8 MLK Day of Service events to attend in Arizona

Jan. 19 marks the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Help further the dream by attending one of these 8 MLK events in Arizona.

After a 15-year campaign led by civil rights activists, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was officially signed into law as a day of service by Ronald Reagan in 1983; it was also the first day signed into law that celebrates an African American. Because the federal holiday was officially observed for the first time on Jan. 20, 1986, this year’s day of service will commemorate the 40th year of honoring the late, great Martin Luther King Jr.

Considered to be a day of service rather than a holiday, the motto of the day is a “day on, not a day off.” Citizens are encouraged to spend the day continuing King’s dream of a more just society through action, whether that’s volunteering, reflecting on social and racial equality, or promoting social justice through acts of kindness and community improvement. Independently, you may volunteer locally, explore the different murals that celebrate racial equality in Phoenix, or research historical or modern movements. There are also eight large MLK Day events happening throughout Arizona that you may consider attending. If none of these celebrations are near you, look into your local community college or Chamber of Commerce for alternatives.

Phoenix and the Valley 

Arizona MLK Celebration

The city of Phoenix celebrates the federally recognized day of service with a series of events over MLK weekend under the umbrella name of the Arizona MLK Celebration. Each event honors a different aspect of the MLK vision and encourages the community—far and wide—to gather together.

On Friday, Jan. 16, the 40th Annual Living The Dream Awards Breakfast takes place at 7:30 a.m. at the Phoenix Convention Center. Awards recognize individuals who are actively fighting to make MLK’s dreams a reality. On Sunday, Jan. 18, Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church hosts a candlelight service from 6 to 8 p.m. The Commemorative March at East Lake Park kicks off Monday’s events at 9 a.m., followed by the festival at Margaret T. Hance Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

MLK Freedom Run 

Equality, social justice, resilience, and love are the foundational basics for MLK’s dream to work. Join together with a group of fellow runners to “reflect on his powerful message of love and resilience” at Papago Park for the MLK Freedom Run 5K/10K/13.1 on Jan. 17. Participants must first register and pay the $30-60 fee to join and receive an official t-shirt.

Hands On Phoenix

Make it a day on, not a day off with Hands On of Greater Phoenix. By recommending volunteer opportunities throughout MLK Weekend and providing a list of ASU resources about MLK as well as a list of children’s books about diversity, equity, and inclusion, Hands On strives to make it easy to get involved in the day of service. Check out the website for more information on how to volunteer, donate, or educate.

MLK Parade and Festival Mesa

Explore the power of unity, inclusion, and community growth through Mesa’s Mission Possible: Building Bridges…Building Community. This MLK Day parade and festival this year highlights the need to nurture connections within communities so each voice is heard. The organizers believe that “by working together, we can create a more inclusive and thriving community, where everyone has the opportunity to flourish.” The parade marches down Center St. beginning at 11 a.m., and the festival takes place at Plaza at Mesa City Center, 56 E. Main St., until 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19.

Tucson & Southern Arizona

MLK March and Celebration

Join on Monday, Jan. 19, at Reid Park in Tucson at 10 a.m. for the annual MLK March and Celebration. The event begins with a commemorative march at 10 a.m. and is immediately followed by a festival full of live music and performances, food and retail vendors, and informational booths. This family-friendly event is meant to bring the community together to honor the past while inspiring the future, with some booths offering ways to help improve the community at large.

United Way MLK Day of Service 2026

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona recognizes the MLK Day of Service by making a difference in the community. United Way connects volunteers with agencies, schools, and other organizations involved in projects that better the community in some way, shape, or form. The mission is clear: “Whether you have a few hours or a full day to give, your contribution makes a significant impact.” By creating a seamless way to volunteer, United Way curates a meaningful day on.

Northern Arizona

2026 MLK Day Celebration NAU

Join the MLK day celebration at the Northern Arizona University campus at the du Bois Center (64) at 9:30 a.m. The event begins with a breakfast, followed by a poster-making session, and proceeds with a commemorative march to the Office of Inclusion, where many community projects will take place. Organized and sponsored by several on-campus activist groups, this is an excellent way to join the community, learn about inclusivity, and participate in service. RSVP online to reserve your spot in this socially inclusive event.

Prescott Martin Luther King Peace and Justice March and Celebration

A march, a Native American smudging ceremony, keynote speakers, music, and a kids program are all part of Prescott’s MLK Peace and Justice March and Celebration. This year’s celebration will be held on Monday, Jan. 19 at 9:45 a.m., beginning at the Courthouse Plaza and ending at Prescott United Methodist Church, 505 W. Gurley St. With the theme of Good Trouble Every Day, this event will explore how this Civil Rights concept relates to the modern day and how it can be used to further the agenda of equality and nonviolence.

Closing thoughts

I used to teach eighth-grade social studies at a local charter school, and trying to get teens interested in history can prove difficult. To make the past come alive, I gathered news articles, photos, and videos, and played them over a two-week immersive experience. Naturally, the students mostly paid attention, but they certainly all perked up when the “I Have a Dream” speech took the screen. MLK’s oration and presence are timeless, as is his message. Here are some facts about the speech:

• It took place on Aug. 28, 1963, on the Steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
• A quarter million people gathered to watch.
• The speech was 17 minutes long and partially improvised.
• The memorable flow of the speech is thanks to a rhetorical device called anaphora.
• When King received the Nobel Peace Prize, he donated the money to further the Civil Rights Movement’s work.

Whatever you choose to do on MLK Day, may Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s words reverberate through your actions and intentions with each breath. “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.”