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SF Celebrates MLK Day 2021

Celebrate MLK Day volunteering, protesting, learning, exploring a National Park and more
By - posted 1/18/2021 No Comment

San Francisco celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day, albeit a little bit differently in 2021.

A few of the usual annual events unfortunately won’t be taking place this year like the Martin Luther King, Jr. Labor & Community Breakfast, the MLK2021 Commemorative March and the commemorative transit which provides free transit to the march, but there’s still plenty of inspiring programming to commemorate the holiday from NorcalMLK Foundation.

Plus, the National Parks offer their first fee free day of the year, volunteer your time for a Day of Service, join a Car Caravan, or see City Hall light up for the occasion and more.

2021 SF MLK Day Programming

2021 King & Faith Series goes virtual with a set of programs designed to inspire contemplation of two primary concepts central to Dr. King’s message, justice and hope, January 17, 18, 21.

The Black & Brown Comix Arts Festival(BCAF) celebrates the creativity of people of color in the comic arts and popular visual culture. NorcalMLK’s BCAF is brought in partnership with the San Francisco Public Library. BCAF2021|Virtual will bring over 20 virtual programs and activities for all ages, January 16-18.

MLK2021 Health and Wellness Festival will present a set of virtual programs designed to promote mental health, in partnership with the San Francisco Chapter of the Links, Inc, January 16-18.

Liberation Film Screenings (January 16-18) – A partnership with California Newsreel, 2021 marks the eleventh annual program of human interest and civil rights documentaries and conversations. For MLK2021, join our partner, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute, in the, Where Do We Go From Here? | Documentary Film Festival, beginning Friday, January 15.

MLK2021 Music Festival (January 18) – Join us as the hit show, I Remember That Song headlines the MLK2021 virtual music festival with two shows celebrating our MLK2021 themes “Justice” and “Hope”. The MLK Music Festival is a partnership with Yerba Buena Gardens Festival.

Plus on Monday, January 18, join as SF Mlk Day presents their virtual MLK2021 program full of activities, special guests, and commemorations reflecting Justice and Hope in 2021.

Activism Events

MONDAY, January 18 – MLK DAY


Tuesday, January 14

Special Noontime Concert Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (SF)
Tuesday, January 14 – 12:30 pm - Ends at 1:30 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free for all to enjoy and celebrate MLK birthday
| Old St. Mary's Cathedral
Special Noontime Concert Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (SF)
Noontime Concerts & The NorCal Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Foundation announce a special concert honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Noontime Concerts & NorCal MLK Foundation have announced the launch of  MLK Celebration Week with a powerful concert dedicated to honoring the ...

Friday, January 17

SF’s “Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service” 2025 Volunteering Weekend (Jan. 17-20 )
Friday, January 17 – 8:30 am - Ends at 1:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*RSVP Required
| All Over the Bay Area
SF's "Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service" 2025 Volunteering Weekend (Jan. 17-20 )

Take part in this National Day of Service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Join us in January to make MLK Day a “day on, not a day off”. We’ll be celebrating the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy all weekend with volunteer ...

2025 SF’s MLK Weekend of Service (Jan. 17-20)
Friday, January 17 – 9:00 am | Cost: FREE*
*Registration Required
| Golden Gate National Recreation Area
2025 SF's MLK Weekend of Service (Jan. 17-20)
Join us in January to make MLK Day a “day on, not a day off”. We’ll be celebrating the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy all weekend with volunteer and engagement programs from Friday, January 17 – Monday, January 20, 2025. From park maintenance to habitat restoration, service work to guided walks ...

Saturday, January 18

SF’s “Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service” 2025 Volunteering Weekend (Jan. 17-20 )
Saturday, January 18 – 8:30 am - Ends at 1:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*RSVP Required
| All Over the Bay Area
SF's "Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service" 2025 Volunteering Weekend (Jan. 17-20 )

Take part in this National Day of Service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Join us in January to make MLK Day a “day on, not a day off”. We’ll be celebrating the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy all weekend with volunteer ...

