JANUARY 19, 2026
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM • FREE ADMISSION
VIRTUAL PRESENTATION • 10:00 AM Central
The National Civil Rights Museum invites you to join us for King Day, a daylong celebration marking the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a federal holiday.
This Legacy Year holds special significance as we celebrate the Museum’s 35th anniversary and prepare for the grand reopening of The Legacy Experience this spring. With free museum admission, extended hours from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and vibrant programming throughout the day, we honor Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community by bringing thousands together in reflection, unity, and action.
King Day Highlights:
Main Stage Performances – Live entertainment featuring local and regional artists, choirs, performers, and student groups
Day of Service – Give back through blood donation with Vitalant and food drives with Mid-South Food Bank
Family Activities – Arts and crafts, learning stations, and youth-centered programming inspired by Dr. King’s principles of justice, equality, and service
Storytelling Hub – Share your reflections on Dr. King’s legacy through video booths, oral history prompts, and collaborative art
Community Resource Pavilion – Connect with civic organizations, health and wellness providers, and service initiatives across Memphis
Food Trucks & Local Vendors – Enjoy the flavors and creativity of Memphis
Our Stories, Our Museum
The National Civil Rights Museum invites you to join us on the 40th MLK Day on January 19 to participate in its “Our Stories, Our Museum”: Storytelling Lounge, a signature feature of King Day 2026, presented in partnership with iHeartMedia. This broadcast and recorded activation will take place from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm in a heated outdoor tent at the top of Founders Park on King Day. The space invites visitors to connect with on-air personalities to record personal reflections, family stories, and perspectives on Dr. King’s legacy, contributing to a growing living archive that will inform future Museum programming and exhibitions.
King Day programming will extend across our entire expanded outdoor campus, including the newly reopened Founders Park, offering expanded capacity for performances, community activities, and public engagement.
Free admission is made possible by the generous support of FedEx, our partner for ten years in making King Day accessible to all. Join us for this historic milestone celebration—a day on, not a day off.
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