1-19-2026 4:06am

Keeping Alive the Purpose of the MLK Holiday

Alan Earls Editor

Like so many American holidays, concatenated into a weekend to make a convenient "Monday Holiday" -- it can be easy to forget why the holiday exists in the first place. Above, is an image of the jail cell Dr. King inhabited in Birmingham while he wrote "Letter from a Birmingham Jail Cell" as recreated in the National Civil Rights Museum. Of course, it was far from the only time King was arrested or harassed.

Below is a quick summary of events honoring King. Please be sure to verify all information before attempting to participate.

Eastern Massachusetts (Boston area + MetroWest)

Boston — 56th Annual MLK Memorial Breakfast (9:00 AM) — Westin Copley Place Ballroom; keynote speaker listed as Nikole Hannah-Jones.
Boston — MLK Day of Service / volunteer projects (10:00 AM) — Boston Latin School (MLK Boston “Beloved Community Weekend”).
Boston — Celebration in Honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1:00 PM) — Faneuil Hall (MLK Boston listing / event page).
Boston — Museum of Fine Arts “MLK Day” Open House (10:00 AM–5:00 PM) — free admission for MA residents (per MFA)
Cambridge — City MLK Day Commemoration & Remembrance (11:00 AM–2:00 PM) — St. Paul AME Church, Central Square (also livestreamed via Zoom).
Cambridge — MLK Day of Service & Learning (2:00–5:00 PM) — welcome gathering at Central Square Church; service/learning projects follow.
Natick — 21st Annual MLK Community Celebration (9:30–11:00 AM) — Natick High School Auditorium (15 West St.).
Dedham — 9th Annual MLK Day Celebration (5:00–7:00 PM) — Dedham Middle School (70 Whiting Ave.).
Framingham — MLK Day Celebration (Greater Framingham Community Church) — doors/networking & hot breakfast from 7:00 AM, program 8:00–8:45 AM (hybrid).

Rhode Island

Providence — RI MLK State Holiday Commission annual tribute (listed for Jan 19; time promoted as 10:00 AM in a “Save the Date” post) — Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Newport — “Keeper of the Dream & Annual Meeting” (MLK Community Center) (5:00–7:00 PM) — MLK Community Center, 20 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd.