Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy are celebrated with a national holiday on the third Monday of January. However, many people honor the Civil Rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner before and/or after this date, especially in Queens. A list of local MLK Jr. Day activities follows.
Museum of the Moving Image
Chisholm ’72: Unbought and Unbossed
This 2004 documentary follows Shirley Chisholm, who was the first black woman elected to Congress. From there, the Brooklyn Democrat sought her party’s presidential nomination.
Two screenings: Jan. 17 at 5:15 pm and Jan. 20 at 2 pm
36-01 35th Ave., Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District
MLK Jr. Family Day 2025
A free talk about conflict resolution co-presented by Urban Upbound, tours, a scavenger hunt, animation, and digital media-making activities.
Jan. 19 at 2 pm
36-01 35th Ave., Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District
Kupferberg Center for the Arts
Branford Marsalis Quartet
NEA Jazz Master and three-time Grammy-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis presents original compositions along with popular classics, all supercharged by his quartet’s energy and telepathic musical connection.
On Jan. 19, the special program includes a recognition ceremony and keynote address at 3 pm, followed by the concert at 4 pm
Queens College, Colden Auditorium, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing
Queens Museum
Family Day: Civil Rights Movement
Using photography and collage, families work with local artists to explore the Civil Rights movement and produce posters and images inspired by the World’s Fair collection and A Billion Dollar Dream. A scavenger hunt and a movie screening are included.
Jan. 18 at 1 pm
NYC Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Idlewild Environmental Service Center
MLK Jr. Day of Service
Volunteer with the Eastern Queens Alliance and NYC Parks to maintain Idlewild’s Trails.
Jan. 20 at 10 am
222-02 149th Ave., Springfield Gardens
Queens Public Library
A Gospel Celebration
The East Coast Inspirational Singers ensemble performs traditional and contemporary Gospel, R&B, Jazz, and Blues.
Jan. 18 at 2 pm
Far Rockaway Branch, 1637 Central Ave.
Gates of Equality
A captivating journey through MLK Jr.’s life and legacy inspired by his speeches and writings. Discover the words and wisdom that shaped a movement and continue to inspire change today. For audiences of all ages.
Jan. 22 at 4 pm
East Elmhurst Branch, 95-06 Astoria Blvd.
Dream to Read
A learning activity about MLK Jr.’s dream.
Jan. 25 at 2 pm
Rosedale Branch, 144-20 243rd St.
Editor’s note: All Queens Public Library locations will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20, in observance of MLK Jr. Day.
Image: Library of Congress