Sunday, January 19

SF’s “Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service” 2025 Volunteering Weekend (Jan. 17-20 )
Sunday, January 19 – 8:30 am - Ends at 1:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*RSVP Required
| All Over the Bay Area
SF's "Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service" 2025 Volunteering Weekend (Jan. 17-20 )

Take part in this National Day of Service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Join us in January to make MLK Day a “day on, not a day off”. We’ll be celebrating the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy all weekend with volunteer ...

Monday, January 20

SF’s MLK Jr Day 2025 Festivals & Marches (Jan. 13-20)
Monday, January 20 – 8:00 am - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Mostly free but check the links for ticket purchase
| All Over San Francisco
SF's MLK Jr Day 2025 Festivals & Marches (Jan. 13-20)
The NorcalMLK Foundation announces the events for the 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. The Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Foundation has announced the events for the 2025 Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. “We are excited about our celebration events for MLK2025. Our ...
MLK 2025 Celebration Train: Free Caltrain & BART Rides to SF’s MLK Day Festival
Monday, January 20 – 8:30 am - Ends at 11:00 am | Cost: FREE | All Over the Bay Area
MLK 2025 Celebration Train: Free Caltrain & BART Rides to SF's MLK Day Festival
Each year the Foundation partners with local and regional transportation agencies to provide commemorative transportation to and from the celebration events. The NorcalMLK Foundation’s MLK Transportation Program, in collaboration with Bay Area transit systems including Caltrain, BART SFMTA, and Golden Gate Ferries, is a vital initiative ...
SF’s “Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service” 2025 Volunteering Weekend (Jan. 17-20 )
Monday, January 20 – 8:30 am - Ends at 1:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*RSVP Required
| All Over the Bay Area
SF's "Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service" 2025 Volunteering Weekend (Jan. 17-20 )

Take part in this National Day of Service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Join us in January to make MLK Day a “day on, not a day off”. We’ll be celebrating the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy all weekend with volunteer ...

SF’s Annual MLK Day March & Parade Over the Bridge (2025)
Monday, January 20 – 11:00 am | Cost: FREE*
*Participants in groups of ten or more (10+) are encouraged to register.
| San Francisco Caltrain Station
SF's Annual MLK Day March & Parade Over the Bridge (2025)
Thousands honor the Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery, Alabama marches and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by experiencing the MLK2025 commemorative march/parade from San Francisco’s Caltrain Station to Yerba Buena Gardens. The 2025 MLK March is a poignant and symbolic journey that pays homage to the ...
MoAD Free Museum Day on MLK Day 2025 (SF)
Monday, January 20 – 11:00 am - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Museum of the African Diaspora
MoAD Free Museum Day on MLK Day 2025 (SF)

MoAD, a contemporary art museum, celebrates Black cultures, ignites challenging conversations, and inspires learning through the global lens of the African Diaspora. Starting March 2025 Temporary Closure for Building Upgrades  MoAD will be closing to the public temporarily in 2025 to upgrade items in our ...Monthly

2025 MLK Jr. Day Music Festival at Yerba Buena Gardens (SF)
Monday, January 20 – 1:00 pm - Ends at 3:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Yerba Buena Gardens (Esplanade)
2025 MLK Jr. Day Music Festival at Yerba Buena Gardens (SF)
The MLK2025 Music Festival celebrates its fourteenth year, featuring Grammy Award-winning artists and performers on the Esplanade Stage at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens. The NorcalMLK Foundation’s MLK Music Festival is a spectacular celebration of artistry, culture, and unity that takes center stage during our annual ...

Saturday, February 15

Black History Month Joy Fest at South SF (2025)
Saturday, February 15 – 1:00 am - Ends at 2:30 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free and open to the public
| South San Francisco Public Library
Black History Month Joy Fest at South SF (2025)
Celebrate Black History Month with Joy Fest Saturday, February 15, 2025 | 1pm-2pm 1:00 PM – Lyrical Joy (Adults) Opening and Black History Month message by Mayor Eddie Flores. Hosted by J. R. Rice, MC, spoken word artist, teacher, and author of Broken Pencils. Musical selections by BB ...