MLK Jr. Freedom Run
Race organizer The Best Races will host this event including a 5K, 10K and half marathon at Richard Montoya Park in Southeast Austin.
- Jan. 18, 7:30 a.m.
- $30+ (registration)
- 10001 Burleson Road, Austin
- Eventbrite: The Best Races
The Austin Public Library will host an MLK celebration with performances by Meridian World School Black Culture Choir and Elizabeth Kahura followed by a panel discussion and community conversation lead by the Huston-Tillotson University’s Politics Lab of the James L. Farmer House.
- Jan. 18, noon-4 p.m.
- Free (admission)
- Central Library 1st floor, 710 W. César Chávez St., Austin
- www.library.austintexas.gov
According to AmeriCorps, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a National Day of Service. To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the designation, the Pflugerville community will gather to beautify and remove litter from Windmere Park and its surrounding areas. Cleanup supplies will be provided.
- Jan. 18, 1-4 p.m.
- Free (admission)
- 16800 Gower St., Pflugerville
- www.parks.pflugervilletx.gov
This 38th annual celebration presented by the Round Rock Black History Organization will include a march from Buck Egger Park toward Centennial Plaza where there will be a program with performances by Round Rock ISD’s CD Fulkes Middle School Choir.
- Jan. 18, 1:30-3:15 p.m.
- Free (admission)
- 900 S. Mays St., Round Rock; 301 West Bagdad Ave., Round Rock
- www.roundrocktexas.gov/news
Presented by the Austin Area Heritage Council and the City of Austin, the event begins with a march and rally starting at the Capitol. From there, marchers will walk to Huston Tillotson University where there will be food vendors, a kids’ area with rides and games, live music and more. Attendees can bring nonperishable food items to donate to the Central Texas Food Bank.
- Jan. 20, 9:30 a.m. (march begins); 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (Festival)
- Free (admission)
- 1100 Congress Ave., Austin
- www.mlkcelebration.com
The Dunbar Heritage Association will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a wreath-laying ceremony at the LBJ MLK Crossroads Memorial in downtown San Marcos. After a walk to the courthouse, community members can gather for a reception at Dunbar Park.
- Jan. 20, 9:30 a.m.
- Free (admission)
- MLK Drive & LBJ Drive, San Marcos
- www.dhasmtx.com
The Bastrop County Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission’s MLK day walk has been canceled due to weather, but plans for the indoor celebration will proceed. The program at the Bastrop Convention and Exhibit Center will include speeches, music and light refreshments.
- Jan. 20, 11 a.m. (celebration)
- Free (admission)
- 1408 Chestnut St., Bastrop
- www.smithvilletx.org/bastrop-county-mlkday
The City of Leander and the Leander Public Arts and Culture Commission will present their march and celebration with the theme “Marching Towards A Better Tomorrow.” Due to inclement weather, the event will take place at the Leander Activity Center. The march will leave from the parking lot at 10 a.m. and all main events, including dances, music and spoken word performances, will take place inside.
- Jan. 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m
- Free (admission)
- 11880 Hero Way W., Leander
- www.leandertx.gov/486/MLK-Day-March-and-Celebration
The seven-block march will begin at the Williamson County Courthouse and conclude at Macedonia Baptist Church for a program including keynote speaker Sonja Cousar, Sunshine Counselor founder and CEO.
- Jan 20, noon (march begins)
- Free (admission)
- 710 S. Main St., Georgetown; 206 Martin Luther King Jr. St., Georgetown
- www.georgetowntexas.gov/news_detail_T29_R391.php
The Pease Park Conservancy will host a donation drive for food items, feminine products and diapers. A list of requested donations can be found on the organization’s website.
- Jan. 20, noon-5 p.m.
- Free (admission)
- Kingsbury Commons at Pease Park, 1100 Kingsbury St., Austin
- www.peasepark.org
