North Texas cities will host parades, galas, concerts and volunteer drives from January 16-22 to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
At a Glance
- Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth and 10 other cities list 30+ events
- Largest gatherings: Arlington’s four-day festival and Dallas’ 10:30 a.m. parade on January 19
- Volunteer opportunities include food drives and neighborhood clean-ups
- Why it matters: Residents can celebrate, serve and learn without leaving their city
Arlington’s Four-Day Festival Kicks Off
The city’s “Advancing Dr. King’s Dream” series runs Thursday-Sunday.
- Jan. 16, 6:30 p.m. – MLK Advancing the Dream Gala
- Jan. 17, 11 a.m. – MLK Step Showcase
- Jan. 17, 7 p.m. – MLK Hubert Moss Ecumenical Service
- Jan. 19, 9 a.m. – Zeb Strong Jr. MLK Day of Service
- Jan. 19, 6 p.m. – MLK Youth Extravaganza
A historical timeline exhibit will travel to each venue.
Dallas Spotlights Music and Parade Tradition
Week-long events include:
- Jan. 17, 8 a.m. – MLK Fest
- Jan. 17, 6:30 p.m. – MLK Scholarship & Awards Gala
- Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m. – 43rd annual Black Music and the Civil Rights Movement Concert (tickets required)
- Jan. 19, 10:30 a.m. – City parade down MLK Boulevard
Fort Worth, Denton, Garland Join In
- Fort Worth – Jan. 19, 11 a.m. parade and rally; details at fortworthmlk.org
- Denton – Jan. 19, 10 a.m. celebration; visit Discover Denton
- Garland – Jan. 17, 10 a.m. parade and Jan. 18, 4 p.m. extravaganza
Suburban Cities Add Family-Friendly Options
| City | Event Highlights |
|---|---|
| Grand Prairie | Jan. 17 summit, Jan. 19 parade |
| Irving | Jan. 18 free observance with performances & readings |
| Mesquite | Jan. 18 parade ending at Arts Center |
| Plano | Jan. 19 parade plus Jan. 22 “Dream is Alive” concert |
How to Volunteer or Add a Missing Event
Residents can still sign up for service projects through individual city websites. Organizers say additional volunteer slots remain open.
Did we miss an event? Email NewsTips@News Of Fort Worth.com
