Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Events in Philadelphia

Every year, Philadelphia honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day to give back.

Now in its 18th year, the Annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is the largest MLK Day event in the country. More than 100,000 volunteers participated in 1,500 service projects in 2012 and this year is expected to be bigger than ever.

Browse service projects and volunteer on the official MLK Day of Service page.

In addition to hundreds of volunteer service projects, Philadelphia celebrates MLK Day with special events and festivities throughout the day. Check out a few of our top MLK Day celebrations in Philadelphia, below.

Sharing the Heritage! at the African American Museum in Philadelphia

Enjoy free admission to the African American Museum all day and celebrate with special events and activities including a scavenger hunt, break dance workshop and Community Celebration with live music, readings and more. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Arts & Service Workshop at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art will be opening its doors Monday, offering Pay What You Wish admission in addition to a day-long Arts & Service Workshop featuring activities for all ages. Arts and crafts created will be donated to the Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance (MANNA) and the Cascarones Por la Vida Art Fund. Participants and also enjoy a reading by illustrator E. B. Lewis, whose books share Dr King’s message of love and service. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

MLK, Jr. & Inauguration Day Celebration at the National Constitution Center

The National Constitution Center commemorates MLK Day and the 57th Presidential Inauguration with free admission and a day of service projects, special performances and activities all day long. You can checkout the full program schedule onine right here. 525 Arch Street, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Martin Luther King Weekend at Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with special readings of King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” during the holiday weekend. Listen to excerpts read from Dr. King’s letter–written 50 years ago–twice daily on Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The readings are free and open to the public. Free tickets are available at easternstate.org/tickets or at the door subject to availability.

The Franklin Institute

The Franklin Institute is honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with showings of his iconic “I Have A Dream” on the walls of Franklin Hall at the top of every hour. Additional events include an “African American Scientists Scavenger Hunt” and the creation of a wall of dreams.

MLK Family Day at the National Museum of American Jewish History

Admission to the National Museum of American Jewish History will be free all day as the museum commemorates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Free Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert

Come and celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as newly-inaugurated Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads The Philadelphia Orchestra in a free community concert at Martin Luther King High School. 6100 Stenton Avenue, 4 p.m.

GroundSwell: A Celebration of Arts & Community at Arden Theater

Join the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance on MLK Day, as they partner with Arden Theatre, With Art Philadelphia, Art-Reach and First Person Arts to celebrate arts, culture and community, and launch their latest communty project GroundSwell. Enjoy a special story-sharing experience curated by First Person Arts, an open mic story cafe, interactive art-making activities presented by Mural Arts Program and other fun activities for the entire family. 20 N. 2nd Street, 5:30 – 8 p.m.

MLK Day at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

Create tiles for the intricate mosaics of Isaiah Zagar, learn reverse-painted glass techniques and more hand-on activities at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Free with paid admission.