Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2023 in metro Phoenix: Festivals, marches and a parade

Cities across metro Phoenix will honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2023 this January with a parade, marches, educational activities and festivals.

Annual events such as the East Valley Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Festival in Mesa, the MLK March on West in Glendale and the Arizona MLK Celebration March and Festival in downtown Phoenix are among the celebrations of King's life and legacy taking place in the Valley this year.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on Jan. 15, 1929. In 2023, the holiday commemorating the civil rights leader will take place Monday, Jan. 16.

Arizona has only formally recognized MLK Day for the past three decades, since voters passed an amendment in November 1992 instating a Martin Luther King Civil Rights Day paid holiday on the third Monday of January. According to the Pima County Public Library, Arizona was the last state in the union to formally install an MLK holiday.

Here's when and where Martin Luther King Jr. Day events are taking place across the Valley.

Black history in Phoenix: 10 landmarks and the stories behind them

Tempe: MLK Diversity Awards

Tempe's annual MLK Diversity Awards will feature Lois Brown, director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at Arizona State University, and a speech from Mayor Corey Woods. The event will honor businesses, organizations and people "who demonstrate a commitment to diversity (and) inclusion and who exemplify the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."

According to the city's website, the RSVP list was full as of Jan. 6. According to a city representative, a recording of the event will be posted afterward at http://www.tempe.gov/mlk.

Details: 7:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 9. Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes, 2000 W. Westcourt Way, Tempe. http://www.tempe.gov/mlk.

Scottsdale: Martin Luther King Jr. Community Dinner Celebration

The Scottsdale nonprofit Community Celebrating Diversity will recognize its 2023 diversity champion and host featured speaker Benjamin Chavis — whose activism during the civil rights movement was inspired by working as a youth coordinator and assistant to Martin Luther King Jr. — during the 29th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Dinner Celebration at Scottsdale Stadium.

Details: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12. The Fieldhouse at Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Road. Starting at $100 per person. https://www.ccdarizona.org/mlk-events.

Phoenix: Arizona MLK Celebration Awards

The Calvin C. Goode Lifetime Achievement Award and the Living the Dream Award will be presented at the 37th annual Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards and Scholarship Breakfast at the Phoenix Convention Center.

Details: 7 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13. Phoenix Convention Center North Building, 100 N. Third St. $100 per ticket, $750 per table. 602-513-8311, https://arizonamlk.wixsite.com/azmlkorg.

Surprise: MLK Day of Celebration and Service

Surprise is honoring Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and work with musical performances, service projects and a keynote address by a curator for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Eric Williams.

To participate in the service projects at the Valley Vista High School cafeteria, contact Larry Garcia at larry.garcia@surpriseaz.gov or 623-222-1522; advance registration is required. Projects are suitable for all ages.

Details: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14. The Vista Center for the Arts, 15660 N. Parkview Place, Surprise. Free. 623.222.1522, https://www.surpriseaz.gov.

Chandler: Multicultural Festival

Chandler's 28th annual Multicultural Festival will showcase food, music, dance and art from various cultures at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park on Saturday, Jan. 14. According to the city's website, the event's mission is to "honor our community's heritage and diversity, along with the spirit and ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement."

Dancers performing Kpop-style choreography, belly dance, hula and Bollywood-style dance as well as martial artists and a mariachi band are among the acts set to take to the stage throughout the afternoon. More than a dozen food trucks and booths will be available at the park.

Details: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14. Dr. A.J. Chandler Park stage, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler. Free. 480-782-2218, https://www.chandleraz.gov.

Phoenix: Arizona MLK Candlelight Concert

There will be choir performances, hymns and speeches from local leaders and members of the community during this candlelight concert at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in downtown Phoenix.

Details: 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 1401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. Free. https://arizonamlk.wixsite.com.

Phoenix: 2023 Arizona MLK Celebration March and Festival

A commemorative march from Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church will go through the streets of downtown Phoenix and culminate in a festival at Margaret T. Hance Park. The event begins at 9 a.m., and the festival will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Details: 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 1401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. Free. 602-258-0831, https://arizonamlk.wixsite.com/azmlkorg.

Mesa: East Valley Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Festival

For its 25th anniversary, the theme of this year's East Valley Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade is "What are you doing for others?" The procession will involve marching bands, dance troupes, local organizations, community leaders, elected officials and local schools.

The route will begin at Center Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way in downtown Mesa, head south, travel eastward on First Street and end at Hibbert.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Community Festival will host food, vendors and kids activities from noon to 4 p.m. at the Mesa City Center plaza, 56 E. Main St.

Details: 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Center Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Mesa. Free. https://www.mesaevmlk.org.

Glendale: MLK March on West

The 32nd annual MLK March on West as ASU's West Campus in Glendale invites "middle school students, members of the ASU community and the public to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and to understand the history-changing 1963 March on Washington," according to the event's website.

Details: 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Jan. 18. Arizona State University West Campus, 4701 W. Thunderbird Road, Glendale. Free. https://mlk.asu.edu/event/mlk-march-on-west.

Reach the reporter at kimi.robinson@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin and Instagram @ReporterKiMi.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: MLK Day 2023 events in Phoenix: 9 festivals, marches and a parade