January 16, 2019
Source/Visit Philadelphia™
“MLK on Lancaster Avenue,” located at 40th St., portrays Dr. King’s address to a crowd of 10,000 people in 1965.
On Monday, communities will gather to celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In Philly, local museums and attractions will commemorate the civil rights icon with special programming and discounted admission. Check out our roundup below for where to go over MLK weekend.
Eastern State Penitentiary will commemorate MLK weekend with three days of free programming.
There will be readings of Dr. King's 1963 landmark text "Letter from Birmingham Jail" and opportunities for visitors to respond to its relevance in light of recent civil and human rights movements.
On Monday, there will also be family arts & crafts projects and storytime. Check out the full schedule here.
Saturday, Jan. 19, through Monday, Jan. 21
2027 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19130
The African American Museum in Philadelphia hosts an annual MLK weekend celebration. This year, there will be a free screening of the documentary "Whose Streets?" on Friday night, and a jazz presentation on Sunday. Monday's highlights include a scavenger hunt, visit from the Phillie Phanatic and a keynote conversation.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can explore the core exhibit "Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia, 1776-1876," the special exhibit "Cotton: The Soft, Dangerous Beauty of the Past" (now extended through February) and the newly opened exhibit "Photographic Memory."
Saturday through Monday, admission to the museum will be $2. View the full schedule of events and get tickets here.
Friday, Jan. 18, through Monday, Jan. 21
701 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
Admission to the National Constitution Center will be $5 on MLK Day.
Special programs include a reading of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech, performed by a diverse ensemble of local actors and students, and concerts by Two of a Kind, an award-winning husband-wife duo. Additional programming includes craft projects and storytime. Here's the full schedule.
And like past years, the National Constitution Center is asking for donations for Philadelphia school students. Throughout MLK Day, visitors can drop off books and school supplies.
Monday, Jan. 21
525 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
Six members of the Philadelphia Jazz Project will perform a combination of spoken word and jazz, blues and gospel music in celebration of the revolutionary life and legacy of Dr. King. The performance will take place Saturday, from 3 to 4 p.m.
It's free to attend with museum admission. During the partial government shutdown, federal workers can visit the museum for free and bring up to three guests.
Saturday, Jan. 19
101 S. Third St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
On MLK Day, the Philadelphia Museum of Art will offer pay-what-you-wish admission between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Spend your day off exploring the many galleries.
The museum is home to an impressive collection of artwork, include sculptures, paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, armor and decorative arts.
Special exhibits currently on view are "Fabulous Fashion: From Dior’s New Look to Now" and "Little Ladies: Victorian Fashion Dolls and the Feminine Ideal."
Monday, Jan. 21
2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130
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