Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events Across the State

The impactful life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be celebrated across Oklahoma for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 20. Parades in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Ardmore and others will be followed by speakers and memorials for the famed civil rights leader, while other cities and organizations are planning their own remembrances.

Ardmore - The parade starts at P Street in downtown Ardmore and ends at the HFV Wilson Community Center, where a celebration is planned.

Guthrie - The Guthrie Ministerial Alliance presents the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade at 10 a.m. at the Scottish Rite Temple, heading west to Oklahoma Avenue to the railroad tracks. At the end of the parade is a balloon release, followed by a free luncheon at Generations Church, 2524 West Noble Avenue.

Midwest City - The Twenty-third Annual Midwest City Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast is from 7-9 a.m. at the Reed Conference Center. Tickets are $15 in advance.

Muskogee - The day begins with the free DREAM TEAM Pancake Breakfast from 7-11 a.m., though donations are encouraged. An hour-long worship service begins at 9 a.m. and the parade starts at noon, including a car show. The parade after party, including food trucks, live music, and vendors runs from 1-3 p.m.

Norman Mayor's Interfaith Breakfast - Mayor Breea Clark and the Norman Human Rights Commission honor the legacy of Dr. King during the interfaith breakfast at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church starting at 8 a.m., including a keynote speech by Dr. Charles A. Kimball and a presentation from the Inclusive Community Subcommittee. The breakfast is free and open to the public, but reservations are required by emailing sarah.encinias@normanok.gov.

Norman MLK Celebration Concert - The Norman Philharmonic with the Richard Zielinski Singers, OU combined choirs, and community chorus will explore the music of composer Rosephanye Dunn Powell. The Philharmonic presents Powell's The Cry of Jeremiah, a four-movement sacred work for narrator, chorus, organ, and orchestra. The event also features guest speakers and an audience sing-along of civil rights songs, hymns, and popular music reminding us of the mission and dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tickets are $5-$10.

Oklahoma City - The Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade begins at 2 p.m. at the corner of Northwest Sixth Street and North Walker Avenue and continues south to Reno Avenue.

Oklahoma City Bryant Center Brunch - Enjoy brunch from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at The Bryant Center before the Oklahoma City Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade. Tickets are $7-$12.

Oklahoma City Myriad Botanical Gardens - Before the parade, the free Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at the Myriad Botanical Gardens runs from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Park House Event Center. It’s an all-ages event beginning with performances by DWe Williams and the Ebony Voices and a special reading of “I Have A Dream” by Anita Arnold. Head over to the Myriad Botanical Gardens Visitor Center at 11:30 a.m. for food by Mamas Brown Suga food truck, live art demonstrations by local artists Jasmine Jones and Lawrence Naff, local artisan vendors, and a chance to create unique crafts. It’s within easy walking distance of the parade.

Stillwater - A Unity March begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Stillwater Public Library—warm dress recommended. At 7 p.m. at the Stillwater Community Center, community members will gather to reflect on the life and legacy of King, with speakers State Representative Trish Ranson and Adam Soltani, executive director for the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Music will be provided by a community choir, followed by a complimentary reception with cake, punch, and cookies.

Tulsa - The events begin with a Founder's Day Breakfast from 8-10 a.m. at First Baptist Church North Tulsa (Guests should use the Oklahoma Street entrance). Following the breakfast, the 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Parade begins at 11 a.m. at the corner of Detroit Avenue and John Hope Franklin Boulevard, proceeding east to Greenwood, south through the Greenwood Business District to Archer Street, then west to Elgin Avenue.

Written By

Greg Elwell

Greg Elwell served as research editor and web editor of Oklahoma Today from 2018-2023. He also has worked for newspapers, medical research organizations, and government institutions.