Looking for something to do to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 20, 2020? I’ve compiled a 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 75+ activities in Columbus for you to enjoy if you have the day off from school and work.
New York World-Telegram and the Sun staff photographer: DeMarsico, Dick, photographer. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Events in Columbus for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 20
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Breakfast
7 a.m. – 10 a.m. Greater Columbus Convention Center – Exhibit Hall C (400 North High Street) from 7 am – 10 am. “Keep Moving Forward” The largest event of its kind in the United States honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, with keynote speaker, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets are $50-$60; call or for availability as it may be sold out. Phone: 614.863.6442 Email: mlkbreakfast@yahoo.com. If you don’t get the chance to attend this year, mark your calendars for next year, as it’s an annual event.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast Celebration at Ohio Wesleyan University
7:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Delaware’s 26th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Celebration. The breakfast buffet opens at 7:45 a.m. with the program to follow at 8:30 a.m. Both the breakfast and program will take place in the Benes Rooms of the Hamilton-Williams Campus Center of Ohio Wesleyan University (40 Rowland Ave. Delaware, OH). Tickets are $25 and must be purchased in advance.
MLK Day of Learning at Capital University
8 a.m. – 6 p.m. The theme for the 2020 Day of Learning, “A Vision for Action”. MLK Day of Learning Speaker will be mental health advocate, speaker and author of Be Free. Be You, Achea Redd. Following the convocation there will be special activities, workshops, luncheon, kids’ activities, and more. See schedule.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast Celebration
Leadership Westerville and the MLK Jr. Legacy Project (formerly the MLK Breakfast Committee) invite you to the annual Westerville Luther King Jr. Breakfast Celebration, “Where Do We Go from Here : Chaos or Community?” at Villa Milano Banquet & Conference Center, 1630 Schrock Road from 7:30 – 9:30 am. This year’s featured speaker is Pastor Vaughn Bell. Tickets are $25-$30.
Columbus State Annual MLK Celebration
Columbus State Community College will celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at its 30th-annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration. The event will take place at 10 a.m. Jan. 21 at Mitchell Hall, 250 Cleveland Ave., Columbus 43215. Tickets are free with registration. Seating is first-come, first-served. The event will feature historical anecdotes about the life of Dr. King, a Keynote Speaker, and Musical Performances.
Community Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
11 am – noon. The Worthington community celebration to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. includes a variety of musical performances. A community luncheon will follow, and the entire event is free and open to the public. As a tribute to Dr. King’s commitment to help those in need, everyone attending the program is asked to bring a canned food item to be donated to the Worthington Food Pantry & Resource Center. Event held at Worthington United Methodist Church (600 High Street). Free and open to all.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Ohio History Center
Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with themed programming on January 20 from 10 am – 5 pm. More programming will be added.
- Collection Connection: Civil Rights in Ohio • 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
- Fighting for Union and Freedom • 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.
- Courage in the Skies: The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen • 1 p.m.
New York World-Telegram and the Sun staff photographer: DeMarsico, Dick, photographer. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
MLK Day Open House at King Arts Complex
Noon – 4 p.m. Annual community event is an excellent opportunity for children, families and friends to enjoy musical and live theatrical performances. Admission is free; donations appreciated. See schedule here.
MLK Day of Service Sponsored by White Castle at King Arts Complex
Martin Luther King Jr. once said “Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve.”Join us as we share this message with our kids, and make Monday January 20th a “day on, not a day off.” This is a drop-in event, part of the larger MLK Open House event put on by the King Arts Complex every year. Seeds of Caring, with the generous support of White Castle, will have 5 different service stations set up where kids can contribute to their community in meaningful ways in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Activities will include making comfort blankets for kids who are facing difficult times, creating small gifts to lift the spirits of homebound seniors, creating take-home art inspired by MLK’s legacy and more. The MLK Open House runs from 11-4 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. NOTE: This is a drop-in event, so feel free to join us anytime between 11-4pm.
MLK Brunch at Flavor 91 Bistro
We invite you to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Flavor 91 Bistro with our inaugural brunch! Brunch will be served from 11am – 2pm. Tickets are $30 per person and include 1 entree item and bottomless mimosas!
Schools out! Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 20
Free admission to the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
10 am – 4 pm, with free admission for all. $10 parking per vehicle for non-members still applies.
Kids Camp at The Party Studio
January 20, 10 am – 1 pm. Drop off your little Picassos (ages 5-12) for KIDS CAMP from 10am-1pm. Canvas Painting and Crafts! Light Snack included. (Feel Free to pack a snack) NO COUPONS ACCEPTED!!!
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.
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.
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!
Snow Trails Skiing and Snowboarding Central Ohio
Its 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
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.
AHA! Children’s museum
Teachers get in free to COSI
Certified educators get in free to COSI, every day! Must have proof of certification.
Robb McCormick Photography www.robbmccormick.com
Need more options? Here are some other fun things for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Monday, January 20, 2020
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.
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