Martin Luther King Jr. Day offers opportunities to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King by supporting racial justice causes, giving back to the community, and attending events that reflect his fight for equality and civil rights.
Chicago boasts a particular connection with the icon because it was here that he joined the Chicago Freedom Movement and worked to create fair and open housing for Black people. Consider these free events to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. Day on January 19, 2026.
These Chicago Museums are free on January 19, 2026:
Art Institute of Chicago: Check out the discussion and gallery exploration and the Ryan Learning Center’s exploration of Dr. King’s speech, “What’s Your Life’s Blueprint?”
Shedd Aquarium: Visit the Caribbean Reef.
Mindworks: The Science of Thinking. Explore the “Design Your Best Life” exhibit
Chicago History Museum: Visit “Designing for Change: Chicago Protest Art” and the family “Comemorative Martin Luther King Jr. Day.”
Chicago Sinfonietta’s Annual MLK Tribute Concert
Auditorium Theater, 50 E. Ida B Wells, Dr.
4:00 pm
“Open Heart” is the title of the performance that honors Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, the Black Chicago surgeon who performed the first open heart surgery at the first Black-owned hospital in the country. His success reflects that opening hearts is both a medical miracle and a social mission. The audience will also hear a cello elegy for Breonna Taylor. Tickets are $30-$60.
Chicago History Museum
Family Event — Martin Luther King Jr. Day
1601 N. Clark St., 312-642-4600
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Join in a freedom sing-along, learn about civic action, and explore hands-on activities that focus on civil rights awareness. This all-ages event is free with museum admission, which is free for Illinois residents for the day. Register for the museum’s online account to receive free tickets.
More info about the MLK Day Family event
DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
740 E. 56th Place, 773-947-0600
10:00 am- 4:00 pm
View “The Art of Our Storytellers,” an exhibition of art selections from the Johnson Publishing Company, the iconic publishers of “Ebony” and “Jet” magazines. Explore the exhibits “Freedom: Origin and Journey” and “Clearing the Path for Democracy: Citizen Soldiers of the Illinois Fighting 8th.”
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
5700 N. DuSable Lake Shore Dr.
Black Creativity Family Day
9:30 am-2:30 pm
The annual Black Creativity exhibit showcases African American innovation in art, science and technology. For family day, visitors can participate in an interactive art experience that mixes art with sound for an immersive community experience. Guests are invited to create art inspired by the music they hear and the piece will be gathered into one community art installation. Tickets are $25.95 for adults and $14.95 for children.
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