MLK Day 2025: Honor civil rights leader’s legacy at parades, festivals in South Florida

Designated as “a day on, not a day off,” Martin Luther King Jr.’s National Day of Service is a federal holiday observed on the third Monday in January (the late civil rights leader’s birthday month).

Cities throughout South Florida are commemorating King’s fight for equality and human rights with events that feature inspirational speakers, volunteer opportunities, artistic tributes, movie screenings, parades and family friendly festivals.

Tamarac, for example, on Friday unveiled a 125-foot-long, 5-foot-high Social Justice Wall created by artist Michael Parker featuring portraits of social justice trailblazers such as King, Harriet Tubman, Jackie Robinson and Dr. James F. Sistrunk.

Here’s how you can honor MLK’s legacy in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

BROWARD COUNTY

Sistrunk Skyline Cinema: “Selma” — Watch the historical drama, which chronicles 1965 voting rights marches led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., from 7-9 p.m. Friday at the L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center, 1409 NW Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale. A conversation about the film’s themes will take place after the screening. Free admission, with concessions available for purchase. The event is sold out online, but walk-ins are welcome. Visit eventbrite.com.

Hollywood’s Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Speeches, bands and taiko drumming are part of the festivities from 7-10 p.m. Friday at ArtsPark, 1 Young Circle. Free. Visit hollywoodfl.org.

Sunrise’s Martin Luther King Jr. Celebrations

• Family Film: “The Color Purple” — Watch the musical remake of the 1985 classic at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Sunrise Civic Center Theatre, 10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd. Up to four free general-admission tickets are available per family by visiting the box office.
• A Night of the Arts — Celebrate King’s legacy with the “Futuristic Echoes” art opening reception, plus entertainment and light refreshments, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday at Sunrise Civic Center Art Gallery & Rotunda, 10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd. Free.

For more information, visit sunrisefl.gov. 

Tamarac’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday Celebration — A family friendly celebration with food trucks, a kids’ zone with bounce houses and a vendor hall with local businesses and community resources is set for 10 a.m. Saturday at Tamarac Park, 7501 N. University Drive. Entertainment will include contemporary and lyrical dance performances. The Deep Fried Funk Band is also expected to take the stage. Free. Visit tamarac.org.

Pompano Beach Martin Luther King Jr. Celebrations

• MLK Movie Night & Fish Fry will show “Sound Of Hope: The Story Of Possum Trot” and serve fresh fried fish at 6 p.m. Friday at the E. Pat Larkins Community Center, 520 NW Third St. Attendees younger than 18 require supervision. Free.
• MLK Parade & Celebration will kick off with the parade at 9 a.m. Monday at Blanche Ely High School, 1201 NW Sixth Ave. The route ends at Mitchell Moore Park, 901 NW 10th St., for a day of entertainment, music and a kids’ zone. Food trucks and merchandise vendors will be available. Free admission.

For more information, visit pompanobeachfl.gov.

Oakland Park MLK Celebration — A day of performances and activities for families will include an “I Have A Dream” speech excerpt, Levi Knowles “The Experience,” face painting, bounce houses, community vendors and free ice cream, from 1-5 p.m. Saturday at Wimberly Field, 4000 NE Third Ave. Free admission. Visit oaklandparkfl.gov.

Davie’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration — The ceremony will feature poetry contest readings, musical performances, light refreshments and speakers at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Pine Island Multipurpose Center, 3801 S. Pine Island Road. Free. Visit davie-fl.gov.

21st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Inspirational Celebration — The YMCA of South Florida will have a Day of Service on Monday, with community projects from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center, 1409 NW Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale, and 9 a.m. to noon at Juan Pablo Duarte Park, 1776 NW 28th St., Miami. Free. Visit ymcasouthflorida.org/standforsomething.

United Day Supports MLK Day of Service — Join YMCA teams, neighborhood groups and volunteers for activities such as painting panels, picking up litter and assembling care packages. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Monday at Provident Park, 1412 NW Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale. Free. Contact chief service ffficer Jorg Hruschka by calling 954-828-5568 or emailing jhruschka@fortlauderdale.gov. Visit fortlauderdale.gov.

Fort Lauderdale’s King Holiday Celebration: Continuing the Dream — Events begin with a parade at 9:30 a.m. Monday, departing from Sistrunk Boulevard and Northwest Fifth Avenue and ending at Carter Park, 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd. A Multicultural Festival begins after the parade at the park and goes until 3 p.m. Free. Visit kingholidaycelebration.com for a full schedule of events.

