Reviewed by: Caleb Turrentine
15 ways you can celebrate MLK Day in Alabama
Reading time: 5 minutes

Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day is an exciting way to celebrate and honor one of the major events that ended segregation, along with Martin Luther King Jr, who led the way to freedom.
We’ve rounded up 11 great events around Alabama that are the perfect way to celebrate such an amazing accomplishment and one of the driving forces that paved the way to equality.
1. From Dream to Action in Selma
The Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth and Reconciliation is partnering with local Selma organizations to host a series of diversity and equity trainings, art projects and community service to honor MLK Jr.
- Location: 8 Mulberry Rd, Selma, AL 36703
- Cost: FREE
- Website
2. 11th Annual MLK Classic Stepshow
What better way to celebrate MLK Jr. than to see his very own fraternity perform: Alpha Phi Alpha? This event features historically-black sororities and fraternities that will perform their signature “step-shows” and celebrate MLK Jr.’s biggest accomplishment.
- Location: 126 N St Andrews St, Dothan, AL 36303
- Cost: $15
- Website
3. Visit the Dexter Parsonage Museum

Ever heard of being in the room where it happened? Well, now you can! The Dexter Parsonage Museum in Montgomery is the home in which King lived from 1954 to 1960. Here you can tour the home and the see the exact same interior from when MLK lived there.
- Location: 309 S Jackson St, Montgomery, AL 36104
- Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM-4PM I Saturday 10AM-2PM
- Cost: $7.50 Adults I $5.50 Children under 12
- Website I Facebook
4. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
The BCRI will host its annual celebration in honor of MLK Jr. Day. Guests will be able to tour the BCRI’s historic galleries, enjoy special programming and engage with different community partners around BCRI.
- Location: 520 16th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203
- Cost: FREE
- Website | Facebook
5. Birmingham Public Library
The Birmingham Public Library is set to host various activities that include a powerful lecture, a scavenger hunt and wreath-making events. The full list of events can be found here.
- Location: 2100 Park Pl, Birmingham, AL 35203
- Cost: Varies
- Website | Facebook
6. MLK Day Family Swim
Grab your goggles and join the Goldfish Swim School in Hoover for its annual MLK Day Family Swim from Noon to 1PM.
- Location: 5549 Grove Blvd, Hoover, AL 35226
- Cost: FREE
- Website | Facebook
7. MLK Day Hike at Monte Sano North
Come join the Land Trust of North Alabama on a fresh hike to commemorate the achievements of MLK Jr. You’ll hike the Oak Park and Buzzard’s Roost Trail for a total of 2 miles.
- Location: 2250 Oakwood Ave NE, Huntsville, AL 35801
- Cost: Varies
- Website | Facebook
8. United Way – Hands On MLK Day
The highly anticipated MLK Jr. Day of Service on January 20th will offer volunteer opportunities at Hayes Elementary School, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and Mount Olive Cemetery.
- Location: 529 43rd St N, Birmingham, AL 35222
- Cost: FREE
- Website | Facebook
9. Birmingham Squadron Annual MLK Celebration
Sunday’s game is the Squadron’s annual MLK Celebration, where the team will be honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The John Carroll Catholic School Trailblazers, four members of the local high school’s Class of 1964, the first integrated class in school history will also be honored.
- Location: 1898 9th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
- Cost: $17-100
- Website | Facebook
10. 32nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast
The breakfast event will be held at Wallace Community College Gymnasium Selma, starting at 9 a.m. to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr.
- Location: 3000 Earl Goodwin Pkwy, Selma, AL 36701
- Cost: $45
- Website
11. Unity March & Program Shelby County NAACP
This program recognizes community service and encourages all of the community to submit names and people for volunteer efforts.
- Location: 75 College Dr, Montevallo, AL 35115
- Cost: FREE
- Website
12. University of Alabama Realizing the Dream Events
Head to the University of Alabama for a celebratory banquet dinner honoring the Civil Rights Movement and the influence of Dr. King.
- Location: 240 Paul W Bryant Dr, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
- Cost: $30
- Website | Facebook
13. The 23rd Annual Martin Luther King
This breakfast is an annual event sponsored by the City of Anniston Good Choices Program. Its purpose is to commemorate the legacy of Dr. King while imparting to our youth the importance of perpetuating his vision of a united and non-violent society.
- Location: 1615 Noble St, Anniston, AL 36201
- Cost: FREE
- Website
14. 10th Annual Unity MLK Day Parade
This special annual parade commemorates the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. while promoting Unity and Peace in historical Downtown Broad Street.
- Location: 500 Broad St, Gadsden, AL 35901
- Cost: $10-25
- Website | Facebook
15. MLK Day of Service
This MLK Day of Service clean-up hosts one site in each of the seven city council districts. The purpose of the event is to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by inspiring citizens to give back to the community.
- Location: 625 Stanton Rd, Mobile, AL 36617
- Cost: FREE
- Website
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