Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026

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MLK Day of Service
 

Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by coming together for a meaningful Day of Service focused on community, reflection, and action. This free, family-friendly event takes place Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Scanlon Gym at the Mercer Park Aquatic Center. The event, which is being held in collaboration with the Black Voices Project, invites people of all ages to connect with local nonprofit organizations through volunteer opportunities, enjoy speeches and presentations, and take part in food and community activities. Attendees are also encouraged to support the Diaper Drive benefiting local families, with donations accepted through Jan. 19 at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center and Mercer Park Aquatic Center. Join us as we serve, learn, and build a stronger community together.

Schedule of Events

  • 8:45 a.m. – Community Meetup at Eastdale Plaza, 1700 S 1st Ave
  •  9:00 a.m. – March and Drive to Mercer Park Aquatic Center, 1317 Dover St
  •  9:30 a.m. – Opening Song: “We Shall Overcome"
  •  10:00 a.m. – MLK Bell Ringing Ceremony
    • Choir A & B Performances
    • Awards Ceremony
    • Guest Speaker
  • 12:00 p.m. – Community Lunch

Food Drive & Art Workshop

Join the community on January 19, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Iowa City Senior Center for a Food Drive & Art Workshop honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This family-friendly event combines service and creativity with a community potluck and a collaborative mural project, inviting people of all ages to come together, give back, and create something meaningful.
 
This event is part of Black Future Fest - a month-long, citywide celebration in Iowa City highlighting Afrofuturistic art, literature, fashion, and community imagination across generations. Learn more about this festival at icgov.org/BFF.