PHOENIX — Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, most events and celebrations are virtual, but celebrations to honor and remember Martin Luther King, Jr. are happening around the Valley.
Here are some of the events happening around town -- and how to participate.
City of Phoenix Virtual MLK Celebration
The City of Phoenix held a virtual celebration on Friday, Jan. 14. You can re-watch that celebration below:
A few in-person events will be held on Monday, Jan. 17, which include:
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Candlelight Service
- Location: Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church
- Time: 6:00 p.m.
- To RSVP click here.
Arizona MLK Celebration March & Festival
- The march will begin at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church and will end at Margaret T. Hance Park.
- Time: 9:00 a.m.
- The festival is set for 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- To RSVP
Tempe's Diversity Awards
The City of Tempe will host its annual Diversity Awards on Friday, Jan. 14 at 1:30 p.m. Mayor Corey Woods will also deliver the keynote for that ceremony. It will be shown on the City of Tempe Facebook page and on Tempe 11. More information.
Unity ArtWalk: A Visual Journey of Diversity, Culture and Equity”
Each year, a number of Valley cities host a Regional Unity Walk at Tempe Town Lake. Due to the pandemic, the cities have transformed the event into a nearly-month-long art walk, featuring "signature art pieces, including murals, photos, performances and sculptures for the community to experience" in each of the cities -- Chandler, Gilbert, Guadalupe, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe.
The art walk runs Jan. 5-31. More information.
Virtual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration & Day of Service
On Saturday, Jan. 15, the City of Surprise will host a virtual program "celebrating the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., leading into a day of community service."
The program begins at 9 a.m. and will be streamed on the City of Surprise Facebook page and on Surprise TV. More information.
Chandler Multicultural Festival
Chandler's yearly Multicultural Festival will be virtual this year. On Saturday, Jan. 15, the City of Chandler will stream "lively performances, cooking demonstrations and art from around the world" on the City of Chandler Facebook page.
The event begins at 11 a.m. More information.
City of Mesa's Virtual MLK Day Parade
The City of Mesa will present a virtual Martin Luther King Day parade on Monday, Jan. 17. The pre-produced parade video will be posted to the City of Mesa's website on Monday morning, a city spokesperson told ABC15.
The video is expected to be posted, here.
“MLK: Celebrating the Legacy” mini docu-series
Arizona PBS, the Mesa MLK Celebration Committee, as well as the cities of Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, Chandler, Scottsdale, and Gilbert partnered to create a three-part, digital mini-documentary on Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech.
That mini-documentary is scheduled to air at 5 p.m. on Monday, January 17, 2021, on PBS during its "Horizon" program. More information.
Paradise Valley MLK Day Celebration
Paradise Valley will host a virtual celebration to honor Martin Luther King. The celebration will be live-streamed on Monday, Jan. 17 on the town's website, here.
It will feature remarks from the town's mayor, as well as local leaders, and music.
MLK Day March on ASU West
On Tuesday, Jan. 18, ASU West will host a virtual program in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. The program will include presentations on the civil rights movement, clips from the famous March on Washington in 1968, and a live re-enactment of King's famous "I have a dream" speech.
The hour-long program begins at 10 a.m. Those interested can register, here, and a Zoom link will then be shared. More information.
