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MLK Weekend 2026 in Connecticut: Best Things To Do With Kids

Get out in CT this weekend with MLK Community Day at New Britain Museum of American Art. Event photo courtesy of the museum.
Get out in CT this weekend with MLK Community Day at New Britain Museum of American Art. Event photo courtesy of the museum.
1/14/26 - By Jennifer Coe

Looking for the best things to do in Connecticut this Martin Luther King Jr. weekend? Here are some events and activities to add to your list for this holiday weekend.

January may be cold and quiet, but it’s the perfect month to bundle up, step outside, and rediscover how a little fresh air and adventure can bring your family closer together. This weekend, Ice Mosaics begins at Parkville Market in Hartford where you can see beautiful illuminated murals made entirely from ice! Speaking of ice, see Disney on Ice at People's Bank Arena. Characters from Frozen and Encanto will be skating in an adventure to find Elsa and Mirabel will save her family too!

Celebrate the holiday at MLK Day at the Wadsworth Athaneum in Hartford. There's also MLK Day at the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport, while New Haven hosts the MLK Day of Service and Celebration at Yale Peabody.

To see what else is happening around the state, browse the Mommy Poppins Events Calendar. For the latest and best family-friendly activities, subscribe to our weekly newsletters and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

More Things To Do in Connecticut this Week with Kids: 

 

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Celebrate community all weekend long as MLK Day 2026 comes to Connecticut. Photo courtesy of the New Britain Museum of American Art
Celebrate community all weekend long as MLK Day 2026 comes to Connecticut. Photo courtesy of the New Britain Museum of American Art

Things To Do MLK Weekend 2026 in Connecticut

Ice Mosaics in Hartford

Hartford
Friday & Saturday, January 16 & 17, 2026
Ice Mosaics is a breathtaking winter wonderland showcasing illuminated murals made from brilliantly colorful ice shards. Wander through a magical ice landscape bursting with vivid light and color! Cozy up with steaming hot chocolate and mouthwatering s'mores at our fire pits. READ MORE

Celebration of Martin Luther King at New Haven Museum

New Haven
Saturday, January 17, 2026
A family friendly celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. will be held at the New Haven Museum on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 1 to 4 p.m. The theme of the all-ages MLK Day at New Haven Museum will be King’s acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.  READ MORE

Frozen, PJs & Pancakes Party at 1741 Pub & Grill

Middlefield
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Indulge in pancakes, eggs, and all your favorite breakfast treats - yes, for dinner! - while enjoying Disney's Frozen playing on the TVs in the background. Kids can also unleash their creativity with some crafts, making it the perfect snowy adventure for the whole family. READ MORE

Reptiles Then and Now at Riverside Reptiles

Enfield
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Experience REAL FOSSILS from dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures at this unique educational program by Patrick Murphy from Jurassic Classroom! See RREC animals side by side with fossils from their ancient cousins from millions of years ago; learn how dinosaurs live in their modern descendants. READ MORE

Disney on Ice at People's Bank Arena

Hartford
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Step inside the magical adventures of Disney's Frozen and Encanto as they are brought to life like never before at Disney On Ice! Dazzling ice skating transports you to Arendelle to be a part of Anna’s adventure to find Elsa, whose icy powers unleashed an eternal winter. Olaf, Kristoff and Sven take you along as they encounter wintry conditions in a race to bring back summer. READ MORE

Storytime Splatter Workshop at Creative Jam

Bristol
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Join Creative Jam for a journey into the world of art and imagination with our "Storytime Splatter" workshop, inspired by the book, "Art & Max" by David Wiesner. This engaging activity is perfect for budding young artists aged 5 to 8. READ MORE

Poppi's Planet East Lyme Community Center

East Lyme
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Welcome to Poppi’s Planet, where mindfulness and wonder come to life while exploring big feelings! READ MORE

Kid's Stuff-A-Donut Workshop at Lyman Orchards

Middlefield
Sunday, January 18, 2026
It's Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Join us at the Apple Barrel Farm Market for a Stuff-A-Donut Workshop, the perfect way to keep kids busy on their day off from school! Kids will love decorating their own donut, choosing from a variety of delicious fillings, frostings, and toppings to create the ultimate sweet treat. READ MORE

Community Day at NBMAA: MLK Day

New Britain
Monday, January 19
The Museum continues its partnership with the CT Center for Nonviolence (CTCN) to present a day of art-making, interactive music and dance performances, a poetry writing workshop, and guided gallery conversations focused on the theme "Choose Love." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said “At the center of Nonviolence stands the principle of love.” Join us for a series of programs on MLK Day centered on love and community. READ MORE

MLK Day at the Discovery Center in Bridgeport

Bridgeport
Monday, January 19, 2026
While Mondays are typically reserved for our members, in recognition of the holiday and the many families off from school and work, Discovery will be open to the public for this special day. Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy: Hands-on activities and crafts, Planetarium shows, Live science demonstrations, Opportunities for families to explore and learn together. READ MORE

Kindness Rocks: Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Niantic Children's Museum

Niantic
Monday, January 19
School's out for the day, so Niantic Children's Museum is opening their doors this Monday for the children to come and play. Stop by the museum to paint your own kindness rock and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s mission to make the world a better place. READ MORE

Martin Luther King Jr Community Day in Hartford

Hartford
Monday, January 19
Honor Dr. King’s enduring legacy with a day of creativity and reflection through art-making, performances, tours, and more. Join textile artist Ed Johnetta Miller and use a variety of colors, shapes, and textures to design a card highlighting prominent civil rights leaders. READ MORE

Community Day: Fun and Games at Fairfield Museum of History

Fairfield
Monday, January 19
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, families and friends of all ages are invited to learn about and play with toys and games. Explore the new exhibition Welcome to the Toyshop!, enjoy Native American games with educators from The Institute for American Indian Studies, try colonial games, challenge your family to board games, and more. READ MORE
January means it's time to hit the slopes with the family! Photo courtesy of Mohawk Mountain
January means it's time to hit the slopes with the family! Photo courtesy of Mohawk Mountain

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About the Author

Jenny Coe
Jenny Coe is a longtime Mommy Poppins writer and contributor and full-time mom to three boys. Jenny has also been a contributor at Patch and The Reminder (Hartford Courant). Here at Mommy Poppins, Jenny writes about great things for kids to do in Connecticut and New England, affordable fun, and nature experiences (her favorite!).
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