As Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaches, there are plenty of ways to give back to your community, reflect on the history of the civil rights movement, and engage with the powerful cultural and political shifts that have shaped our nation.
🤝 Volunteer Opportunities
- The 30th annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service is considered the largest in the country, with opportunities to spend the day in a variety of ways, like packing toiletry kits or snack bags for people in need. Click through to this portal for a full list.
- Charles Papa Recreation Center is seeking volunteers to help stuff hygiene care bags for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- Charles Chew Recreation Center's Renew, Protect, and Reset event involvies trash removal, chair yoga, giveaways, and complimentary breakfast and lunch.
- Christy Recreation Center holds a clean-up day to refresh this West Philly community space.
- West Fairmount Park hosts an MLK Service Day event with volunteers of all ages assisting with trash collection, trail maintenance, and cleaning the sidewalk path.
🏛️ Museums
- Admission to the African American Museum is half off from Jan. 17-19 and is free on Monday, when visitors can enjoy live music, a variety of different activities for children, and a visit from none other than the Phillie Phanatic.
- The Museum of American Revolution honors MLK Day with special performances and discussions, including tours of the “Black Voices of the Revolution” exhibit.
- The Please Touch Museum hosts an MLK celebration on Monday where families can engage with his legacy through musical performances and painting projects.
- The National Constitution Center offers free admission on Monday and features recitations of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, civil rights-era music, and themed crafts.
🎻 Musical Performance
- The Philadelphia Orchestra performs its 35th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert at the Girard College Chapel at 3 p.m. The performance will feature compositions by Black composers woven together with excerpts from King’s “I Have A Dream” speech. The orchestra will be accompanied by the choirs of the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts and the Girard College High School Choir. The concert is free, but you must reserve a ticket online.
📜 Activities
- Mural Arts Philly hosts a Printmaking by the People workshop focused on the Declaration of Independence and printmaking, with speakers reflecting on the Declaration’s modern day relevance.
- The Committee of Seventy guides volunteers in creating Civic Engagement Starter Kits as part of its Understanding How Philly Works project, aimed at boosting civic education.