Dania Beach’s Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. — Have breakfast from 7-9 a.m. Monday at C.W. Thomas Park, 100 NW Eighth Ave., and then line the streets to watch a parade from 9-10:30 a.m. starting at C.W. Thomas Park and ending at Frost Park, 300 NE Second St. The Peace in the Park Celebration will take place at the parade’s end with music, food trucks and family activities. Free. Visit Facebook.com/cityofdaniabeach.

Deerfield Beach’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade and Celebration — The parade starts at 10 a.m. Monday from Pioneer Park, 217 NE Fifth Ave., to Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex, 445 SW Second St. Stay through 2 p.m. for a picnic lunch, kids’ activities and entertainment. Free. Visit deerfield-beach.com.

Miramar’s Dr. Martin Luther King Day Parade and Festival — Line up at 11 a.m. Monday around Sherman Circle to watch the parade, then head to Lakeshore Park, 8501 Sherman Circle, from noon to 3 p.m. for food, music and a kids’ zone. Free. Visit miramarfl.gov/Events/MLKDay.

Pembroke Pines’ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance — Poetry, speeches and performances will take place from 10 a.m.-noon Monday at the Charles F. Dodge City Center, 601 City Center Way. Winners of the Student Poetry Contest will recite their winning entries, and The Voices of Liberty of Spirit Life Ministries will perform from 11 a.m.-noon. A light breakfast will also be served. Free. Visit ppines.com.

Hallandale Beach’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day — Join a Unity Peace Walk beginning at 9:30 a.m. Monday, from northwest Eighth to Sixth avenues. Then, take part in a program from 10 a.m.-noon at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Dream Plaza, 610 NW Sixth Ave. Free. Visit hallandalebeachfl.gov.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Riviera Beach’s 41st annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Celebration in the Park — The parade steps off at 10 a.m. Saturday at Congress Avenue and MLK Boulevard, ending at MLK Boulevard and Avenue O. The parade viewing stand, vendor row and family fun area are at the Dan Calloway Recreation Complex, 1420 W. 10th St., where a post-parade celebration will take place from 1-3 p.m. Visit Facebook.com.

Royal Palm Beach’s 23rd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration — Breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m. Monday, with a program set for 10 a.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center, 151 Civic Center Way. The event, presented by the village and Caribbean-American for Community Involvement in Florida, will feature keynote speaker is Idell McLaughlin and a performance by Copeland Davis. Free. Visit royalpalmbeachfl.gov.

Boynton Beach’s holiday events

• MLK Day of Service — Participate in a neighborhood cleanup in honor of King and his legacy from 8-11 a.m. Monday at the Carolyn Sims Center, 225 NW 12th Ave., Boynton Beach. No RSVP is required, and no supplies are needed. Free.
• MLK Jr. Day Celebration — A day of music, food and community is planned from 1- 6 p.m. Monday at Sara Sims Park, 209 NW Ninth Ave. Free admission, with food and drinks available for purchase.

For more information, visit boynton-beach.org.

“I Have A Dream” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Brunch — Don Mizell, who developed the marketing strategy for creation of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday, is keynote speaker for the Delray Beach-based Spady Cultural Heritage Museum event from 10 a.m.-noon Monday at Indian Spring Country Club, 11501 El Clair Ranch Road, Boynton Beach. Tickets are $55. Visit spadymuseum.com.

Boca Raton’s Martin Luther King Jr. Celebrations — Free community events will take place on Monday including:

• “Don’t Give Up on the Dream” Community Breakfast, presented by Developing Interracial Social Change, from 8-10 a.m. at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, 200 Ruby St.
• March along Federal Highway from the MLK Jr. Memorial, 200 Ruby St., to the Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real, at 10 a.m.
• A ceremony from 10:30-11:20 a.m. with community leaders and organizations will honor the life and legacy of King at Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real. Keynote speaker is Dr. Alisha Winn.
• A Free Unity Celebration with performances, amusement rides, games and a service project, among other activities, will take place from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real.

For more information, visit myboca.us.

MLK Walk 2025 — Walk in support of unity, equality and community service at 2 p.m. Monday, starting at the Delray Beach Community Center, 50 NW First Ave., and ending at Pompey Park, 1101 NW Second St., Delray Beach. Free. Visit delraybeachfl.gov.

Palm Beach State College’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration — Retired Naval Capt. Gail Harris, who served as the first woman intelligence officer in a Navy aviation squadron in 1973, is the keynote speaker at this event set for 11 a.m. Thursday at the Duncan Theatre, Palm Beach State College, 4200 S. Congress Ave., Lake Worth. MLK Leadership Awards will be given to five honorees for community service. Free. RSVP at palmbeachstate.edu/mlk.

Originally Published: January 17, 2025 at 5:21 PM EST