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 20, 2025.
These Chicago Museums are free on January 20, 2025:
Art Institute of Chicago: Check out the discussion and gallery exploration, “Letter From Birmingham Jail.”
Shedd Aquarium: Visit the Caribbean Reef.
Mindworks: The Science of Thinking Explore the “Design Your Best Life” exhibit
Adler Planetarium: Check out ‘Chicago’s Night Sky.
Chicago Sinfonietta ‘s Annual MLK Tribute Concert
Auditorium Theater, 50 E. Ida B Wells Dr.
6:30 pm
“Black Being” is the title of the immersive performance that gives visibility to the complexities of Black Womanhood and socially conscious changemakers. The concert is dedicated to the trailblazing composers, Flutronix, whose genre-bending mix of classical, hip hop and soulful vocals inspired the performance. Tickets are $27-$67.
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, get a customized poem and watch the Writers Theatre production of The MLK Project: The Fight for Civil Rights” 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 “Troubled Waters: Chicago 1919 Race Riot.”
Hyde Park Art Center
5020 S. Cornell Ave.
MLK Day: Echoes of Freedom
11-4 pm
A day-long celebration of MLK’s legacy with live music, stimulating film, discussions and engaging art activities, along with activations and cultural narratives are the highlight of this event. Art workshops include screen printing, Adinkra Textile design and zine publishing. Register for this free event here.
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.
