As communities across the Kansas City metro, Wichita, and throughout Kansas prepare to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., this slate of events invites residents to reflect, learn, and serve together. Most of these activities are free and open to the public—offering meaningful ways to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy and take part in a holiday rooted in action, unity, and community engagement.
FORT SCOTT
Thur., Jan.15, noon – 1 pm
Celebrating the Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Ellis Fine Arts Center ,2108 S Horton St, Fort Scott
A Tribute Reading of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from the Birmingham Jail” Presented by Fort Scott Community College & Pittsburg State University Students.
• Tomato soup, dessert, drinks and birthday cake will be available for free. (Attendees may also bring their own lunch).
• Photo Promotion taken with “I Stand For” signs by Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes. Free
Mon., Jan.19, 9 am – 1pm
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration Event
Ellis Fine Arts Center 2108 S Horton St, Fort Scott, Kansas
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. – (Food Drive) “Day of Service” – Join us as we collect canned and non-perishable food items to donate to the Beacon in Fort Scott, KS. Anyone in the community is invited to drop off canned and non-perishable food.
10:30. – 11:30 a.m. – Showing of the PBS home video documentary “In Remembrance of Martin”. In the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.
12 p.m. – 1 p.m. – (Lunch & Learn) – “The Dockum Drugstore Sit-In“
Presented by Dr. Prisca Barnes, Storytime Village, Inc., Wichita. Wichita’s Black students organized and staged a sit-in in 1958 at Wichita’s Dockum Drugstore. What transpired, how it ended, and the lasting impact it had on race relations in the city is the focus of this talk.
• Gumbo soup lunch, drinks, and dessert will be available for free (attendees may also bring their own lunch).
• Photo promotion taken with “I Stand For” signs” provided by the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.
Hutchinson
Fri., Jan. 16, 6 pm
Financial Empowerment & Kids Night
Stringer Fine Arts Center, 600 E. 11th Ave., Hutchinson
Events: “Money Mastery 101” seminar for adults and a concurrent “Kids Movie Night” for children.
Sat. Jan. 17, 11 am
Vendor Fair.
Stringer Fine Arts Center, 600 E. 11th Ave.
Featuring local community organizations, social clubs, and small businesses.
Community Celebration & Gospel Concert
Sun., Jan. 18, 2026, at 2:00 PM.
MLK Celebration
Stringer Fine Arts Center, 600 E. 11th Ave.
A large-scale gathering featuring inspirational speakers and soulful musical performances from local church choirs and the college.
Mon. Jan. 19, 10 am
Unity Project (MLK Day of Service)
Stringer Fine Arts Center, 600 E. 11th Ave.
A community service project focused on local needs; past projects have included community clean-ups and creating encouragement cards for local seniors.
JUNCTION CITY
Sun., Jan.18, 3 pm
Gospel Music Tribute
Second Missionary Baptist Church, 701 W. 10th St Junction City,
The event honors Dr. King’s legacy through music, spiritual reflection, and community fellowship. It is a collaborative effort involving various local church choirs and musical groups. Free
Mon., Jan.19, 10 am
C.L. Hoover Opera House MLK Ceremony
C.L. Hoover Opera House, 135 W. 7th St., Junction City
Theme “Being Non-Violent in a Violent World”. Free
KANSAS CITY
Sun., Jan 11, 2:20 pm
2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Service
Community Christian Church, 4601 N Main
This event will bond, heal, enlighten and build peace and reconciliation. Kingian principles for justice and reconciliation will be lifted. Faith leaders Bishop Frank Douglas, Dr. Sofia Khan, Rabbi Talia Kaplan and Mark Johnson speak and bring religious dialogue, common ground and understanding. Journalist and change agent Lewis Diuguid is special guest. Join us! Dr. Vernon Percy Howard, Jr., President
Mon. Jan., 19, 9:30 am – noon
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Speaker Program & Nature Walk
Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center, 3700 Blue Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64130.
9:30 – 10 am Check-in, registration, and warm refreshments at the Cultural Center.
10 – 11 am. Keynote address and opening plenary.
11am – noon. A guided nature walk along Brush Creek, focusing on the connection between humans and nature. The walk is led by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ranger.
Mon., Jan., 19, 10:30 am
KCK MLK Holiday Celebration
Memorial Hall, 600 N. 7th St Trfwy, Kansas City, KS
A pre-service program begins at 10:30 am, followed by the main celebration at 11 am. This event is a long-standing partnership between the Baptist Ministerial Alliance, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/KCK, and the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office.
Youth Praise Dancers, KCK Community Orchestra and other invited guests. MLK Mass Choir, Rosie’s Dance Studio, Krysti’s Dance Studio, MLK scholarship awards. Guest speaker Dr Claybon Lea Jr., Senior Pastor Mount Calvary Baptist Church Fairfield & Suisun City CA
Mon., Jan., 19, 6 – 8 pm
SCLC-GKC Martin Luther King Jr. Mass Celebration
Community Christian Church, 4601 Main St., Kansas City, MO.
