Monday, January 20, is Martin Luther King Jr Day across the United States
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Monday, January 20, 2025, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day set aside to honor and remember the life and legacy of the civil rights activist. There are events planned for the days leading up to MLK Day that are free and open to the public. If you cannot attend the events, you may wish to get involved in the Here is a sample of Columbia-area events:
House Music MLK Weekend 2025, 5 p.m.-midnight, Friday through Sunday, January 17-19, VFW Post 641, 534 S. Beltline Blvd. Three days of music and dancing presented by House Music South Carolina/CHMPSC.com. Limited seating. Maracas, cow bells and baby powder welcomed. Naeem Johnson and DJs Brian Pope, Kelly Kel, Paul Howard and Katt in the Hat.
FAAAC Presents: The Movement, 7-10 p.m. Saturday, January 18, Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St. An evening of spoken word, neo-soul, and R&B with performances by She Pharaoh, Crystal Doomes, and Jennifer Bartell Boykin, presented by Friends of African American Arts and Culture (FAAAC). Light snacks, cash bar available. Tickets $55 for public, $35 for FAAAC members
MLK Celebration 5K Fitness Walk/Run, 9 a.m., Saturday, January 18, MLK Park, 2300 Greene St. Sign up at Strictly Running (2515 Devine St.) to participate in the family-friendly walk/run through the Five Points/Shandon neighborhood.
MLK Day of Service 2025: PB&J Sandwich-making competition, 9 a.m. sign-in, Davis Field next to the Russell House, 1400 Greene St. on the USC campus. Competition is 9:30 a.m.-noon (or until supplies run out). Bring donations of peanut butter, jelly, and sliced bread and either compete to see how many sandwiches you can made during the allotted time or just watch and enjoy the action. All sandwiches will be distributed to local hunger-relief organizations, including the 153 Project, Transitions Homeless Center, and the Washington Street Soup Kitchen.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the CMA, noon, Monday, January 20, Columbia Museum of Art. The museum will be offering free admission and special MLK Day programming, including FAAAC Presents: A Storytelling Celebration with line dancing at Boyd Plaza at noon-3 p.m., and storytelling at 1-2:30 p.m.
King Day at the Dome, 8 a.m. prayer service at Zion Baptist Church, 801 Washington St.; 10 a.m. rally at SC State House on Gervais and Main. The South Carolina NAACP hosts this annual event in honor of the organization’s longstanding advocacy for civil rights. This year’s keynote speaker is Democratic National Committee Chair Jamie Harrison
MLK Day: Where do we go from here? 10 a.m., Chappell Memorial African American Methodist Episcopal Church, 1101 Pine St. This year’s featured speaker is Reverend and South Carolina Senator Darrell Jackson.