Each year, Philadelphia honors Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of service and an extended weekend of events celebrating the life and legacy of the iconic civil rights leader.
For 2023, Philadelphia museums and attractions — including the Museum of the American Revolution, the National Constitution Center and Eastern State Penitentiary — hold special events, programs and workshops to shed light on King’s legacy. Volunteers can also find service opportunities during the Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service taking place on Monday, January 16, 2023.
Plus, the long weekend offers residents and visitors opportunities to enjoy outdoor winter fun at Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, Dilworth Park and Franklin Square; meal deals during the ever-popular Center City District Restaurant Week and special exhibitions, including Matisse in the 1930s at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Below are our top picks for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Philadelphia for 2023, along with an array of other events and activities to enjoy over the long weekend from January 14-16, 2023.
The African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) hosts a full weekend of special programming to honor Dr. King’s legacy. After a Friday evening give back event, Saturday is AAMP’s “Day of Dance,” featuring African dance classes for the kiddos, performances from local students and Philadelphia Ballet II dancers, and a panel discussion about Black voices in the world of choreography. On Sunday, award-winning photographer Jamel Shabazz hosts an artist talk from 2-4 p.m. focused on his two newly released books, Jamel Shabazz: Albums and the revision of his 2005 A Time before Crack. And on Monday, the museum offers free admission to all attendees. More details can be found further down in this article.
Where: The African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street
A weekend of special programming at the Museum of the American Revolution is anchored by a Saturday performance from the Philadelphia Jazz Project. Wait Means Never: A Musical Exploration of MLK’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail combines singing, instrumental music and spoken word to reflect on the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Other weekend highlights include daily gallery talks about voting rights, conversations about protest movements in early America and first-person performances portraying the life of Elizabeth Freeman, a formerly enslaved woman whose 1781 lawsuit helped to end slavery in Massachusetts. All programming is included in regular museum admission.
Where: Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. 3rd Street
What better way to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. than by lending a hand in a service project? This year marks the 28th annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service. Volunteers can sign up for one of the dozens of in-person service projects happening throughout the region, including meal prep and food distribution initiatives, community cleanups, and literacy programs.
Where: Locations throughout Greater Philadelphia
Help beautify one of the city’s largest public gardens and historic landmarks during this two-hour service activity in Southwest Philadelphia. The event is helpful in prepping the community space for springtime plantings and activities.
Where: Bartram's Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard
This annual event — organized by the African People’s Education and Defense Fund — pairs reflection with direct action, with screenings of speeches made by civil rights leaders, live drum circles and spoken word poetry. The event is free, but registration is encouraged.
Where: Uhuru Furniture & Collectibles, 832 N. Broad Street
The African American Museum in Philadelphia celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day with free admission for all visitors on Monday, January 16, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to the museum’s regular programming, Teana Sykes, financial consultant and founder of the local financial literacy group Tea Talk, is on hand to host interactive financial literacy activities for children and their families from 2-3:30 p.m.
Enjoy free admission and extended hours at the National Constitution Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Special programming includes two readings of MLK’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech at 11:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m., family-friendly concerts featuring songs from the civil rights era, and arts and craft activity tables in the grand hall lobby.
Where: National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street
This free all-ages event at Philly’s historic Eastern State Penitentiary commemorates Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy with special emphasis on his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” an open letter he penned while incarcerated in 1963. Throughout the day, guest speakers read excerpts from the letter and other monumental texts written by civil rights leaders. From noon to 2 p.m., kids can participate in special storytime circles and hands-on activities.
Where: Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Avenue
Lift every voice and sing! Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin and musicians from the Philadelphia Orchestra are joined by choirs from Girard College High School and Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts for this annual tribute concert. The afternoon program features works from Black composers and excerpts from speeches made by Martin Luther King Jr. The concert is free, but reserved tickets are required.
Where: Girard College Chapel, 2101 S. College Avenue
There’s never a bad time to support Philly’s Black- and Brown-owned businesses, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend offers the perfect opportunity to discover a new favorite shop, boutique or restaurant. Hit up only-in-Philly businesses like YOWIE, Shannon Maldonado’s home and lifestyle shop in Queen Village, or Fishtown’s Harriett’s Bookshop, aptly named in honor of Harriet Tubman; get pampered with treatments and products from 3rd Element Spa and Dope Botanicals; and order your favorite dishes from SOUTH, Franny Lou’s Porch and other Black-owned restaurants.
Where: Various locations including YOWIE, 716 S. 4th Street
Through Sunday, January 29, 2023
On view at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, this exhibition explores changes in Matisse’s work across multiple formats, including easel and decorative painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, and the illustrated book. The exhibition also addresses the methods of working that renewed the artist’s style, as well as his depictions of female models in the studio and more.
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Through Sunday, January 31, 2023
This massive unauthorized exhibition features more than 80 works from Banksy, the elusive street artist whose provocative pieces have captivated global audiences since the late 1990s. Suss through clues about the artist’s (still-unknown) identity while examining dozens of authenticated works of art up close. Tickets are required to enter the exhibition space, and an optional virtual reality experience offers a 360-degree virtual tour through the artist’s career.
Where: Fashion District Philadelphia, 901 Market Street
Through Sunday, February 26, 2023
Franklin Square celebrates the winter season with free nightly light shows inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s legendary kite and key experiment. Free light shows — set to a soundtrack of seasonal tunes — illuminate the square every 30 minutes from 5 p.m. until close. Before or after the show, grab a burger or beverage fireside from the on-site Square Burger, play a round of festive Chilly Philly Mini Golf or hop aboard the classic Parx Liberty Carousel. New this winter: Try your hand at street curling, an iceless version of everyone’s favorite Olympic sport. You can reserve one of two rinks for 30-minute sessions that accommodate up to eight players.
Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street
Through Sunday, March 6, 2023
Experience a riverfront winter wonderland at the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest. Glide around an enormous ice skating rink, snap a photo next to the festive holiday tree and warm up with a hot beverage next to a fire pit or inside a cozy cabin. Entry into Winterfest is free. Ice skating, cabins and firepits can be reserved in advance.
Where: Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, 101 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
Through Sunday, March 26, 2023 (dates vary by attraction)
It’s a winter wonderland in the shadow of City Hall. Glide around the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink, snap a selfie in the festive Wintergarden, warm up with a hot beverage inside the Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin and grab some seasonal snacks — all set against a very festive backdrop. Reservations are encouraged for timed, 90-minute skating sessions.
Where: Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th Street
Treat yourself! Score delicious bites at discounted prices at more than 60 (yep, as in six-zero) of Center City’s most popular restaurants during Center City District Restaurant Week. During the downtown dining-deal celebration, participating restaurants in Center City offer fixed, three-course dinner menus for $40 per person, with select spots also offering lunch for $25 a pop.
Where: Various locations including Ancient Spirits & Grillè, 1726 Chestnut Street
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.
Black-owned spas, boutiques, bookstores and more...