Here are just some of the events you and your family can participate in to learn more about Dr. King’s work and honor his legacy of serving others
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (MLK Day) is Monday, Jan. 20. We strive to continue the mission of Dr. King, for a more just world for all. Here at Providence Swedish, we are proud to call Justice one of our core values.
Consider taking time this MLK Day to connect with your neighborhood or volunteer in service of your community. As Dr. King said, “Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve.”
The annual MLK Day holiday, which we observe on the third Monday in January, is an opportunity to celebrate Dr. King’s life, learn about his work and practice his example of courage and commitment. Here are just some of the MLK Day 2025 events you and your family can participate in to learn about Dr. King’s work and honor his legacy of serving others:
Volunteer your time. Take the time to help those in your community.
- United Way of King County is offering a host of MLK Day volunteer opportunities. These include volunteer work for the Seattle MLK Jr. Organizing Coalition, the Hunger Intervention Program, supporting refugee food access locally with World Relief, and much more.
- Green Kirkland is hosting a MLK Day 2025 stewardship event which is open to youth volunteers, Jan. 20.
- The YMCA of Snohomish County hosts a day of service where volunteers can help with food distribution, organize donations, or support the thrift store, Jan. 20.
- The city of Lynnwood hosts a MLK Day of Service, Jan. 20 to clean up and repair Mesika Trail.
- Join a volunteer opportunity with City Year supporting South Shore PK, Jan. 25. Volunteers are asked to wear clothes they can get dirty and closed-toed shoes.
Educate yourself. There are abundant resources for those who want to learn more about Dr. King’s life and work.
- The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change Center in Atlanta offers a vast collection of online resources and virtual events for students, educators and researchers. The King Center was established on June 26, 1968, by the late Mrs. Coretta Scott King approximately two months after the assassination of her husband Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on April 4th of the same year.
- The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University is home to a large collection of Dr. King's papers and other significant King-related material, including this compelling multi-media exploration of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech.
Celebrate Dr. King’s legacy. There are many local and national events on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to educate ourselves and celebrate his life. The following are just a few throughout our region:
- Enjoy the free Annual King County Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration, 6 p.m., Jan. 14 at IKEA Performing Arts Center in Renton. This year’s theme is “Dedication to Community.”
- Edmonds Bookshop will hold a book drive from Jan. 13–19, 2025. The books collected support the MLK Day event at the Edmonds Waterfront Center, Jan. 20.
- The Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon takes place 12-1:30 p.m., Jan. 17 at the Seattle Convention Center.
- Seattle Colleges annual Community Celebration of MLK takes place Jan. 17 featuring a keynote address from writer and educator Tim Wise.
- Join an MLK Freedom Run in Seattle on Jan. 18, that is open to all paces and ages.
- Seattle, Mercer Island and the Eastside come together in a competitive basketball tournament, the 2025 MLK Classic, Jan. 18-20.
- Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee hosts a two-day event in Everett, Jan. 19-20.
- Seattle MLK Jr. Organizing Coalition will hold its 42nd Annual MLK March, Rally and Opportunity Fair, Jan. 20 at Garfield High School.
- Enjoy the all-ages Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration at Northwest African American Museum, Jan. 20. Includes story time, book giveaways, and community conversations.
- Folks farther south can attend the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration, a community outreach fair hosted by the city of Tacoma, Jan. 20.
- Edmonds Waterfront Center hosts an MLK Tribute and Celebration, including dancing, games, children’s book readings, and arts and crafts, Jan. 20.