 marks a national day of service that is considered “a day on, not a day off.” Here are some great ways to honor the legacy around the Bay Area.){kind=link}
Martin Luther King Jr. Day marks a national day of service that is considered “a day on, not a day off.” Here are some great ways to honor the legacy around the Bay Area.
2025 MLK March – JAN. 20. This poignant and symbolic journey, paying homage to the historic Selma to Montgomery marches, spans 1.5 miles from San Francisco’s Caltrain Station to Yerba Buena Gardens, where there is an interfaith commemoration. It will be followed by a health and wellness festival at 12pm and music festival at 1pm. For more events, visit norcalmlkfoundation.org/events. 11am. FREE.
San Francisco CalTrain Station, 700 Fourth St., San Francisco
“In the Name of Love” – JAN. 18. This year’s event presented by Living Jazz will honor the vision and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. through the music of Aretha Franklin. 7pm. No children under 2. $19.15-129.05.
Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland
MLK Day Parade and Rally – JAN. 20. El Cerrito holds a parade and rally each year. See website for details.
MLK Noontime Concert – JAN. 14. This free concert will launch San Francisco’s MLK Celebration Week with classical music evoking themes of peace, unity and the ongoing pursuit of social progress. 12:30pm. FREE.
Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, 660 California St., San Francisco
National Day of Service – JAN. 15. MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service. You can find opportunities in your community on AmeriCorps’ website.
americorps.gov/serve/volunteer/mlk-day
San Leandro MLK Celebration – JAN. 18. The celebration includes live entertainment, student oratorical contest for grades 3-12, crafts for kids and light refreshments. 10:30am. FREE.
Marina Community Center, 15301 Wicks Blvd., San Leandro
Shoreline Cleanup – JAN. 20. In honor of the holiday and Day of Service, people of all ages can help clean up the Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline, with cleanups at the Tidewater Boating Center and Oakport Staging Area, and gardening and maintenance at MLK Grove. 9am-12pm. FREE, no registration required.
Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline, Doolittle Drive and Swan Way, Oakland