Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be observed on Monday, January 20. There are events in New Jersey in celebration of Dr. King’s memory, many with an emphasis on unity, tolerance and volunteering to honor the civil rights leader. We’ve rounded up events taking place throughout NJ to inspire education about his legacy and service in his memory.
January 18-20
Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend 2025
Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia, PA
Watch a 30-minute first-person performance about Elizabeth Freeman, known as Mumbet, who was sued for her freedom but won. Living historian Leslie Bramlett will talk about the lives of women of African descent who were connected to the Revolutionary era, Hannah Archer Till and Ona Judge. There will be other pop-up talks, a community engagement wall, family activities in the discovery center, and highlights of the Black Voices of the Revolution tour.
January 20
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Menu
Marcus Live! Bar & Grille, American Dream, East Rutherford
The restaurant menu will honor the legacy of Dr. King with a special dish of King’s Jambalaya with BBQ fried chicken, Jollof rice, fish curry, collards, cornbread and peanut chimichurri. The dish’s elements are inspired by the many places MLK went, leaving behind his message of peace and equal rights.
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
Stockton University locations in Galloway, Woodbine, Atlantic City and Hammonton
Over 900 students, community members and community partners take part in roughly 25 projects both on- and off-campus.
Community Day: Martin Luther King Jr.: Stronger Together
Newark Museum of Art, Newark
The theme Stronger Together reflects a shared commitment to working hand-in-hand across communities through service, where love triumphs over hate, peace over conflict, and unity over division. A timeline of performances will be announced.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: Beach Cleanup
Sandy Hook beach, Middletown
Support the National Park Service during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service by cleaning up the beachfront.
2025 MLK Jr. Community Celebration
Triumphant Life Church Assembly of God, Oceanport
Since 1987, the Central Jersey Club has held an annual celebration open to the public that will celebrate the essay contest winners and recognize two community members from Monmouth and Ocean counties who follow the lead of Dr. King.
Beach Cleanup
Beach Plaza B, Sandy Hook
Protect the marine ecosystems, wildlife and overall environment by cleaning up the shoreline.
MLK Day Community Gathering + Art Making
Arts Council of Princeton, Princeton
A free art-making workshop will be accompanied by a food drive and community gathering. Artist Tamara Torres will talk about how to use art to express emotions; after drawing you will year your paper and use the pieces to create a new collage that represents a different perspective. The Historical Society of Princeton and the Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society will hold activities. Kids will get a coloring book to color, read through short stories, and learn more about how Princeton came to be the place it is today.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Day of Service
Hub Teen Center, New Brunswick
There will be community conversations, networking opportunities, bagged lunches, hygiene kits and music.
Martin Luther King Celebration
Town Hall, Manalapan
The Rev. Julian La Rosa Cooper and Saint James A.M.E. Church will host guest speaker the Rev. Josiah Haggins from Mt. Pisgah AME Church. There will be light refreshments served after the ceremony.
Martin Luther King Ceremony
United Methodist Church, Ridgewood
The featured speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Micah McCreary, president of the New Brunswick Theological Seminary.
January 25
MLK Jr. Day(s) of Service
Hopewell Branch of Mercer County Library System, Pennington
Drop in and use materials provided to create handmade cards to be sent to homebound participants of the Mercer County Meals on Wheels program.
Through February 1
Acts of Kindness
All 9 branches of the Mercer County Library System
Individuals, families and groups can write letters and heartfelt cards for homebound Mercer County Meals on Wheels patrons in honor of the MLK Day of Service. All materials will be provided.
February 1
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship Breakfast Vendors
Hyatt Regency Princeton, Princeton
The Ivy League Educational Foundation charitable arm of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Epsilon Upsilon Omega Chapter’s 44th annual breakfast is open to the public.
Through March 1
Manifesting Beloved Community
West Windsor Arts, Princeton Junction
For the fourth consecutive year, West Windsor Arts, in partnership with Art Against Racism, is presenting artwork inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s global vision of a nonviolent, love-centered world without poverty, hunger and social injustice.
These events took place earlier in the month:
January 11
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Education/Scholarship Luncheon
Pines Manor, Edison
Oziel Grand Chapter OES and its charity foundation will introduce Yusef Salaam, a member of the New York City Council representing Harlem, who is one of the Exonerated of the Central Park Five.
January 13
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony
Faith Baptist Church, Hamilton Twp.
Reflect on Dr. King’s timeless message of hope, equality and justice in a tribute to his vision and commitment to change. Presented by Hamilton Township, Faith Baptist Church and CYO Bromley. Individuals in the community who embody his vision and values will be honored.
January 13 – 17
Drop in Craft-MLK Jr Card Decorating
Hollowbrook Branch of the Mercer County Library System, Ewing
Anyone can come in and create a handmade card or letter. These cards will be delivered to Meals on Wheels recipients.
Morning Book Club: First Ladies by Marie Benedict
Lawrence Headquarters Branch of Mercer County Library System, Lawrenceville
Mary McLeod Bethune, the daughter of formerly enslaved parents, refuses to back down as white supremacists attempt to thwart her work as an activist and educator. United by their belief in women’s rights and education, she and Eleanor Roosevelt became friends, sharing secrets, hopes and dreams.
January 15
MLK Day Church Service
A Better Life Ministry, Jersey City
Special guests include the Rev. Al Sharpton, the Rev. Raul Ruiz, the Rev. Steffie Bartley, Sr., Bishop Jevah L. Richardson, former Governor Jim McGreevey, and the Rev. Daryl M. Griffin, Sr.
January 17
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ceremony
North Brunswick Senior Center, North Brunswick
Honor the life and legacy of Dr. King through spoken word and song.
January 18
Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Lecture
Newark Public Library, Newark
Kevin Powell will talk about if Dr. King and Malcolm X were still alive today, and the impact they’d continue to have.
MLK March of Resistance
Martin Luther King Statue, Newark
Brothers Building a Better Nation (BBABN) joins the People’s Organization for Progress (POP) and more than 100 other organizations for a march from the MLK statue to Newark City Hall and back to the statue.
SEED 15th Commemorative MLK Breakfast
Hyatt Regency Princeton, Princeton
The breakfast celebrates the legacy of MLK with good, drum majors and inspiring presentations.
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