Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events In and Around Oakland County
(Oakland County Blog)
Oakland County, MI – As we reflect of the life of Dr. King, we cannot do so without considering his legacy of service to mankind. Observed as a national day of service, Martin Luther King Jr. Day encourages people to volunteer to improve their communities. Honor Martin Luther King, Jr. this upcoming MLK Day on Monday, January 16, by attending an event or participating in a day of service.
Learn more about the MLK Day of Service on their website, where you can also search for volunteer opportunities or register a project. The United Way and Volunteer Match have additional resources and opportunities to make it a “day on, not a day off.”
This year also marks the inaugural Oakland County Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Organized by the Oakland County Equity Council, various service projects were made available to Oakland County employees at several locations throughout the county.
“It is our hope that our staff throughout the county, in whatever ways they are able to do so, will assist us in demonstrating Oakland County’s commitment to the mission of Justice and Equality that Dr. King fought for so vehemently.”
Oakland County Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Harry Weaver III
While Oakland County, Michigan Government offices are closed on Monday, January 16, Oakland County Parks and Recreation is offering a Free Park Entry Day in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. for the public to enjoy free daily park entry with access to natural areas, trails, dog parks, playgrounds, fishing spots and park amenities.
Browse the list of observations and commemorative events happening in and around Oakland County below:
In-Person Events around Oakland County
OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS
January 16: Oakland County Parks and Recreation Free Park Entry Day in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Oakland County Parks and Recreation visitors can enjoy free park entry day on January 16, with access to natural areas, trails, dog parks, playgrounds, fishing spots and park amenities at: Addison Oaks County Park, Highland Oaks County Park, Independence Oaks County Park, Lyon Oaks County Park and Lyon Oaks Dog Park, Orion Oaks County Park, Orion Oaks Dog Park, Red Oaks Dog Park and Rose Oaks County Park. Catalpa Oaks County Park in Southfield, Red Oaks Nature Center in Madison Heights, and Waterford Oaks County park are always open to the public free of charge.
AUBURN HILLS
January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at the Community Center. Donations of fleece material as well as new and gently used coats of all sizes are requested.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
January 16: Free admission on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at the Cranbrook Institute of Science from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FARMINGTON/FARMINGTON HILLS
January 16: Stop in the children’s departments at the Farmington Community Library at 10 a.m. to make a sign for the march that begins at 11 a.m.
January 16: Celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. with a full day of events, starting with a march down 12 Mile Rd. at 11 a.m.
January 16: Join an interactive presentation to learn about Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy presented by Detroit Association of Black Storytellers member, Anthony Lucas at 2 p.m.
January 16: North Farmington and Farmington High School contemporary performance at 3 p.m in honor of MLK Day.
January 16: MLK Family Day at Painting with a Twist at 1 p.m. & 7 p.m.
FERNDALE
January 16: MLK Family Day at Painting with a Twist from at 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.
MILFORD
January 15: March on Main MLK Event at Prospect Hill Shopping Center at 12:15 p.m.
January 15: MLK Soup Meal Drive at Oak Pointe Church from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
NOVI
January 16: Novi Public Library MLK Day Unity Celebration Breakfast from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
PONTIAC
January 16: Martin Luther King Jr, 31st Annual Celebration Luncheon at 12 p.m., at the Marriott Centerpoint Pontiac with keynote speaker Michigan Rep. Joseph Tate, House Speaker.
ROCHESTER/ROCHESTER HILLS
January 16: 31st annual Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards Celebration with humanitarian and award-winning actor, Hill Harper, as the keynote speaker at Oakland University from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
January 16: MLK Tribute Class at CycleBar Rochester Hills at 9:30 a.m.
ROYAL OAK & BERKLEY
January 16: “A Day On, Not A Day Off” – Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony and Freedom Walk starting at 9:30 a.m.
January 16: MLK Service Project beginning at 10:15 a.m.
SOUTHFIELD
January 13: MLK Task Force Food Drive at Southfield Municipal Campus beginning at 9 a.m. Food boxes will be available for the first 250 families.
January 16: 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Community Celebration at Hope United Methodist Church beginning at 9 a.m. with a Peace Walk followed by a ceremony and taste fest.
WEST BLOOMFIELD
January 15: United We Walk 29th Annual Event at West Bloomfield Middle School at 1 p.m.
In-Person Events in Detroit
January 16: MLK Jr. Day: 60th Anniversary of the Detroit Freedom March at the Detroit Historical Museum from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
January 16: Free Admission to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
January 16: MLK Day Celebration at the Charles H. Wright Museum beginning at 8 a.m.
January 16: King: A Filmed Record…From Montgomery to Memphis at DIA at 1 p.m.
January 16: MLK Memorial Ride 2023 beginning at McGregor Memorial Conference Center on Wayne State University’s campus at 1 p.m.
January 16: “Let Freedom Ring,” a free event hosted by Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Fox Theatre at 4 p.m.
Virtual Events
January 13: “The Global Impact of Social Justice” presented by Oakland Community College at 11 a.m. with keynote speaker, Carl E. James.
Do you know of any other Martin Luther King Jr. observations in or around the Oakland County area? Let us know about them by contacting us at socialmedia@oakgov.com or leaving a comment below.
Visit the Oakland County website, and follow along us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more news and events year round. Join the conversation using #OaklandCounty.
For more things to do, visit the Oakland County Times Event Page!
To submit event info email editor@oc115.com .
Thank you to Jim Shaffer & Associates Realtors for sponsoring this section!
