What’s open, closed and going on for Martin Luther King Day in KC?
Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, to be celebrated Monday, Jan. 19, is a federal holiday as well as a state holiday in Missouri and Kansas, so there will be no postal service, and most federal, state and local government offices will be closed.
But if you’re looking for things to do on the holiday, you will have a healthy selection. Not only are there multiple celebrations of the civil rights icon, but many area attractions will be open.
Here are some ways to celebrate the holiday.
MLK Freedom Run
When: 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17
Where: Mill Creek Park, 47th Street and Mill Creek Parkway
What: Stress-free run/walk over 5 kilometers, 10 kilometers or 13.1 miles. The event is sold out for runners.
Information: eventbrite.com
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Action Event: ‘I Have a Dream: The Beloved Community’
When: 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17
Where: Village Presbyterian Church, Mission Campus, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village
What: Christal Watson, mayor/CEO of Wyandotte County Unified Government and first Black woman in the role, will be the keynote speaker.
Information: villagepres.churchcenter.com/calendar
Kansas City Kansas Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
When: 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19
Where: Memorial Hall, 600 N. Seventh Street Trafficway, Kansas City, Kansas
What: Claybon Lea Jr., senior pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Fairfield and Suisun City, California, will be the guest speaker. It will include Kansas City Kansas Community Orchestra and other entertainment.
Information: facebook.com
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
When: 9 a.m.-noon, Monday, Jan. 19
Where: Cleaver Family YMCA, 7000 Troost Ave.
What: Participate in a variety of projects, including transforming plastic bags into sleeping mats for those in need and preparing sandwiches for the hungry.
Information: kansascityymca.volunteermatters.org
MLK Jr. Nature Walk and Speaker Program
When: 9:30 a.m.-noon, Monday, Jan. 19
Where: Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center, 3700 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
What: Keynote by Dina Newman, director of UMKC’s Center for Neighborhoods, and other talks followed by a guided nature walk along Brush Creek.
Information: heartlandconservationalliance.org
Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration
When: 4 p.m., Monday, Jan. 19
Where: College Church of the Nazarene, 2020 E. Sheridan St., Olathe
What: MidAmerica Nazarene University’s annual celebration features the Rev. Darryl Answer as speaker and Living Legacy Award recipient.
Information: mnu.edu
What Kansas City-area attractions will be open?
Among those scheduled to operate:
- Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
- National WWI Museum and Memorial
- Truman Presidential Library and Museum
- Arabia Steamboat Museum
- Union Station attractions
- The Rabbit hOle
- Museum of BBQ
Scheduled to be closed include:
- Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium
- Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
- American Jazz Museum
- Museum of Kansas City
- Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center
- National Museum of Toys and Miniatures
Other holiday notes
- Trash pickup will be delayed a day in Kansas City, Missouri, but will run as scheduled in Kansas City, Kansas. In other communities, you’ll want to check with whoever provides your waste-collection service.
- Schools will be closed in Kansas City, Missouri; Kansas City, Kansas; Shawnee Mission; Blue Valley; Olathe; Lee’s Summit; Independence; and most if not all other districts.
- All major public libraries will be closed, including Kansas City Public Library, Mid-Continent Public Library, Kansas City Kansas Public Library, Johnson County Library and Olathe Public Library.
