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MLK Weekend 2023 in Los Angeles: 15 Best Things To Do With Kids

Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy this weekend. Photo courtesy of the City of Inglewood
Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy this weekend. Photo courtesy of the City of Inglewood
1/11/23 - By Toby B

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles during MLK weekend? Here are some events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is 'What are you doing for others?'" This weekend, families can join together to answer that question by participating in the National MLK Day of Service. A day spent giving back is just one way to honor Dr. King's memory. This year sees the return of some of the larger gatherings, including Long Beach's MLK Peace and Unity Parade Celebration and the Kingdom Day Parade along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Exposition Park. 

With all the rain we've been getting in LA, it's the perfect long weekend to head to the mountains and find snow near Los Angeles. Just be sure to check that mountain roads are drivable when you go, as we're expecting even more wet weather! Plus, January is free month here at Mommy Poppins, and we're in the middle of working our way through this list of the best free things to do in Los Angeles in January, and all the free local fun you'll find in our Guide to Free Things To Do in LA with Kids.

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The Circus comes to Los Angeles at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Photo courtesy of the Bob Baker Marionette Theater
The Circus comes to Los Angeles at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Photo courtesy of the Bob Baker Marionette Theater

Best Things To Do MLK Weekend in Los Angeles

Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic

Long Beach - Friday - Sunday, January 13-15
Magic can be found anywhere when you believe in yourself.  Like at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach, for instance.  Kids can see their favorite characters from Sesame Street come to life onstage in this new interactive musical stage show.   READ MORE

MLK Peace and Unity Parade Celebration

Long Beach - Saturday, January 14
Free
Following a 2 year hiatus, Long Beach's Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration returns for its 35th year. READ MORE

Santa Monica Symphony: Annual Martin Luther King Day Concert

Santa Monica - Saturday, January 14
Free
The Santa Monica Symphony's Annual Martin Luther King Day Concert is free, but all attendees must pre-register to attend. The concert includes great orchestral works, including Gershwin's iconic Rhapsody in Blue.  READ MORE

Wonders of Science at Lakeshore Learning

Multiple Locations - Saturday, January 14
Free
We have seen the Wonders of Science and they are -- kinda slimy. Lakeshore Learning stores host a free afternoon of hands-on activities introducing kids to the wonders of science. READ MORE

MLK Jr. Celebration: Freedom For All

Culver City - Saturday, January 14
Free
Culver City holds an in-person event to celebrate and honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. READ MORE

The Circus

Highland Park - Opens Saturday, January 14
The circus rolls into town at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater! The marionette Ringmaster proudly presents the greatest puppet show on Earth - featuring over 100 of Bob Baker’s exquisitely handcrafted marionettes. The fiercest (and the timidest) of animals roam, trapeze performers execute daring, spine-chilling aerial feats of acrobatics, and the clowns do what clowns do best. READ MORE

Monster Jam (Anaheim)

Anaheim- Friday & Saturday, January 14-15
Monster trucks smash, crash, and battle their way through Angel Stadium.  READ MORE

Asian Lunar New Year Festival at the Bowers Museum

Santa Ana - Sunday, January 15
2023, the Year of the Rabbit, is predicted to be a year of hope. First hopeful sign: this free festival in the Bowers Museum's Key Courtyard. Families are invited to celebrate the Lunar New Year with the beauty of Asian art, music, and dance. Guests can enjoy free face painting, treat samples, and art projects: sculpting lucky rabbits and decorating paper lanterns. READ MORE

16th Annual Southern California Slack Key Festival

Redondo Beach - Sunday, January 15
Hawaiian music comes to the mainland at the 2023 Southern California Slack Key Festival.  Taking its name from a finger-picking style of guitar playing indigenous to Hawaii, the Slack Key Festival brings the art of ki ho'alu guitar to Redondo Beach. READ MORE

Big Sunday's 11th Annual MLK Day Clothing Drive & Community Breakfast

Jefferson Park (South LA) - Monday, January 16
Free
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Big Sunday once again hosts an in-person event for volunteers, friends, and community members to help sort, count, and pack donated clothing to prepare it for nonprofit recipients. READ MORE

Kingdom Day Parade

Exposition Park - Monday, January 16
Free
The Kingdom Day Parade, one of the nation's largest events celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., is back. This year's theme is "America, The Last Best Hope of the World." READ MORE

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity Walk

Santa Clarita - Monday, January 16
Free
The community can come together for a Unity Walk in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at Santa Clarita's Central Park. The event focuses on Dr. King’s legacy and contributions to our nation. READ MORE

CAAM King Day 2023

Exposition Park - Monday, January 16
Free
For the first time since the pandemic, CAAM will host their annual King Day in person. This celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. includes a performance by the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles and family activities hosted by the Los Angeles County Library. This year's theme is MLK: A Legacy of Service.  READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Multiple Locations - Monday, January 16
Free
On select days throughout the year, all national parks are open to the public with no admission fee. READ MORE

MLK National Day of Service

Multiple Locations - Monday, January 16
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day each year, all Americans are encouraged to step up to make communities more equitable and take action to create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream. Examples include cleaning up a public space, mentoring a young person, or helping those who are food insecure. READ MORE
Enjoy free musical story time all month long. Photo courtesy of the Books and Cookies Facebook page
Enjoy free musical story time all month long. Photo courtesy of the Books and Cookies Facebook page

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