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MLK Weekend 2026 in DC: 14 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
1/14/25 - By Stephanie Shipman

Looking for the best things to do in DC for MLK weekend 2026? 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.

Read on for details on these events and other family-friendly activities this MLK weekend 2026.

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Things to Do in DC this MLK Weekend 2025 with Kids

Time by Luxmuralis Light and Sound Installation at Washington National Cathedral

Washington, DC - Thursday, January 15 - Saturday, January 24
Step into Time, a breathtaking immersive experience by the UK-based art collective Luxmuralis, is making its DC debut at Washington National Cathedral. This one-of-a-kind experience invites you to explore humanity’s relationship with the concept of time through breathtaking visuals, evocative soundscapes, and thought-provoking storytelling. You’ll traverse wormholes, stand at the dawn of the universe, and witness the birth of our planet — all inside one of DC’s most iconic landmarks. READ MORE

Winter Lantern Festival (at Tysons Corner)

Tysons, VA - Thursday - Sunday, January 15-18
Free
The Winter Lantern Festival is back this holiday season, with a display of electrifying lights made from more than 1,000 handmade Chinese lanterns. Guests will enter and wander through a wonderland of light and color inspired by Chinese myths, legends, and zodiacs. Attractions will include a bounce house, sugar paintings, dino ride, interactive light swings, see-saws, tunnels, and many majestic creatures. READ MORE

Monster Jam at CFG Arena

Baltimore, MD - Friday, January 16 - Sunday, January 18
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

Disney's High School Musical Jr. at Encore Stage & Studio

Arlington, VA - Friday - Sunday, January 16-18
Join Troy, Gabriella, and the students of East High in this fun-filled musical about friendship, self-discovery, and following your dreams. As cliques clash and the "status quo" is challenged, this energetic show reminds everyone that it's okay to break the mold and shine in your own way. READ MORE

STOMP at The National Theatre

Washington, DC - Friday - Sunday, January 16-18
STOMP is explosive, inventive, provocative, witty, and utterly unique. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments—matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps—to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. READ MORE

MLK Service Cleanups with Montgomery Parks

Montgomery County, MD - Saturday - Monday, January 17-19
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

Drawing Stories: Family Art Day at NMAI

Washington, DC - Saturday January 17
Free
Learn about historical and contemporary ledger art and narrative art through tours of the exhibition Unbound: Narrative Art of the Plains, along with storytime and family-friendly hands-on activities. 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

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

Reston, VA - Monday, January 19
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

The Annual MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk & Parade

Washington, DC - Monday, January 19
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 – National Landing

Alexandria, VA - Monday, January 19
Free
The Friends of Mount Vernon Trail are improving the trail near National Landing. 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 19
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

MLK Service and Learning Day at Frying Pan Farm Park

Herndon, VA - Monday, January 19
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 19
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
DC has loads of free opportunities kids will enjoy. Photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr
DC has loads of free opportunities kids will enjoy. Photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr

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