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MLK Weekend 2026 in New York City: Best Things To Do with Kids

Pay homage to the life and legacy of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. with a celebration at the Brooklyn Children's Museum. Photo by Winston Williams
Pay homage to the life and legacy of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. with a celebration at the Brooklyn Children's Museum. Photo by Winston Williams
1/16/26 - By Drew Kristofik

Looking for the best things to do in New York City this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this long MLK weekend.

The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend in New York City offers plenty of opportunities to honor the man and his mission. Kids can check out the FREE BAM-hosted tribute to the Civil Rights leader, head to the Brooklyn Children's Museum for two days of service, storytelling, and song, salute the Freedom Quilters of Gee's Bend at Wave Hill, or hear a joyful concert courtesy of the Young People's Chorus of NYC.

The long weekend also gives families an extra day to hit Space Glide at NYSCI or register for season-long classes at TADA! Musical Theater.

If you're ready to tackle summer camp, Mommy Poppins is hosting a FREE Winter Festival and Camp Fair on Sunday, February 1, at Atlantic Terminal—register today so we can save you a spot! Expect kid-friendly fun, plus a chance to meet and play with a variety of summer camp providers to find the perfect fit for your city kids!

Looking for even more fun things to do this weekend? Our New York City Events Calendar is packed with great family activities every day of the week—and you can filter by age, location, or even FREE events!

Not receiving our newsletter yet? Subscribe for FREE and get the best local family fun sent straight to your inbox. Already subscribed? Share it with a friend and start planning your weekend together!

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Top Things To Do in NYC this MLK Weekend with Kids

Musical Explorers Family Concert at Carnegie Hall

Midtown West
Saturday, January 17
Discover music from around the world in this popular, interactive concert for children. Performers include American freedom songs with S T A R R busby, vibrant Puerto Rican bomba and plena with Juan Gutiérrez and Julia Gutiérrez-Rivera, and colorful Indian classical music with Grammy Award-winner Falu Shah. READ MORE

Winter Storytime with Cali Co Cat in Bryant Park

Midtown West – FREE
Saturday, January 17
Cali Co Cat hosts a morning of meow-sic and purr-cussion during these winter storytime sessions. Bring your imagination and storytelling skills to enjoy some tales with your favorite feline. READ MORE

Young People’s Chorus of NYC Honors Martin Luther King Jr. at Brick Church

Upper East Side – FREE
Saturday, January 17
The world-renowned Young People’s Chorus of New York City (YPC), joined by Broadway star Nikki Renée Daniels and baritone Lester Lynch, celebrates the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with spiritual and uplifting works that reflect King’s enduring message of unity and shared humanity.   READ MORE

Family Art Project: Freedom Quilters of Gee's Bend at Wave Hill

Riverdale, the Bronx
Saturday, January 17-Sunday, January 18
In 1966, Martin Luther King Jr. visited the Gee’s Bend community in rural Alabama and the Freedom Quilting Bee was established. Create your own brilliant compositions using bountiful squares of fabric scraps to honor King’s birthday and the inspiring women quilters of Gee’s Bend. READ MORE

Family Concert: Falu at the Jewish Museum

Upper East Side
Sunday, January 18
In honor of the artist Anish Kapoor’s artwork on view at the museum, listen to songs from Falu’s albums, A Colorful World and Falu's Bazaar, exploring India’s instruments, animals, spices, and sights to celebrate the vibrant world we share through song.   READ MORE

Bread and Butter Workshop at Historic Richmond Town

Richmond, Staten Island
Sunday, January 18
Historic Richmond Town’s Historical Interpreters teach you how to churn butter and bake bread in the circa 1820 Guyon-Lake-Tysen House kitchen, using historic cookery tools and techniques.  READ MORE

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. at the Brooklyn Children's Museum

Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Sunday, January 18-Monday, January 19
Turn dreams into action with two days of service, storytelling, and song! March with Grammy-nominated musician Fyütch, create shadow puppets, join community service projects, and hear Dr. King's words come to life.  READ MORE

Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Jackie Robinson Museum

Soho
Monday, January 19
Honor the legacy of Dr. King and the fight for civil rights at the Jackie Robinson Museum, where you can learn about Jackie Robinson and Dr. King’s close friendship and their collaboration during landmark campaigns of the Civil Rights Movement.  READ MORE

Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Ethical Culture

Midtown West – FREE
Monday, January 19
MLK Day program brings together music, storytelling, dance, and participatory workshops that invite all ages to listen deeply, move together, and imagine more just futures. READ MORE

Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. at BAM

Boerum Hill, Brooklyn – FREE
Monday, January 19
BAM hosts its 40th annual free Brooklyn tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., and everyone is invited. The celebration brings together artists and civic leaders to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. King.  READ MORE

Painting Outside the Lines at The Met

Upper East Side – FREE
Monday, January 19
Create art inspired by the exhibition The Magical City: George Morrison's New York. Materials are provided. READ MORE

MLK’s Peace Parade at the Children's Museum of Manhattan

Upper West Side
Through Monday, January 19
Make art that honors voices for change, inspired by the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., and participate in a day of service on the holiday. READ MORE

TADA! Winter/Spring Classes Begin

Chelsea
Classes begin January 20
TADA's Winter/Spring musical theater programs for students ages 4-14 begin. Classes are designed to nurture creativity, confidence, and collaboration, spark a lifelong interest in the performing arts, and offer students the tools to shine on stage and in life.  READ MORE

Space Glide at the NY Hall of Science

Corona, Queens
Through Sunday, February 22
Glide into the Galaxy at Space Glide, the indoor winter rink at the New York Hall of Science. Blast off into wonder as gliding transforms your outing into an intergalactic adventure! Perfect for the adventurous astronaut, Space Glide combines the thrill of sliding with the awe of space exploration.  READ MORE
Soar over the East River for an only-in-NY photo-op aboard the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGov
Soar over the East River for an only-in-NY photo-op aboard the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGov

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When the flakes fly, Central Park is full of great sledding hills! Photo by Jody Mercier
When the flakes fly, Central Park is full of great sledding hills! Photo by Jody Mercier

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Places featured in this article:

About the Author

Drew Kristofik
Drew Kristofik’s career took a twist from editing teen magazines to a seven-year stint at MacNeil/Lehrer, followed by a long run at Nickelodeon/Viacom as Director of Content for Nick Online and Editor-in-Chief of ParentsConnect.com. A founding member of the Webby Award-winning GoCityKids, she’s written for Family Fun, Vanity Fair, and New York. Her middle school novel, The Time Boat, is available on Amazon Kindle. Drew keeps the MommyPoppins New York Events calendar spot-on and can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.
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