WISCONSIN — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a holiday that commemorates King’s birthday and his legacy, lands on Jan. 20.
From Milwaukee to Green Bay, there are several events being held throughout the day and the days surrounding the holiday to honor King.
Milwaukee area
41st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration
Location: Marcus Performing Arts Center
Date: Monday, Jan. 20
Time: 4 p.m.
This free celebration has taken place annually since 1984. It highlights youth in the community who interpret Dr. King’s words through student contests. The winners are showcased at the celebration.
YMCA Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Location: Potawatomi Casino Hotel Event Center
Date: Monday, Jan. 20
Time: 7:30 a.m. (registration and networking), 8 a.m. (program and breakfast)
In its 28th year, this annual celebration recognizes nonprofits who are dedicated to serving others, the creativity of youth, powerful speakers and more.
Kids Impact Community’s MLK Day of Service 2025
Location: Congregation Shalon - Fox Point
Date: Monday, Jan. 20
Time: 10 a.m.
This family-friendly event includes a special guest speaker from Mr. Bob’s Under the Bridge. The time will be filled with story time, music, movement and service. During the day of service, guests will pack winter hygiene kits, on-the-go snack bags for those struggling with housing insecurity and more.
Lifting Our Community: MLK Day of Service
Location: Various/United Way’s Milwaukee Volunteer Center & Waukesha County Business Alliance
Date: Monday, Jan. 20
The United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County are recognizing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with an annual day of service. Oppurtunities include volunteering at senior centers and helping beautify community spaces.
Living the Beloved Community
Location: Cedarburg Cultural Center
Date: Monday, Jan. 20
Time: 6 p.m.
The city's diversity committee is putting on this community event, where attendees will look into King's "Beloved Community" speech from 1956 in small group discussions. Groups can also consider a video reflection from his daughter, all while enjoying refreshments.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Celebration
Location: Waukesha County Technical College
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 21
Time: 10:30 a.m.
WCTC will host a free annual MLK Day event at the Anthony J. Natalizio Center with a keynote speaker celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy.
Madison area
Martin Luther King Jr. Free Community Dinner
Location: UW Gordon Dining & Event Center
Date: Friday, Jan. 17
Time: 4:30 - 7 p.m.
This free dinner celebrates Dr. King’s spirit of community. Dinner will consist of baked and fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, mac and cheese, biscuits, sweet potato pie and beverages.
“I Have a Dream” Scholarship Ball
Location: The Monona Terrace
Date: Saturday, Jan. 18
Time: 6 - 11 p.m.
Women In Focus, Inc., is hosting a ball to fund scholarships for high school seniors and adults returning to continue post-high school education. The evening includes dinner, dancing, a live DJ, auction and more.
MLK Outstanding Youth Person Breakfast
Location: Edgewood High School
Date: Sunday, Jan. 19
Time: 7:30 - 10 a.m.
The Urban League of Greater Madison will recognize more than 200 middle and high schoolers “who are excelling in school and community honoring the spirit of Dr. King.”
MLK Ecumenical Service
Location: S.S. Morris AME Church
Date: Sunday, Jan. 19
Time: 4:30 - 6 p.m.
This church service aims to bring people of different faiths together in the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood. The service will honor Dr. King’s values of social justice and equality while promoting community “through spiritual inclusivity and recognition of our shared humanity.”
MLK Youth Call to Service
Location: Madison Central Library
Date: Monday, Jan. 20
Time: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Middle school aged youth groups or teams of students can participate in workshops, snag a free t-shirt, enjoy lunch and try their hand at a variety of activities. Workshops and activities aim to encourage kids to serve in the spirit of Dr. King.
40th Annual City of Madison & Dane County MLK Observance
Location: Overture Center for the Arts, 201 State Street
Date: Monday, Jan. 20
Time: 5 p.m. for Freedom Songs Sing-Along and 6 p.m. for program
Enjoy a performance from the MLK Community Choir, engage with the 2025 MLK Humanitarian Awards presentation and listen to keynote speaker Bishop Vashti McKenzie, the first female bishop of the AME Church.
Fox Valley area
Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Location: Titletown
Date: Monday, Jan. 20
Time: 1 p.m.
Titletown will offer a small activity that benefits the community for MLK Day. On the Rockwood Terrace, guests can enjoy crafts and coloring an MLK Day Poster. The craft, a placement with positive messages, will be donated to the residents of Woodside Manors and Villas, an assisted living community.
MLK Day Celebration with the Green Bay Conservation Corps
Location: Triangle Sports Area
Date: Monday, Jan. 20
Time: 1 p.m.
This four-part event is being hosted by the Green Bay Conservation Corps. It includes family-friendly activities such as sledding, a snowman building competition, social hour and a panel discussion. This year's panel includes Charles Caston from We All Rise: African American Resource Center, Rashad Cobb from Brown County United Way, Rep. Amaad Rivera-Wagner with the State Assembly and Bibi Lutter from Bibi African Hair Palace.
A Vision for Peace: Keep the Dream Alive
Location: Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Date: Jan. 18
Time: 10:30 a.m.
NWTC is hosting the 30th annual Brown County MLK Celebration, which is free to the public. The event includes a K-12 contest, the reading of the “I Have a Dream” speech, cultural performances, and more.
34th Fox Cities Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Location: Lawrence University Memorial Chapel
Date: Jan. 20
Time: 6 p.m.
Lawrence University will host its 34th MLK Day celebration, with speaker Charisse Burden-Stelly and musical performances from Lawrence University student group and NOIR, Preston Parker ft. The Omoladé Academy and The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Choir.