BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be observed Monday, Jan. 19, with a wide range of events across the Lehigh Valley honoring the life and legacy of the civil rights leader.
Since 1994, the holiday also has been recognized by Congress as a National Day of Service, encouraging people to turn remembrance into action.
The Volunteer Center of Lehigh Valley on its websitehighlights service opportunities as diverse as beautification at local parks and helping sort food at pantries.
In addition, communities throughout the region will hold museum programs, church services and thought-provoking talks focused on unity, justice and service organized by the city.
Allentown Art Museum
Allentown Art Museum once again will open its doors for a full day of free, family-friendly activities honoring the life and legacy of the civil rights leader on Monday, Jan. 19.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., families can create art in the Crayola Classroom, enjoy hourly live music in the Trexler Gallery beginning at noon, and take part in all-ages storytelling sessions at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
The day also will feature a performance by the Joyful Voices Community Choir at 11:30 a.m. in the Museum Lounge, a luncheon catered by Taste Smokers from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the Community Gallery and a closing performance at 3 p.m.
The museum will close at 5 p.m., and free parking will be available in the museum lot at Fifth and Linden streets.
More information: Visit the museum's MLK Day event page.
Synod Church donation drive and service
The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of prayer and service will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at the Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2354 Grove Road, Allentown.
Sponsored by the Synod Racial Justice Team, the Synod LGBTQ Task Force and the Metropolitan Community Church of the Lehigh Valley, the gathering will invite the community to honor King’s legacy through worship, service and fellowship.
The event will begin at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary with a worship service held by MCC and led by the church Minister for Music and Worship Brian Jones.
Participants will conclude the morning with lunch.
During the event, the church will collect household items to be donated to local food banks.
Accepted items include: paper towels, toilet paper, diapers (size 5), baby lotion, baby wash, baby wipes, laundry detergent and dish soap.
More information: Visit NEPA Synod's website.
March in Bethlehem
The city's annual Martin Luther King Day March will begin at 11:45 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19.
For the 36th year, the march will be led by Liberty High School alum and longtime Bethlehem resident Frankie West.
The march will start at the Comfort Suites hotel, 120 W. 3rd St., and conclude at MLK Park, 433 Carlton Ave.
Moravian University lunch
Moravian University’s Center for Inclusive Excellence will hold its third Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Lunch from 12:15 to 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19 in the Bahnson Center, Saal, 60 W. Locust St.
The luncheon will carry the theme “American Patriotism: Faith and Freedom from Truth to King,” with a keynote address examining how Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman and King embodied the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution through lives devoted to justice, faith and freedom.
Tickets, at $14.99, are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
More inormation: Visit Moravian University's MLK website.
Greater Shiloh Church service
The Greater Shiloh Church of Easton will hold its annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration featuring music performances by youth groups and remarks from local leaders.
The celebration will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19 in the church, 403 Pastor Fred Davis St.
For more information: Visit the church's website.
Congregation Bnai Shalom donation drive, recitation
Congregation Bnai Shalom will mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a community commemoration featuring a recitation of King’s historic 1963 “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”
Held at the synagogue at 1545 Bushkill St., Easton, the program also will feature a bagel brunch and a donation drive for the Jewish Family Service food pantry.
Following the reading, participants will be invited to help assemble toiletry care packages for families in need, with suggested donations of dish soap and/or boxed cereal for the pantry.
The event will be livestreamed on the Bnai ShalomYouTube channel, and registration is required to attend in person.
For more information: Visit the event page.
Family-friendly in Lower Macungie
“Dream Big: A Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.” will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, at Lower Macungie Library, 3450 Brookside Road, Macungie.
The free interactive event, designed for children in grades K–5, will be in the children’s program room.
Through storytelling, educational activities, and crafts, children will be taught how King used his voice to create change.
The program supports PA Forward Basic Literacy and requires registration; families needing special accommodations are encouraged to contact the library in advance.
For more information: Visit the library's website.
Editor's note: This list will be updated regularly. To add an MLK Day event, please email arts and culture reporter Micaela Hood at Micaelah@lehighvalleynews.com.
