Monday, January 16, 2023 From: 11:00 AM To 5:00 PM
Every year, Americans celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the third Monday of January. This day is a day of service and reflection on Dr. King’s life and work, honoring his birthday and the impact he had on civil rights and the world. On Monday, January 16, 2023, Miami will commemorate the fallen reverend with the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade & Festivities in Liberty City.
This federal holiday is a time to reflect on the civil rights leader’s life and work, and to honor his legacy. The City of Miami will celebrate the day with a parade and activities, allowing us to remember and appreciate the significant contributions he made to society.
Activities on MLK Day
Miami’s MLK Day Parade & Celebration
Kick off the festivities this MLK Day with Miami’s 46th annual parade! Starting at 11 a.m., the parade will cover 8 miles of Northwest 54th Street (10th-32nd avenues) in Liberty City, tracing the steps Dr. King often walked. You can expect to see high school marching bands, student athletes, dance teams, drill teams, cheerleaders and more, along with floats, cars and fire trucks carrying local politicians, union leaders and activists. To add a Caribbean flair, Carnival dancers will also be taking over the streets for dance and musical performances. Miami’s parade is one of the oldest and largest in the country, having drawn in crowds of over 500,000 in past years.
Family Festival at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park
After the parade, you can continue the celebrations at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park. From noon to 5 p.m., join in the Family Festival to honor, promote, unify and preserve Miami’s vibrant African and Caribbean heritage. This family-friendly event will feature live music and dance performances, cultural programming and theatrical performances, as well as a crafts marketplace selling clothing, books, jewelry, tropical plants, herbs, spices, arts and crafts and more.
At the Jamz Mainstage, international recording artists and top DJs will be playing a variety of genres, such as R&B, soul, jazz, reggae, rap, salsa, merengue, hip-hop and more. The Cultural Stage will host theatrical performances and art exhibitions, while the Children’s Village offers educational and interactive games, sports and arts projects about the legacy of Dr. King. Lastly, the Food Corner has a range of food trucks and grocers serving up soul food, creole and traditional Caribbean and African dishes, such as African falafel, Brazilian espetinhos, Jamaican patties, Haitian griot, Bahamian conch fritters and much more.
Pre-Parade 5K Run & Fitness Walk
On MLK Day, start your morning off by participating in the 5K Run & Fitness Walk, beginning at 8 a.m. at the MLK Plaza Metrorail Station, with registration taking place between 6:30 and 7:45 a.m. Afterwards, gather at 10 a.m. for the unity celebration and community blessing. Leaders from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu faiths, among others, will be present, pledging to continue Dr. King’s work for spiritual and social change through interfaith collaboration.
The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. King was a Baptist minister who first achieved national prominence by leading African Americans in a bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama. He founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and led the 1963 March on Washington, delivering his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. He was instrumental in passing the 1964 Civil Rights Act, becoming a Nobel Peace Prize recipient that same year and significantly aiding the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. His activism and influence are still felt today, with more than 1,000 streets named after him.
On this MLK Day, it’s important to reflect on his life and legacy, and consider how his work has impacted our society today. We can also continue his mission by supporting Black-owned businesses, donating to a local charity, reading up on the social issues that Dr. King championed, and examining how our company and industry can become more diverse, inclusive, and equitable. Ultimately, this holiday is an opportunity to honor Dr. King’s legacy and continue his mission for a better world.