Interfaith Dialogue / Musical Performances / Awards and Recognition / A Call to Action: Led by SCLC-GKC President Dr. Vernon Percy Howard Jr.
Mon, Jan. 19, 8 am
UMKC Dr Martin Luther King Jr 28th Annual Holiday Observance
UMKC Student Center, 5100 Cherry St, Kansas City, MO 64110
From vision to action: entrepreneurship, purpose and commitment. We will explore how Dr. King’s legacy of justice, economic empowerment and service continues to inspire purpose-driven leadership today. Continental breakfast provided. Featured speaker Chris Goode, founder and CEO Ruby Jeans Juicery
MANHATTAN
Sat., Jan. 17, 2 – 4 pm
Manhattan MLK Jr. Community Celebration
Manhattan Arts Center, 1520 Poyntz Ave
30th year of the Community Celebration with Art & Writing entries and distinguished speaker, She Mayberry III. Music, refreshments and birthday cake.
Sat., Jan 24, 8 am – 1 pm
MLK Day of Service
Leadership Studies Building, 1300 Mid Campus Dr., Manhattan, ks
Campus and community members are invited to serve on the annual MLK Day of Service, hosted by HandsOn Kansas State! All ages are welcome.
Volunteers will begin the day with breakfast and a program at the and then head to service locations – transportation will be provided if needed. Individuals or groups register at this link: https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cN5JeUB6JZHF0
Olathe
Tue., Jan 20, 9:30 pam
20th Annual MLK Community Celebration
MidAmerica Nazarene University, 2020 E. Sheridan St,, Olathe
Theme: “Called to Beloved Community: Our Sacred Work”. Honoree: Rev. Darryl Answer will be presented with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Living Legacy Award for representing the values of Dr. King’s legacy.
SALINA
Sun., Jan.18, 3:30 pm
Citywide Interfaith Community Service
St. John’s Lutheran Church 302 S. 7th St.
Features keynote speaker Rev. Carl Frazier, pastor at New Hope and Love Community Church and a board member for the Center of Peace and Justice in Topeka.
Mon., Jan. 19, noon.
MLK Jr. Day Youth Program
St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church 215 S. Chicago St., Salina
Designed to inspire local youth, this program typically includes musical performances from local schools’ music departments.
Mon., Jan.19, 2026, 7 pm
Kansas Wesleyan University MLK Commemoration Service
Kansas Wesleyan University, Sams Chapel in the Pioneer Hall.
Keynote Speaker: University trustee Kirk Holt. Performances: Musical selections by the groups Rise Up! and the Wesleyan Chorale. FREE
TOPEKA
Thu., Jan.15, 1 – 2 pm
The Governor’s Martin Luther King Jr. Program
Kansas State Capitol 300 W. 10th, Topeka, South steps
The governor’s annual march and proclamation ceremony celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. If weather does not cooperate, event will begin indoors in the first-floor rotunda.
Sat., Jan.17, doors open 5:30 pm, dinner 6:30 pm
Living the Dream, Inc. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Birthday Celebration
Ramada Hotel and Convention Center, Regency Ballroom, 420 SE 6th., Topeka
Guest Speaker: Kevin Willmott won an Academy Award and the BAFTA the British Academy award for co-writing with Spike Lee the feature film, Blackkklansman. The film also won the Grand Prix at the Cannes film Festival. He co-wrote and is the Executive Producer of the critically acclaimed film, Chi-Raq also directed by Spike Lee. $85
WICHITA
Mon., Jan. 19, 7:30 am
A.R.I.S.E. 10th annual Dr Martin Luther King Jr Heroes and Sheroes Scholarship and Awards Breakfast
Rhatigan Student Center, WSU
Tickets may be purchased from an A.R.I.S.E. member or by calling 316-258-2749 $40
Sat. Jan. 17, 11 am – 2 pm
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration & Awards Luncheon
BEGGS BALLROOM 1845 N Fairmont, Wichita
Join the Eta Beta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. as we celebrate the life, legacy, and leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at our annual Commemoration & Awards Luncheon. Keynote Speaker: Larry Randle Jr. Vice President of Manufacturing Operations, Textron Systems Tickets $50 www.ictalphas.org
Mon., Jan. 19, 12 – 5 pm
Greater Wichita Ministerial League Martin Luther King Jr Celebration
WSU Metroplex, 5025 E 29th, Wichita
Keynote Speaker Bishop Herman Hicks
Mon., Jan. 19, 8 am – 11:30 am
2026 MLK Day of Service: Wichita Habitat for Humanity
Century II, 225 W Douglas, Wichita.
Join over 150 volunteers for an incredible morning dedicated to framing the walls of safe, affordable homes right here in our community. This is a fantastic opportunity to gather your team for a fun and rewarding experience that directly helps families build a brighter future.
In the span of one morning, we will construct and stand all of the interior and exterior walls of two, three-bedroom homes. Construction will take place inside the Bob Brown Expo Hall at Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center. Free