 and 3

Enjoy a time to reflect on Martin Luther King Jr., in an interactive experience with food, raffles, art, books, music and more! Details here. 

MLK Jr. Day Celebration at Ohio History Center

Monday, January 20, 2025 • 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Ohio History Center, Columbus

Celebrate the life and legacy of civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King through visual and performing art performances. This is a unique opportunity to learn about the impact of Dr. King’s teachings and learn how his work changed the trajectory of the country. 

More information on the program will be added to the website! Please check back here.

Seeds of Caring MLK Day of Service

January 20, 2025 at 12 pm, 1 pm, and 2 pm. Details and sign up here. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said “Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve.” Join us as we share this message with the kids of Columbus and celebrate MLK Day with our friends from White Castle and in partnership with The King Arts Complex and Ohio History Connection!

Seeds of Caring will provide 5 youth service stations as part of the larger MLK Open House Celebration taking place at the Ohio History Center. Activities include making “Use Your Voice” posters, assembling cleaning kits for recently housed neighbors, decorating and packing breakfast meal kits for kids experiencing food insecurity, suncatchers for seniors to brighten their day, and creating dream catchers inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.

The MLK Open House Celebration runs from 12pm-4pm with free admission; in addition to the service activities, you will find art activities, education, and live theatrical and musical performances honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Breakfast

January 20, 2025 from 7:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
“Honoring the Man, Sustaining His Legacy, Preserving His Dream”

The City of Columbus takes great pride in its observance of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Martin Luther King Breakfast Committee, Inc. invites the public to the Columbus signature King Holiday event attended by thousands of diverse multicultural at Columbus Convention Center. The largest event of its kind in the United States honoring Dr. King.

Tickets are $50 and are limited. See more details and purchase tickets here.

Delaware and OWU MLK Celebration

January 20, 2025 from  10-11:45 a.m.

“Growing Towards Justice: From Root to Fruit”
The theme is drawn from the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1967 speech “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community” during which Dr. King proclaimed, “The plant of freedom has grown only a bud, and not yet a flower.” The statement eloquently reminds us that although important progress has been made, the fight for civil rights has not yet reached full bloom.

The 2025 keynote speaker is Dr. Valerie Lee, a retired professor of English and former chair of three Ohio State University academic departments – English, Women’s Studies (now Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies), and African American and African Studies. Her latest book, “Sisterlocking Discoarse: Race, Gender, and the Twenty-First-Century Academy,” was a finalist for the 2021 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award in the Education Category.

Also highlighting the celebration, the Columbus Adventist Academy Children’s Choir will perform, directed by Tamaria Kulemeka.

Individual tickets are $35, and sponsorship for the event is $260 for a table of eight. 

Purchase tickets online by January 10, 2025

Ohio Wesleyan’s Hamilton-Williams Campus Center
40 Rowland Ave.
Delaware, Ohio

MLK Day of Learning at Capital University

January 20, 2025 from 10 am – 3:30 pm
All are welcome to participate in the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Learning at Capital University. The theme of this event is “Legacy of Courage: Celebrating the Voice that Inspired Change”

Join fellow students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Registered attendees are encouraged to attend the keynote, engage with fellow learners in workshops, and participate in service activities.

See full list of activities and register online. 

Westerville MLK Jr Celebration

January 20, 2025 at 8 am. Leadership Westerville Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Project hosts the Annual Westerville Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. The theme for the 2025 program is: 

“Creating the Beloved Community, Even When We Don’t Agree.”

Tickets are available for $30-$35; register online. The Medallion Club

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and Learning at Charity Newsies

Monday, January 20, 2025 · 11am – 2pm.

Featuring a complimentary lunch with a panel discussion on racial disparities in education, the Martin Luther King, Jr.

Day of Service will feature a morning of volunteer service along with a tour of Charity Newsies followed by a complimentary luncheon featuring a panel discussing various aspects of the achievement gap and racial disparities in education. Made possible with the support of ServeOhio. 

Reserve a spot.

Charity Newsies, 4300 Indianola Avenue Columbus, OH 43214

Honor Dr. King’s Legacy: March with AAMWA in the Mayor’s March

January 20, 2025 from 2:30 – 6pm

Come together to march in unity and solidarity, spreading love and equality in our community. We will gather outside of the Lincoln Theatre at 2:30 PM to line up for the parade’s start at 3 PM. Participants will receive free AAMWA swag to wear during the parade. 

Details here. 

Lincoln Theatre, 769 East Long Street Columbus, OH 43203

Columbus State Annual MLK Celebration

January 22, 2025
Generation to Generation: 35 Years of Honoring Dr. King at Columbus State 

Columbus State Community College celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration. The keynote address will be given by Reuel Barksdale, Professor, Business and Paralegal Program, Columbus State Community College

See the full list of activities for the week on the website. 

Schools out! Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 20

MLK Skate at Skate Zone 71

Special event skating parties Friday – Monday! All Children Between the Ages of 3-17 Are Required to Pay Admission and Skate Rental Upon Entering. Adults 18+ not skating, may enter for free. See details on website.

United Skates of America 

Special skating sessions are available through the long weekend of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. See options on website.

Grab your sled: Sledding hills in Columbus

Will we have snow? No one knows, but if we do, a day off is a great chance to hit the hills at these sledding hills in Columbus.

Grab your sled: Best Sledding hills in Columbus

Indoor and Outdoor Ice Skating in Columbus

Whether you want to brave the outdoors, or skate in a temperature controlled rink, you’ll have a blast on the ice! See options for indoor and outdoor ice skating!

Indoor and Outdoor Ice Skating in Columbus

Snow Trails Skiing and Snowboarding Central Ohio

Snow Trails just a short drive from Columbus and you’ll burn calories on those hills, whether you ski, board, or tube.  Offering extended hours over Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend. See details here.

Snow Trails Skiing and Snowboarding is OPEN! Read more about the snow season

Over 85 Indoor Play Places and Activities for Kids around Columbus

It’s going to be COLD! You don’t have to be trapped inside though – check out one of the 50+ indoor play areas. Many are free!  Please check links for holiday or weather closures.

So many Indoor Play Places and Activities for kids around Columbus

Teachers get in free to COSI

Certified educators get in free to COSI, every day!  Must have proof of certification. Details here.

Need more options? Here are some other fun things for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

Black History Month: February

Columbus Metropolitan Libraries are celebrating Black History Month with events and activities during the month of February, in addition to celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday in January.