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MLK Weekend 2025 in DC: 15 Best Things To Do with Kids

Commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Annual MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk & Parade. Photo courtesy of the Washington Informer
Commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Annual MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk & Parade. Photo courtesy of the Washington Informer
1/15/25 - By Stephanie Shipman

Looking for the best things to do in DC for MLK weekend 2025? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

The DC area is particularly meaningful to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Annual MLK Peace Walk & Parade and several other fantastic events are great ways for families to celebrate and honor Dr. King.

Want to take action? Participate in the MLK National Day of Service or help clean up a local park in Alexandria, Virginia or Montgomery County, Maryland.

There are even some fun free shows, like the Let Freedom Ring Celebration at The Kennedy Center, hosted by actor Taye Diggs. Read on for details on these events and other family-friendly activities this MLK weekend 2025.

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Collage Dance Collective presents “RISE”. Photo by Tre'bor Jones, courtesy of the McLean Community Center
Collage Dance Collective presents “RISE”. Photo by Tre'bor Jones, courtesy of the McLean Community Center

Things to Do in DC this MLK Weekend 2025 with Kids

MLK Service Cleanups with Montgomery Parks

Montgomery County, MD - Friday - Monday, January 18-20
Free
Recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day through a volunteer park cleanup at parks across Montgomery County. Participants can help clear litter from streams, beautify green spaces, and do other things to protect natural spaces and wildlife. READ MORE

Little Tyke Hike (at Rock Creek Park Nature Center)

Washington, DC - Friday, January 17
Free
Bring your little ones to this FREE event to learn about the forest and how to explore nature. This program includes learning about nature through books, animal puppets, magnifying glasses, and a very short hike on a paved path. These hikes will happen on Jan. 17 and Jan. 31. READ MORE

Mayor Muriel Bowser's Skate Party

Washington, DC - Friday, January 17
Free
Come out and for an evening of fun, good vibes, games, and music. Everybody get your roll on, all while enjoying food, good company, and good skaters. Let’s test your skating skills while grooving to music! Parents are welcome to skate join the fun. READ MORE

Monster Jam at CFG Arena

Baltimore, MD - Friday, January 17 - Sunday, January 19
Monster Jam is a live monster truck competition featuring dozens of 11-foot-tall, jacked-up trucks racing around in the dirt. The competition features some of the most popular monster trucks, like Grave Digger, Megaladon, El Toro Loco, Fragon, and more. READ MORE

MLK Birthday Celebration Especially for Youth (at Reston Community Center)

Reston, VA - Saturday - Monday, January 13-15
Free
Children can rotate through a series of activities including a performance, an age-appropriate video, and arts and crafts. All activities are based on the history of Dr. King and the civil rights movement.  READ MORE

Collage Dance Collective Presents “RISE” (at McLean Community Center)

Mclean, VA - Saturday, January 18
“RISE”, choreographed by Collage Dance Collective co-founder and artistic director Kevin Thomas, is inspired by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s final speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” which was delivered at the Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee on April 3, 1968. This thought-provoking ballet is a reflection of what we have overcome and envisions where we go from here. Students enrolled in McLean Community Center’s dance program, led by Art in Motion, will also perform in “RISE” alongside the professional touring company. READ MORE

Potomac River Cleanup for MLK Jr. Day of Service at Anacostia Park

Washington, DC - Saturday, January 18
Free
Join Potomac Conservancy for Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service trash cleanup at Anacostia Park. Make a difference for the Potomac River and turn to the water for a safe, healthy place to recreate outdoors and celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy. READ MORE

Let Freedom Ring Celebration (at the Kennedy Center)

Washington, DC - Sunday, January 19
Free
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Georgetown University celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a FREE, ticketed musical tribute, the Let Freedom Ring Celebration. The annual program, part of the Center’s Millennium Stage performance series, features musical performances by Christopher Jackson, Esperanza Spalding, Chelsey Green, Lew Sid, and the NEWorks Voices of America and NEWorks House Band, led by music producer Nolan Williams Jr. The event is hosted by Taye Diggs. READ MORE

The Annual MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk & Parade

Washington, DC - Monday, January 20
Free
Coordinated by the Coalition for Peace, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Peace Walk is held annually on the MLK holiday. Over a thousand Peace Walkers join in the two-mile walk along MLK Ave in Southeast DC. READ MORE

MLK Day of Service – Mount Vernon Trail

Alexandria, VA - Monday, January 20
Free
The Friends of Mount Vernon Trail are improving the new Long Bridge Connector Trail that connects to the Mount Vernon Trail in Arlington. Volunteer to remove invasive vegetation growing into the trail. Anyone and everyone can volunteer.  READ MORE

MLK National Day of Service

Various Locations - Monday, January 20
Free
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day each year, Americans are encouraged to step up to make communities more equitable, and to take action to create the beloved community of Dr. King’s dream. Examples include cleaning up a public space, mentoring a young person, or helping those who are food insecure. READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

National Parks - Monday, January 20
Free
It's National Public Lands Day, and that means your admission is FREE! On select days throughout the year, all national parks are open to the public with no admission fee. READ MORE

2025 MLK Celebration: Community Service Projects at Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate

Reston, VA - Monday, January 20
Free
Honor Dr. King’s legacy by serving the community with friends and neighbors, and support a few local charities. READ MORE

MLK Service and Learning Day at Frying Pan Farm Park

Herndon, VA - Monday, January 20
Free
Introduce your young ones to Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor Center. Learn about Martin Luther King Jr. and the importance of giving back to our community. Rotate through stations to hear about the Civil Rights Movement, participate in a service project, and reflect on the power of community cooperation.  READ MORE

Wreath Laying Service at the MLK Memorial

Washington, DC - Monday, January 20
Free
Gather your family and pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's legacy by attending an early morning wreath laying at his memorial. READ MORE

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