Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a great time to reflect on one of our nation’s greatest civil rights leaders and how we, as a community, treat others.
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IUPUI Day of Service
Saturday, January 16 from 8 am to 1:30 pm
Hundreds of students, faculty, and guests volunteer at various sites around Indianapolis for the Day of Service, a tribute to Dr. King’s commitment to service and social justice. Participants meet at the IUPUI Campus Center.
Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA)
Sunday, January 17 from 1 pm to 5 pm, complimentary admission
The IMA is partnering with local artists to offer an afternoon of written, spoken, and interactive expressions of love in the galleries. Guests can spread messages of love inspired by works of art or the world around them. Poets and performers, curated in partnership with Old Soul Entertainment, will present throughout the afternoon (1 - 4 pm).
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Monday, January 18 from 10 am to 5 pm, complimentary admission
Visitors enjoy exhibitions, activities, storytelling, and performances by The Griot Drum Ensemble.
Rhythm! Discovery Center
Monday, January 18 from 10 am to 5 pm, complimentary admission
Join the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation for a kid-friendly jazz concert at 11 am in celebration of Dr. King.
Conner Prairie Interactive History Park
Monday, January 18 from 10 am to 5 pm, complimentary admission
Join for a day of storytelling, singing songs, and role playing that illustrate King’s vision of what could be achieved through non-violent protests.
Harlem Globetrotters
Monday, January 18 at 2 pm, tickets start at $23
The iconic Harlem Globetrotters come to Bankers Life Fieldhouse to show off their ball handling wizardry and provide some good laughs for the family.
White River State Park
Monday, January 18
Complimentary admission to each attraction with a donation of one non-perishable food item, per person, per attraction, for Gleaner’s Food Bank.
- Eiteljorg Museum: Enjoy the museum’s holiday exhibit, Jingle Rails - The Western Rail Adventure and the Contemporary Art Fellowship exhibit, CONVERSATIONS, plus the museum’s world-class art collection.
- Indiana State Museum: Enjoy films, activities, and performances. Visitors can see first-hand two of the documents that laid the foundation for equality: the Emancipation Proclamation and 13th Amendment. Actors from the Phoenix Theatre will present excerpts from “Butler." Eskenazi Health and the Indianapolis Indians will offer free health screenings at the Museum from 10 am to 2 pm, and participants will receive a complimentary ticket to Opening Night at Victory Field.
- IMAX Theatre: Located inside the Indiana State Museum, moviegoers can catch Hubble: The IMAX Experience for free (as space permits) at 10 am, 11:10 am, 12:20 pm, 1:30 pm and 2:40 pm. Note: tickets are typically sold out by noon.
- Indianapolis Zoo: Walk the grounds and see animals, especially the ones that love the cooler temperatures. Visitors can also enjoy a free Dolphin Adventure Show.
- NCAA Hall of Champions: Visitors can shoot hoops in the NCAA Hall of Champions court where current and former student athletes lead classes. At 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm, watch the film “Game of Change,” involving the 1963 NCAA men's basketball tournament regional semifinal.
- Indiana Historical Society (IHS): Visitors enjoy performances, programs, and service opportunities, as well as the award winning Indiana Experience. Watch a short play featuring Hoosier reactions to Robert F. Kennedy's speech in Indianapolis the night Dr. King was assassinated, view original materials related to MLK and the Civil Rights Movement in Indiana and pack care packages to benefit Wheeler Mission.
How do you plan to celebrate MLK Day? Share with us at @VisitIndy, and tweet us your photos on the big day.