Martin Luther King Celebrations return to downtown

Head to Central Bank Center to honor the legacy and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

A large group of people marching down the street with an MLK banner

MLK March on January 21, 2019 in Lexington, Ky.

| Photo by Mark Cornelison

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After a two-year hiatus, the annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration is returning to downtown Lexington on Monday, Jan. 16.

This year marks 50 years of the event, making it one of the oldest in the US. The first iteration was held in 1973 as a candle-lit march through UK’s campus.

The theme for 2023 is “MLK Holiday 50th Anniversary: A Half Century of Lighting Candles of Hope Against The Threat of Darkness.” Here’s how you can join in honoring the legacy and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Schedule of events 🗓️

  • Freedom March | 1 p.m. | The walk will begin and end at Central Bank Center traveling along Vine and Main Streets.
  • Commemorative Program | 2 p.m. | We’ll be joined by keynote speaker Dr. David Hall, President of the University of Virgin Islands and legal scholar known internationally for his social justice work. The day will also include a special performance from Uniting Voices Chicago.