Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a time to reflect on Dr. King’s life and legacy, and Connecticut has a wealth of events to help you do just that.
From art and music to community service projects, these events will honor Dr. King’s message of equality, justice, and peace.
To help you find a way to celebrate in your area, we’ve put together a guide to the top MLK Day events in Connecticut for 2025.
2025 MLK Day Events in Connecticut
Yale Peabody Museum: 29th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy of Social & Environmental Justice
Date: Monday, January 20, 2025 | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Yale Peabody Museum, 170 Whitney Ave, New Haven, CT
Join the Yale Peabody Museum, the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the New Haven Museum for a full day of free events including poetry, musical and choral performances, kid-friendly crafts, food trucks, and more. This annual celebration honors Dr. King’s legacy and will feature activities for the entire family. Admission is free and open to the public.
Ridgefield Playhouse: 29th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration
Date: Monday, January 20, 2025 | 3:00 pm
Location: Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT
Ridgefield hosts its 29th Annual MLK Day Celebration, honoring Dr. King’s legacy with an awards ceremony, community speakers, and musical performances. This year, the Spirit of Dr. King Community Service Award will be presented to A.C.T. of Connecticut’s Artistic Director Daniel C. Levine. The Ridgefield Chorale, SPHERE, and A.C.T. of CT Youth Choir will also perform, making it a moving and inspiring community event.
Bruce Museum: Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Acts of Community Service for Animals – Fun Fur All
Date: Monday, January 20, 2025 | 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Dr, Greenwich, CT
Celebrate Dr. King’s Day by helping animal friends! Explore art and science exhibits, engage in hands-on activities, and learn about how wild animals survive the winter. Admission is free for those under 18, thanks to the generosity of John and Barbara Kavanagh.
Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras: MLK Day Concert – Virtuosi Strings Perform
Date: Monday, January 20, 2025 | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Location: Klein Auditorium, Bridgeport, CT
Attend a special concert by the Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras as they pay tribute to Dr. King. The performance will feature live music, dance, and spoken-word performances, with the Virtuosi Strings led by Ms. Britney Alcine. The event is free, and doors open at 1:30 pm.
New Britain Museum of Art: Access for All Community Day
Date: Monday, January 20, 2025 | 11:00 am
Location: New Britain Museum of Art, New Britain, CT
Join the New Britain Museum for a full day of programs centered on Dr. King’s message. Activities include art-making, interactive music and dance performances, poetry writing workshops, and youth presentations. The theme of the day is “The Power of Words,” with free admission for all.
Wakeman Town Farm: MLK Day Farm Camp
Date: Monday, January 20, 2025 | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Wakeman Town Farm, Westport, CT
Wakeman Town Farm offers a special camp for children ages 6-11 on MLK Day. Campers will enjoy farm activities, cooking lessons, nature-based crafts, and outdoor exploration. A hearty, nut-free snack is required.
Museum of Contemporary Art Connecticut: MLK Jr. Day Recess Art Camps
Date: Monday, January 20, 2025 | 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Location: Museum of Contemporary Art, Connecticut
MOCA offers two sessions for creative kids: a morning session for Nursery through 1st graders and a full-day session for Kindergarten through 5th graders. Activities include arts and crafts, creative fun, and exploration of art. Participants should bring a nut-free snack and lunch. This is a great idea if you’re looking for something to do with kids on MLK Day.
Ferguson Library: MLK Day Documentary Screening: Two Societies
Date: Monday, January 20, 2025 | 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
In honor of Dr. King, the Ferguson Library will screen Eyes on the Prize episode “Two Societies,” which covers the civil rights movement’s northern campaign, King’s efforts in Chicago, and the urban uprisings in Detroit. The documentary is a moving look at the struggle for equality during the 1960s.
Stepping Stones Museum for Children: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Date: Monday, January 20, 2025 | All Day
Location: Stepping Stones Museum for Children, Norwalk, CT
Celebrate Dr. King’s legacy through interactive storytelling, music, and hands-on activities. Children will create artistic works showcasing their dreams for a better world while learning how they can use their voices to make a difference.
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art: Martin Luther King Jr. Community Day
Date: Monday, January 20, 2025 | All Day
Location: Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford, CT
Enjoy free admission all day to the museum, with local artists, musicians, and dancers reflecting on Dr. King’s vision of justice and equality. The Salt & Pepper Gospel Singers will perform, adding a soulful element to the celebration.
The Baldwin Center: MLK Day Program
Date: Monday, January 20, 2025 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: The Baldwin Center, Stratford, CT
This event includes seven artistic breakout workshops focused on equality, justice, and service, all framed through the lens of Kingian Nonviolence. Workshops include storytelling, art, film screenings, and discussions. Students can earn service hours by attending.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Children’s March for Peace
Date: Saturday, January 25, 2025 | 12:00 pm
Location: St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Cheshire, CT
The MLK Children’s March for Peace will elevate the voices of youth and inspire peace and unity. The march will be followed by a ceremony, ringing bells to honor Dr. King’s legacy and reflect on his vision for a more just society.
Westport Country Playhouse: Free Screening of “King in the Wilderness”
Date: Monday, January 20, 2025 | 7:00 pm
Location: Westport Country Playhouse, Westport, CT
In recognition of MLK Day, Westport Country Playhouse will host a free screening of King in the Wilderness, a documentary about the final years of Dr. King’s life. This Emmy Award-winning film captures Dr. King’s struggle for peace and equality.
Niantic Children’s Museum: Kindness Rocks – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Date: Monday, January 20, 2025 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: Niantic Children’s Museum, Niantic, CT
Join the museum for a fun activity to honor Dr. King’s message of kindness. Paint your own kindness rock and spread the message of love and unity. Free with museum admission.
Fairfield Museum: MLK Day Activities
Date: Monday, January 20, 2025 | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Fairfield Museum, Fairfield, CT
Celebrate Dr. King’s legacy through a variety of interactive activities, including Native American games, colonial games, and board games. The Fairfield Museum offers free admission for the day, making it an excellent opportunity for family fun.
Final Thoughts
Connecticut has a ton of great events to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2025, from music and art to community service and educational programs.
If you know of any other MLK Day events in Connecticut that we’ve left off, please drop a comment below so we can add them to our list.
