Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Columbus

Looking for something to do to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 15, 2024? See our list of things to do on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Columbus. 

The first section contains specific events in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the following section contains links for activities in Columbus for you to enjoy if you have the day off from school and work.

2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Day events

MLK Jr. Day Celebration at Ohio History Center

Monday, January 15, 2024 • 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ohio History Center, Columbus

Join us for a day of celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and take part in activities and programs that focus on serving and engaging with the community!

Details about the event will be announced soon.

Seeds of Caring MLK Day of Service

January 15, 2024 at 12 pm, 1 pm, and 2 pm

Celebrate MLK Day as a “day on, not a day off” through 5 different service stations as part of the larger MLK Day Open House Celebration. Program is for ages 2-12; adults must accompany children. Siblings of participants outside this age range are welcome, but may find the event to be less meaningful and fulfilling.

Seeds of Caring will provide 5 youth service stations as part of the larger MLK Open House Celebration. Activities will include making posters with Pint Size Protesters, assembling personal care kits for neighbors in need, decorating and packing snack bags for unhoused neighbors, designing bookmarks promoting diversity in literature with Harper’s Corner, and creating take-home art. Learn more and register here.

Day of Service runs in conjunction with The MLK Open House Celebration, which is from 12-4pm with free admission. In addition to the service activities, you will find art activities, education, and live theatrical and musical performances honoring the life and work of Dr. King

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Breakfast

January 15, 2024 from 7 a.m. – 10 a.m.
“Honoring the Man, Sustaining His Legacy, Preserving His Dream”

The City of Columbus takes great pride in its observance of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Martin Luther King Breakfast Committee, Inc. invites the public to the Columbus signature King Holiday event attended by thousands of diverse multicultural at Columbus Convention Center. The largest event of its kind in the United States honoring Dr. King.

Tickets are $50 and are limited. See more details and purchase tickets here.

Delaware and OWU MLK Celebration

January 15, 2024 from noon – 1 pm
In celebration of the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Delaware County MLK Day Committee and Ohio Wesleyan University are hosting the 31st annual community celebration. It features keynote speaker Dr. Hasan Jeffries, an Associate Professor of History at The Ohio State University and author of Bloody Lowndes: Civil Rights and Black Power in Alabama’s Black Belt, accompanied by our Emcee, Tracy Townsend, a journalist who is a News Anchor on “Wake Up CBUS,” the morning newscast at WBNS-10TV. She also reports as a Medical Correspondent.

Individual tickets are $25, and sponsorship for the event is $240 for a table of eight. We encourage you, as a Delaware County business, church, organization, or individual, to sponsor the program. Your sponsorship helps us to fund the Delaware County Martin Luther King Scholarship Program. The doors will open at 11 a.m., with the lunch beginning soon after. The program will begin promptly at noon and adjourn at 1 p.m.

Purchase tickets online by January 8, 2024

Ohio Wesleyan’s Hamilton-Williams Campus Center
40 Rowland Ave.
Delaware, Ohio

MLK Day of Learning at Capital University

January 15, 2024 from 10 am – 3:30 pm
All are welcome to participate in the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Learning at Capital University. The theme of this event is “Courage in Community.” 

Join fellow students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Registered attendees are encouraged to attend the keynote, engage with fellow learners in workshops, and participate in service activities.

Additionally, Kids Korner will offer activities catering to children of various ages!

See full list of activities and register online. 

Westerville MLK Jr Celebration

January 15, 2024 at 8 am. Leadership Westerville Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Project hosts the Annual Westerville Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. The theme for the 2024 program is: 

DR. KING’S LEGACY TODAY: A DISCUSSION WITH NYT BESTSELLING AUTHOR, NIC STONE

Tickets are available for $30-$35; register online.

Villa Milano Banquet & Conference Center, 1630 Schrock Road Columbus, OH 43229

Martin Luther King Day Celebration at Holy Rosary-St. John

January 15, 2024 at noon. Holy Rosary-St. John Church (660 South Ohio Avenue) celebrates the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Register online.

Columbus State Annual MLK Celebration

January 22-26, 2024
Columbus State Community College celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration.

The keynote address will be given by Hasan Kwame Jeffries, Alumni Associate Professor at The Ohio State University.

See the full list of activities for the week on the website. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Reynoldsburg Memorial Breakfast

tba 2024, 8:30 – 11:00

In celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. King the City of Reynoldsburg is pleased to announce the first annual memorial breakfast at Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church. Doors open and breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m. for the ticketed event. Event is free; registration is required.

Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church 1636 Graham Road Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

Schools out! Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 15

MLK Skate at Skate Zone 71

Special event skating parties Friday – Monday! All Children Between the Ages of 3-17 Are Required to Pay Admission and Skate Rental Upon Entering. Adults 18+ not skating, may enter for free. See details on website.

United Skates of America 

Special skating sessions are available through the long weekend of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. See options on website.

Grab your sled: Sledding hills in Columbus

Will we have snow? No one knows, but if we do, a day off is a great chance to hit the hills at these sledding hills in Columbus.

Grab your sled: Best Sledding hills in Columbus

Indoor and Outdoor Ice Skating in Columbus

Whether you want to brave the outdoors, or skate in a temperature controlled rink, you’ll have a blast on the ice! See options for indoor and outdoor ice skating!

Indoor and Outdoor Ice Skating in Columbus

Snow Trails Skiing and Snowboarding Central Ohio

Snow Trails just a short drive from Columbus and you’ll burn calories on those hills, whether you ski, board, or tube.  Offering extended hours over Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend. See details here.

Snow Trails Skiing and Snowboarding events and Season information

Over 85 Indoor Play Places and Activities for Kids around Columbus

It’s going to be COLD! You don’t have to be trapped inside though – check out one of the 50+ indoor play areas. Many are free!  Please check links for holiday or weather closures.

So many Indoor Play Places and Activities for kids around Columbus

Teachers get in free to COSI

Certified educators get in free to COSI, every day!  Must have proof of certification. Details here.

Need more options? Here are some other fun things for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

Black History Month: February

Columbus Metropolitan Libraries are celebrating Black History Month with events and activities during the month of February, in addition to celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday in January.