This year, Martin Luther King Day is observed on Monday, January 20th. In remembrance of Dr. King's legacy, his January 15th birthday, and contributions to the civil rights movement, Americans also celebrate The Day of Service, which encourages locals to give back to their community, on this holiday. The Montclair Girl has compiled a list of local events and volunteering opportunities in honor of MLK. Keep reading for a brief history of MLK, his local ties to Montclair, and events happening in Northern New Jersey for 2025.

The History

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15th, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He is best known as a Baptist minister and social activist who led the civil rights movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. His leadership was fundamental to ending the legal segregation of African Americans in the South and other parts of the country. MLK rose to national prominence as head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which promoted nonviolent tactics. Undoubtedly the most popular and influential movement was the massive March on Washington in 1963, where Dr. King gave his infamous "I Have a Dream" speech. The Civil Rights Act was passed a year later in 1964 and Dr. King was then awarded the Nobel Peace Prize shortly after. He is considered one of the greatest orators of modern times, and his speeches still inspire many to this day.

Read More: Essex County’s Women of the American Revolution

Did You Know?

• King’s birth name was Michael, not Martin.
• King entered college at the age of 15.
• King received his doctorate in Systematic Theology.
• King’s “I Have a Dream” speech was not his first at the Lincoln Memorial.
• King was imprisoned nearly 30 times.
• George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Cesar Chavez are the only other Americans with birthdays observed as a National Holiday.
• MLK was the youngest person to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
• There are over 730 streets in the United States named after Martin Luther King, Jr.
• He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal + the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

MLK’s Ties to Montclair

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) visited Montclair High School (MHS) on Sunday, September 11th, 1966, to give a retirement speech in honor of Reverend D.C. Rice of Union Baptist Church in Montclair, according to the Montclair Dispatch. Rev. Rice had been a family friend of the King’s. When MLK was young, he met the reverend on a summer trip to visit family in Paterson, NJ. Eventually, Rev. Rice became a mentor to MLK.

When news broke that MLK would be speaking at Rev. Rice’s retirement ceremony, many people, not just congregants, wanted to attend. The reverend’s church didn’t have enough room to hold everybody and Montclair High School was chosen as the alternate venue. The announcement that Dr. King would be speaking in the high school’s gym sparked controversy. It caused a public outcry among some of Montclair’s white residents, angry that the church was using public property for the event. The outcome was that MLK gave two speeches that day. Dr. King delivered the first to a mainly white audience in Montclair High’s new gymnasium; the topic was the inequalities of school segregation. His second was directed to Rev. Rice’s church congregation in the auditorium. Dr. King waited in the high school’s band room between the two speeches. From there, he saw the many civilians lining Park Street and protesting his visit.

In 2016, on the 50th anniversary of MLK’s visit, the students in the Montclair High School Civics and Government Institute (CGI) unveiled a new bronze plaque, as mentioned in the Montclair Dispatch, to commemorate Dr. King’s visit. It was a replica of a long-lost but ultimately found black and white photo of MLK sitting on a chair in the music room, waiting to give his second speech.

MLK Day Events in Northern New Jersey

38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Breakfast at St. Paul Baptist Church | 119 Elm Street, Montclair

January 18th | 9AM-12PM

Dr. Martin Luther King March of Resistance | 495 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Newark

January 18th | 12PM

The Martin Luther King Jr. March of Resistance is sponsored by People's Organization for Progress, a Newark-based social justice organization. This march, which has been endorsed by over 250 organizations, has occurred annually for over 35 years. Participants will meet at the Martin Luther King Jr. statue on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard prior to the march. Learn more about this event here.

Portrait Painting Family Workshop: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Jersey City Free Public Library: Cunningham Branch | 275 Martin Luther King Drive, Jersey City

January 18th | 1PM-2:30PM

Hudson County residents are invited to paint a portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at this family-friendly event. This community gathering will take place at the Cunningham Branch of the Jersey City Free Public Library. All kinds of painting supplies will be provided to guests. While registration is currently full, locals can sign up for the waitlist here.

MLK Day Celebration Unity Run + Walk at Nishuane Park | High Street, Montclair

January 19th | 9AM-12PM

Fleet Feet Montclair, Black Men Run Northern New Jersey Chapter, and Brooks will host a 5k Unity Run + Walk in honor of MLK Jr. + Coretta Scott King. This run + walk will begin at Nishuane Park, near the Kings Monument. In addition, hosts will collect toiletries for Toni’s Kitchen at this event. Locals can drop off their donations at the park between 8AM and 9AM. Donations will also be accepted at Fleet Feet Montclair from January 17th through January 19th. Click here for more details about this event.

Care of the Park in Branch Brook Park | 115 Clifton Avenue, Newark

January 20th | 10AM-2PM

Essex County locals who want to get involved on MLK Jr. Day can attend this Jersey Cares event to beautify Branch Brook Park in Newark. Attendees will help remove the invasive Phragmitie plant from different areas of the park. This project runs from January 15th to February 27th, so those who cannot attend on January 20th can also volunteer on any of the other dates. Register for this park clean-up event here.

