What’s going on for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in KC? See what’s open and closed
On Monday, Jan. 20, the U.S. will again celebrate civil rights icon the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and many events around Kansas City will honor his social justice legacy.
Many governments and businesses give their employees the day off for the national holiday, but nonprofits and community service organizations have long touted the motto of “A day on, not a day off,” to encourage people to participate in community service in King’s honor.
Other events happening Monday and in the days following will encourage discussions and education about civil rights, racial justice and King’s legacy.
Here’s how you can partake in the holiday.
When and where are Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in the KC area?
Local food bank Harvesters will encourage volunteers to help pack food for those in need in an MLK Day of Service from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, at its Kansas City facility at 3801 Topping Ave. All the volunteer slots of two hours each are full, but you can join the waitlist at harvesters.org.
A MLK Jr. Walk on Monday will provide an opportunity for reflection from the Heartland Conservation Alliance and KC Parks. It will begin at 9 a.m. at MLK Jr. Square Park at Woodland Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Kansas City, and end at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center, 3700 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
The Northland’s Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration will be at 10 a.m. on Monday at the Liberty High School Performing Arts Center. It will feature readings, awards, music and guest speaker Robert L. Hill of Community Christian Church.
At Olathe Public Libraries on Monday, there will be a MLK Jr. Day of Service & Celebration featuring projects for local nonprofits, as well as learning, story time and crafting activities. Events will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Indian Creek Library, 16100 135th St., and from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Downtown Library, 260 E. Santa Fe St.
The Southern Christian Leadership Council of Greater Kansas City will hold its annual MLK Mass Celebration at St. James United Methodist Church, 5540 Wayne Ave. from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday. A panel discussion will center on the question, “Where do we go from here?”
MidAmerica Nazarene University’s Annual MLK Jr. Community Celebration will be at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The event at College Church of the Nazarene, 2020 E. Sheridan, Olathe, will honor Senior U.S. District Court Judge Julie A. Robinson, the first African American appointed U.S. District judge in Kansas.
Volunteers with City Year, an AmeriCorps group focused on education, will host their MLK Day of Service from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, when they will paint inspirational murals in East High School, 1924 Van Brunt Blvd. Spots are full up, but interested volunteers can join the waitlist through Eventbrite.
The University of Missouri-Kansas City will continue its yearly Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture Series on Thursday, Jan. 30, at the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St. Featured will be Percival Everett, author of “James,” the 2024 National Book Award for Fiction. RSVP is required through umkcalumni.com.
What’s closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day around Kansas City?
The federal government will mostly be closed Monday, so there will be no postal service, stock market trades, or live help with taxes and other government matters.
It is also a holiday for Kansas, Missouri and Kansas City government employees, so don’t expect to be able to take advantage of those services on the holiday.
There will be no trash pickup Monday, beginning the new slate of 2025 trash holidays, and collection will be pushed one day forward for the rest of the week.
Private businesses can make their own determination on whether to close, but many will be open. Most grocery stores will be open, and FedEx and UPS will have modified services, with some locations closed.
Most schools, including Kansas City; Kansas City, Kansas; Shawnee Mission; Blue Valley; Lee’s Summit; Park Hill and North Kansas City have the day off for students and teachers.
Did we miss an event? Have a question about business and government closures? Let us know at kcq@kcstar.com.
