MoAD Free Museum Day on MLK Day 2026 (SF)

Museum of the African Diaspora

MoAD will celebrate the national observance of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday as a Day of Service, providing free admission to the museum and programs throughout the day. Through art, performance and music, our special guests will help us reflect on the importance of protest, creativity and diverse communities.‍

Prescott Circus Theater will delight people of all ages in front of the museum, Mahealani Uchiyama will enlighten us about the connections between Dr. King and the movement for indigenous rights in Hawaii, and the legendary Glide Memorial Ensemble will perform freedom songs. A family art activity and gallery scavenger hunt connect families to our current exhibitions—UNBOUND: Art, Blackness & the Universe and Continuum: MoAD Over Time.

Come together to celebrate the life and achievements of one of our nation’s greatest heroes.

2026 Schedule

FREE ADMISSION ALL DAY

Sidewalk
11:00am–2:00pm
‍Prescott Circus performers from Prescott Elementary in West Oakland will dazzle you with their stilt-walking and interactive performance

Sidewalk Chalk Art
1:00pm–4:00pm

‍MoAD Salon
12:00-12:30pm & 1:00-1:30pm
Māhealani Uchiyama, award-winning dancer, musician, choreographer, author and teacher will delight us with the connections between Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Civil Rights Movement and the fight for Indigenous rights in Hawaii. The program will culminate in a short performance of Uchiyama’s tribute to Dr. King.

The Glide Ensemble
2:00-2:45pm & 3:00-3:45pm
The Glide Ensemble, the legendary choir from Glide Memorial Church, will perform freedom songs in honor of Dr. King.

Third Floor
11:30am–4:00pm
Family Art Activity with Nicole Dixon

Exhibition Galleries
Engage all ages with a gallery scavenger hunt! Receive a prize when the hunt is complete.

• UNBOUND: Art, Blackness & the Universe
• Continuum: MoAD Over Time

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.