Jersey Cares Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service — "I Have A Dream" Walk at Millburn High School Track | 462 Millburn Avenue, Millburn

January 20th | 10AM-12PM

Join Jersey Cares for its annual "I Have A Dream" Walk on January 15th in Millburn. Guests have the choice to either walk two miles or run a 5K. 50% of all funds raised at this event will go towards the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. Registration for this event is free. See More information here.

MLK Day of Service: Kit Assembly | Multiple Locations

January 20th | Various Times

At this Jersey Cares event, locals can volunteer to make a variety of kits to support children in need, as well as local nonprofits and schools all over the state. The kits include Grief Sensory Kits, Sensory Kits, Adopt A Dog Kits, Veteran Support Dog Kits, Children's Literacy Kits, and Adult Literacy Kits. These events will take place in Parsippany, Princeton, and Woodbridge on January 20th. Times for these events vary. See more information here.

MLK Jr. Day Happy Hour at The Shannon Rose | 8 Kingsland Road, Clifton + 1200 NJ-17, Ramsey

January 20th | 11AM

The Shannon Rose in Clifton and Ramsey will host an MLK Jr. Day happy hour on January 20th. Customers can look forward to various menu specials and $2 off beer, liquor, wine, and mocktails. This happy hour will start at 11AM.

MLK Illuminary Lighting + Canned Food Drive at Meadowland Park | 5 Mead Street, South Orange

January 20th | 2PM-5PM

Locals can see the largest display of MLK Jr. Day luminaries in the South Orange + Maplewood area at Meadowland Park on MLK Jr. Day. In collaboration with the Community Coalition on Race, the park will be filled with light from the luminaries and special lighting + video installations at 5PM. This event will also consist of a canned food drive at 2PM. Attendees are encouraged to bring all sorts of non-perishable canned items. Learn more about this event here.

2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Annual Memorial at the Culinary Conference Center | 161 Newkirk Street, Jersey City

January 28th | 10:30AM-12PM

Hudson County locals are invited to join Hudson County Community College on January 28th to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of civil rights icon Malcolm X, will speak at this annual event. The memorial will also feature the opening reception of the HCCC's Civil Rights exhibition in the Benjamin J. Dineen + Dennis C. Hull Gallery at the Gabert Library, which is located on the Sixth Floor of the college. Register for this event here.

30th Annual Martin Luther King Oratory Contest 2025 at City Hall Council Chambers | 280 Grove Street, 2nd Floor, Jersey City

February 3rd-February 5th | 3:30PM-7:30PM + 3:30PM-6PM

The annual MLK oratory contest, organized by Jersey City's Office of Cultural Affairs, has returned for 2025. To celebrate Black History Month, elementary and middle school students will perform one of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s writings or speeches in front of a panel of judges. Grades three to five will perform on February 3rd from 3:30PM to 7:30PM. Grades six to eight will perform on February 4th from 3:30PM to 7:30PM. The final competition will take place on February 5th from 3:30PM to 6PM. See more information here.

Volunteer Opportunities

MLK Day of Service Weekend Snack Pack at Community Baptist Church of Englewood | 224 1st Street, Englewood

January 18th | 12PM-3PM

This MLK Day of Service event, hosted by the Center for Food Action, invites volunteers to help create 2,000 snack packs for children in need. According to its website, this will "[help] fill the gap for children at risk of hunger by providing healthy, kid-friendly, and easy-to-prepare foods." Get tickets for this event here.

Coat Sorting with Jersey Cares | Multiple Locations

January 19th | 12PM-4PM

Volunteers will have the opportunity to sort through coat donations in person at Jersey Cares' container sites the day before MLK Day. While some sites are closed for registration as of this writing, there are multiple locations available, including the Branchburg, Cherry Hill, Garfield, Livingston, and Morristown sites. Registration is free and the project is suitable for people aged 14 and older. Register for this event here.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Food Drive at Chatham United Methodist Church | 464 Main Street, Chatham

 January 20th | 9:30AM-12PM

The Chatham United Methodist Church will host a food drive in observance of MLK Day 2025 on January 20th. Suggested donations include pasta, rice, canned fruits + vegetables, peanut butter, and other non-perishable canned or boxed items. From 11:30AM to 12PM, attendees can partake in a prayer service while reflecting on the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

See More: A List of Hoboken + Jersey City Non-Profits to Donate to Year-Round

Martin Luther King Day of Service at JCC of Central New Jersey | 1391 Martine Avenue, Scotch Plains

 January 20th | 10AM-5PM

Those interested in getting involved on this historic day can volunteer and donate through Scotch Plains + Fanwood's MLK Day of Service Event. This event at JCC of Central New Jersey will start at 10AM. From 11AM to 5PM, families can partake in online + in-person volunteer opportunities.

In the spirit of MLK Day, there are also many ways to give back right here in Montclair. Check out our round-up of local organizations + non-profits here.