Celebrate the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Triangle. Here’s where.

Kristen Johnson
·6 min read
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Each third Monday of January, the county commemorates the life and legacy of civil rights leader and Baptist minister Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This year, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, or MLK Day, falls on his actual birthday, Jan. 15.

The federal holiday is celebrated in Wake County and across the Triangle with several events and volunteer opportunities. Town offices will be closed on Monday in honor of the day.

Here is a list of events happening in your area this weekend. Know of an event we should mention? Let us know at metroeds@newsobserver.com.

Friday, Jan. 12

Apex: Black Authors Exhibit at the Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N. Salem Street, 6:30 p.m.

  • This event is part of the town’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Weekend from Jan. 12 to 15

  • More information at apexnc.org.

Cary: Comedy Show with Azeem at The Cary Theater, 122 E. Chatham Street, 7:30 p.m.

  • This event is part of the town’s Dreamfest celebration from Jan. 12 to 15

  • Tickets at carync.com/dreamfest.

Cary: MLK Film Festival at The Cary Theater, 122 E. Chatham Street

  • The film festival runs from Jan. 12 to 15

  • Tickets and information can be found at thecarytheater.com.

Saturday, Jan. 13

Apex: MLK Unity March, Prayer Rally and Youth Summit, beginning at 8 a.m.

  • Gathering for march begins at 8 a.m. at Apex First Baptist Church, 419 S. Salem Street

  • March ends at Apex Town Hall, 73 Hunter Street with outdoor program at 9:30 a.m.

  • Youth Summit beings at Apex Senior Center with a local student panel at Apex Police Chief Jason Armstrong at 10:15 a.m.

Carrboro: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro Street, 1 to 3 p.m.

Durham: Celebrating the Legacy Through the Arts, W.D. Hill Recreation Center, 1308 Fayetteville Street, 2 to 5 p.m.

  • Hosted by Durham Parks and Recreation with a series of activities including poetry, art displays, performances and arts and crafts projects

  • More information at dprplaymore.org

Holly Springs: Memorial Breakfast, St. Mary’s Free Will Baptist Church, 9305 Holly Springs Road, Apex, 9 a.m.

  • Event features keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Hannah Broome, Director of Religious Affairs for Repaiers of the Breach & a special video message from Dr. WIlliam Barber II

  • Learn more at hsmlk.org

Raleigh: National Day of Racial Healing, First Baptist Church, 99 N. Salisbury Street, 9 a.m. to noon

  • Sponsored by the YMCA of the Triangle

  • Breakfast begins at 8 a.m.

  • The event features speakers, presentations and small group discussions

  • More information at ymcatriangle.org/mlk-weekend

Raleigh: “MLK/FBI” movie showing at NC Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

  • Free with registration at ncartmuseum.org/events

  • “MLK/FBI” is a 2020 film by Sam Pollard about the extent of the FBI’s surveillance and harassment of Dr. King.

Sunday, Jan, 14

Apex: Social Justice Sunday, Apex First Baptist Church, 419 S. Salem Street, 11 a.m.

Cary: MLK Dreamfest Interfaith Service, Christ the King Lutheran Church, 600 Walnut Street, 3:30 p.m.

  • All faiths are welcome to celebrate with guest preacher Rev. Laura Ingersoll from Baltimore, MD and music by the Interfaith Choir

  • More at churchthekingcary.org

Cary: It Takes a Village: Community Meal & Discussion, Cary First United Methodist Church, 117 S. Academy Street, 5:30 p.m.

  • Dinner will be served along with community fellowship, interactive games and more.

  • Registration and information at firstcary.com/dreamfest

Durham: The Duke Centennial Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration, Duke Chapel, 401 Chapel Drive, 4 p.m.

  • The keynote speaker is Duke trustee, former NBA player and alumnus Grant Hill

  • The theme is: Our Path to Progress: Realizing King’s Dream of True Freedom

  • Learn more at mlk.duke.edu

Holly Springs: Memorial Walk, & community Celebration, Holly Springs Culytural Arts Center, 300 W. Ballentine Street, 2:30 p.m.

  • Gathering for a walk at Oak Hall Shopping Center at 2:30 p.m., N. Main Street

  • The celebration features Willie J. Hunter of St. Mary’s Free Will Baptist Church

  • More at hsmlk.org

Monday, Jan. 15

Apex: National Day of Service, Apex Baptist Church, 9 a.m.

  • Pack bagged lunches from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • Learn more at apexnc.org

Cary: MLK 5K Walk for Hope, Mr. Zion Church, 316 Allen Lewis Drive, 10 a.m.

  • Donation items are requested: adult jackets and coats, men’s clothing, men’s and women’s undergarments and socks, toiletries, hair products, feminine products, household cleaners, laundry products

  • More info at mtzioncary.org/walk2024

Cary: MLK Day of Service at Good Hope Farm, 1580 Morrisville Carpenter Road, 10 a.m.

Chapel Hill: Day of Service and Hoops for Hunger, Woollen Gym, 300 South Road, 1 p.m.

Durham: Triangle Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, Sheraton Imperial Hotel, 4700 Emperor Boulevard, 6 a.m.

  • Event is from 7:15 to 9 a.m.

  • Keynote speaker is Rev. Canon Sandye A. Wilson

  • More at trianglemlk.com

Durham: Dream Big Book Drive, Golden Belt Campus, 800 Taylor Street, 1 p.m.

Fuquay-Varina: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. March and Celebration, Falcon Park, 105 Falcon Drive, 9:30 a.m.

  • March begins at Falcon Park and ends at First Baptist Church, 105 N. West Street

  • Breakfast at 9:45 a.m. with a program and keynote speakers

  • More at casf-v.org/upcoming-events

Henderson: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church, 511 Orange Street, 8 a.m.

Holly Springs: Day of Service Clean Up, Bass Lake Park, 900 Bass Lake Road, 9 a.m.

  • Volunteers will be mulching and cleaning the trail at the park

  • Registration and information at hollyspringsnc.gov

Raleigh: Martin Luther King Memorial March, Downtown Raleigh, 11 a.m.

  • Gathering at State Capitol Building at 10 a.m.

  • All civic organizations, leaders and families are invited to join

  • More at trianglemlk.com

Raleigh: Martin Luther King Noon Observation, Martin Marietta Center, 12 p.m.

  • Keynote speaker Rev. Sharon Dean of Wake Chapel, Raleigh with music from the Martin Luther King All Children’s Choir

  • More at trianglemlk.com

Raleigh: Martin Luther King Evening Musical Celebration, Martin Marietta Center, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 18

Wake Forest: MLK Celebration, Friendship Baptist Church, 237 Friendship Chapel Road, 6:30 p.m.

  • Local churches and community organizations are coming together for the celebration

  • The event features contests for students and fundraising opportunities

  • More at wakeforestnc.gov