City of Evanston

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration

Saturday, January 13  |  Noon  |  Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center

Enjoy community performances by Matthew Hunter *MC, Evanston Children’s Choir, Faith Temple Combined Choir, Family Singing Group MC4, 1619: The Journey of a People, and Gracie Puricelli. The keynote speaker for this celebration will be Pastor Carlis L. Moody, Jr. of Faith Temple Evanston. 

Evanston Public Library

MLK Day of Service - Morning Session - 5th Grade and up

Monday, January 15  |  10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  |  Evanston Public Library

Join us in the Community Meeting Room at the Main Branch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help create reusable sanitary pads for the Girls 4 Girls Ghana organization. More than 20 percent of girls in Ghana miss school due to a lack of supplies for menstrual cycles. All materials will be provided, including scissors and sewing equipment. There are plenty of tasks for everyone, but we strongly encourage sewers to attend! Feel free to bring your own sewing machine. This event is open to students in grades 5th-12th and adults.

MLK Day of Service - Afternoon Session - 5th Grade and up

Monday, January 15  |  2 p.m. to 5 p.m.  |  Evanston Public Library

Join us in the Community Meeting Room at the Main Branch from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. to help create reusable sanitary pads for the Girls 4 Girls Ghana organization. More than 20 percent of girls in Ghana miss school due to a lack of supplies for menstrual cycles. All materials will be provided, including scissors and sewing equipment. There are plenty of tasks for everyone, but we strongly encourage sewers to attend! Feel free to bring your own sewing machine. This event is open to students in grades 5th-12th and adults.

MLK Day of Service - Morning Session - Kids Edition, Grades 1-4

Monday, January 15  |  10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  |  Evanston Public Library

Join us in the Children's Art Garden at the Main Branch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help create chew toys for our local animal shelter, as well as cards and bookmarks for local seniors. We will also be showing a film for MLK Day, highlighting his most famous speech. If you can't make it, no worries – we welcome people to stop by and show their care with donations of underwear and sanitary napkins. Donations are welcome from now until MLK Day.

MLK Day of Service - Afternoon Session - Kids Edition, Grades 1-4

Monday, January 15  |  2 p.m. to 5 p.m.  |  Evanston Public Library

Join us in the Children's Art Garden at the Main Branch from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. to help create chew toys for our local animal shelter, as well as cards and bookmarks for local seniors. We will also be showing a film for MLK Day, highlighting his most famous speech. If you can't make it, no worries; we welcome people to stop by and show their care with donations of underwear and sanitary napkins. Donations are welcome from now until MLK Day.

Northwestern University

2024 MLK Commemoration

The Northwestern University community has celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. King since 1987 with an expanded special commemoration, including stage events, discussions, lectures, films, music, theater and service projects throughout the week to inspire reflection on Dr. King’s life and legacy, including the continuation of the Alpha Phi Alpha Candlelight Vigil. In January 2013, Northwestern designated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day as an official University. Visit NU's webpage for 2024 events.

Interfaith Action

Walk for Warmth

Monday, January 15  |  11 a.m.  |  First United Methodist Church, 516 Church St. 

This family friendly event has become an Evanston tradition and will kick off at 11 a.m. from First United Methodist Church.
The two-mile Walk for Warmth brings volunteers together to walk a circuit of downtown Evanston churches, each of which serves as a host to the IAE Overnight Shelter. Walkers raise money through donations and sponsorships in what is an ideal project for the MLK Day of Service, honoring Dr. King’s legacy and fight for economic justice. Participation in the Walk for Warmth is open to anyone. Many of the more than 40 faith communities which comprise IAE will be assembling teams of walkers, including people of all ages. More information. 

Nichols Concert Hall

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Sunday, January 14  |  3 p.m.  |  Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave.

This annual tribute to the historic American leader features performances by Music Institute students and community partners. Sunday's concert includes award-winning MIC alumna violinist Hannah White; a newly commissioned work from Nyandeng Juag through the Hearing in Color Young Composer Residency; young performers from Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative and Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play program; and  performances from Music Institute of Chicago Academy violist Neena Agrawal and the Music Institute of Chicago Chorale conducted by Daniel Wallenberg. Plus: remarks from featured guest speaker Dr. Marcus Campbell, superintendent of Evanston Township High School District.