On Monday, January 19, southwestern Pennsylvania residents will be able to reflect on the life and works of Civil Rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Residents will have a variety of events celebrating the day from which to choose, from luncheons to events at art museums or institutions.
Below is a list of events taking place on January 19 to celebrate MLK Day.
Allegheny County
Day Off at the Museum
The Carnegie Museum of Art will hold an event for young artists on January 19 during which they will immerse themselves in art on their day off from school.
Children, ages 6 to 10, will be able to experiment with a variety of materials, make new discoveries, and explore techniques to help them grow as artists. They will be able to find inspiration in the museum’s galleries and create original artworks through painting, printing, sculpting, and mixed media. They can also engage in playful art and sensory challenges.
The camp costs $85 and registration is required.
East Liberty Celebration of MLK
East Liberty will host The Beloved Community, a celebration of King. Community Partners Activities will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., while a Youth Performance Program will run from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The pay-what-you-will event, which will be held at the Kelly Staryhorn Theater, will be a day of reflection, unity, and creative expression. The annual event brings together artists, neighbors, and changemakers.
Attendees can begin the day with activities in KST’s lobby, including the “After the Dream” exhibition of portraits celebrating past and future freedom fighters. Then, there will be performances celebrating King’s legacy by Hill Dance Academy Theatre, Lemington Gospel Chorale, and students from ARYSE.
Let Freedom Sing
The Kelly Strayhorn Theater will also host the “Let Freedom Sing” concert at 7:30 p.m. The 19th annual concert celebrates King’s social justice legacy through vocal and instrumental music and spoken word.
Tickets cost anywhere from $2 to $50 on a pay-what-you-will basis.
Streaming Justice at SLB Radio
Students in grades six to 12 will host Streaming Justice, a live radio talk show broadcast held each year on MLK Day. The show focuses on civil rights with teen-selected topics such as music, conversation, listener phone calls, and more.
Those interested in listening can do so online.
MLK Day of Service
The University of Pittsburgh will host a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Community, and Connection on January 19.
Attendees can volunteer at local nonprofits during the event, which includes free breakfast, a keynote speaker, and the opportunity to reflect with fellow volunteers.
Free Community Day
The Pittsburgh Glass Center will hold a Free Community Day to celebrate MLK. Attendees will learn about glass and enjoy hands-on activities that demonstrate the importance of teamwork in the creative process. Glassblowing demonstrations will be held throughout the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Other Counties
The First Presbyterian Church, located at 252 College Ave. in Beaver, will hold an MLK Day luncheon on Friday, January 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Commons. Christians United will sponsor the event.
The Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance will hold a service honoring MLK at 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 18 at the First Presbyterian Church, located at 125 N. Jefferson St. in New Castle, The main speaker will be Bryan Crawl, pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Rochester.
The MLK Night of the Arts will be held at 7 p.m. on January 19 at the Skye Lounge Student Center at Geneva College in Beaver Falls. The event celebrates King’s life through the use of music, spoken word, dance, and art.
The Indiana County NAACP will host the Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Luncheon on Saturday, January 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the First Uniterian Universalist Church. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature children’s showcases and the county’s new mayoral. RSVP is requested by email at naacpindianapa@gmail.com or by phone at 724-464-8390.
Hagerstown Community College will host its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Week from January 19 to 22. All on-campus events are free and open to the public. The week’s signature community event, the Annual Community Peace Walk, will take place on Thursday, January 22 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. It will begin at the school’s student center with a brief opening ceremony. Earlier in the week, the school will host a National Day of Racial Healing with student poster presentations in the student center on Tuesday, January 20 and a Lunch & Learn discussion at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 21 in the student center.
The Fayette County NAACP Branch will hold its 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on January 19. Those taking part in the parade will line up at 9 a.m. and the parade will begin at 10 a.m.
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art will hold a Martin Luther King Jr. Day Open House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on January 19. The special day of programming will include performances, a unity candle-lighting ceremony, an interactive drum circle, and a musical tribute by Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church.
