CONNECTICUT (WTNH) – Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 20th marks the birthday of one of the country’s most influential civil rights leaders.

Check out our list of events celebrating his life and legacy on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the following week:

Branford MLK Breakfast
Monday, January 20 at 8:30 a.m. | Branford High School

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Dr. Jeffrey C. Stewart will speak at the 40th Annual Rev. Dr. MLK Jr. Heritage Foundation speak.

Peabody Museum MLK Day Poetry Slam
Monday, January 20th from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven

The Yale Peabody Museum will host a “Z-Experience Poetry Slam” with an open mic for community poetry at 11:30 a.m. and a welcoming team slam at 1 p.m. There will also be social and environmental justice activities for children and families, as well as performances by Sons of Allen Men’s Choir and musician Michael Mills.

Children’s march and bell ringing
Saturday, January 25th at 12pm | St Peter’s Episcopal Church in Cheshire

Join us for a March for Unity, Peace and Hope that celebrates the power of youth.

MLK Observance at the University of Hartford
Wednesday, February 5th at 12:45 p.m. | Lincoln Theater in Hartford

The theme for 2025 is “I am my ancestors’ wildest dream.” The event will feature the 2025 MLK Beloved Community Awards and feature several keynote speakers.

Annual MLK Love March
Wednesday, January 15 at 10:30 a.m. | Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in New Haven

94.3 WYBC and Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church host an annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Love March in New Haven. The march has been taking place for over 50 years.

Wadsworth Atheneum
Monday, January 20, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. | 600 Main St. in Hartford

The Wadsworth Atheneum offers free admission to celebrate King’s legacy with artists, storytellers, dancers and musicians. The Salt & Pepper Gospel Singers of New Haven will perform at 4 p.m

New Britain Museum of American Art
Monday, January 20 at 10:30 a.m. | 56 Lexington St. in New Britain

The CT Center for Nonviolence and the New Britain Museum of American Art are offering people and families free admission to art activities, interactive drumming, a poetry workshop and dancing to celebrate King’s legacy.

West Hartford’s annual celebration
Monday, January 20th at 10 a.m. | West Hartford City Hall

The city will hold the 29th annual celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. host. This year’s theme is Dr. King’s message about resilience.

MLK tribute concert
Thursday, January 23rd at 7 p.m. | Asylum Hill Congregational Church

The Hartford Symphony Orchestra performs as a tribute to Dr. King host a free concert.

MLK Living Legacy Convocation
Friday, January 31st at 6 p.m. | Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts

The convocation will honor the 2025 MLK Living Legacy honorees and will feature Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Todd Dulaney.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Children’s March for Peace
Saturday, January 25th at 12pm | St Peter’s Episcopal Church in Cheshire

Following the march there will be a ceremony and bell ringing in honor of Dr. King’s legacy.

MLK birthday party
Saturday, January 18th at 3 p.m. | Smith Middle School Auditorium in Glastonbury

The family-friendly community celebration includes music, dancing, speakers, crafts, community resources and a cake honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Other

Martin Luther King Jr. at the Connecticut Memorial
Anytime | Simsbury Free Library, 749 Hopmeadow St.

In 2018, Simsbury High School students erected a monument honoring Dr. King.

Book discussion with Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II
Wednesday, January 22nd at 5 p.m. | Henry R. Luce Hall in New Haven

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II will speak with David W. Blight about Barber’s book “White Poverty: How Exposed Myths About Race and Class Can Reconstruct American Democracy.” This is a face-to-face event with the possibility of remote viewing.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video, visit WTNH.com.