ARTICLE
The City of Lakeland and community partners are hosting a series of events throughout January to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s Dream MegaFest highlights the theme “A Legacy of Strength, A Future of Actions” and includes service projects, cultural programming, youth engagement, and the annual parade. Scheduled Events Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. MLK Day of Caring Kickoff Event Location: Children’s Museum Focus: Community Service & Youth Engagement Sunday, January 11, 2026 @ 3:00 p.m. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Gospel Explosion Location: New Bethel A.M.E. Church Wednesday, January 14, 2026 @ 6:00 p.m. MLK Community Event Location: The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art Friday, January 16, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m. Rev. Dr. MLK Jr. Grand Marshal Gala Location: Lake Crago Recreation Center Presented by: Rev. Dr. MLK Commission of Lakeland Honorees: King & Queen Mr. Sylvester Little & Ms. Lasha Speed Saturday, January 17, 2026 @ 1:00 p.m. 48th Annual Rev. Dr. MLK Jr. Community Parade Route Begins at Providence Rd. and West 14th St. / Ends at MLK Ave. and 2nd St. Saturday, January 17, 2026 @ 3:00 p.m. MLK Weekend Car Show Location: Tiger Town Hosted by: Dietta’s Babies Monday, January 19, 2026 @ 9:00 a.m. IMA Prayer Breakfast Location: Dream Center Thursday, January 22, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m. Rev. Dr. MLK Jr. Oratorical Contest Location: New Mt. Zion M.B. Church Saturday, January 24, 2026 @ 6:00 p.m. MLK Weekend Close-Out Event Location: The Well Hosted by: MLK Commission, Parade Coordinators, Lakeland Police Department & City of Lakeland All events and activities are free and open to the public. Approved vendor and educational fundraising opportunities will be available. For more information: 863-734-9277
The City of Lakeland and community partners are hosting a series of events throughout January to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s Dream MegaFest highlights the theme “A Legacy of Strength, A Future of Actions” and includes service projects, cultural programming, youth engagement, and the annual parade.
Scheduled Events
Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. MLK Day of Caring Kickoff Event Location: Children’s Museum Focus: Community Service & Youth Engagement
Sunday, January 11, 2026 @ 3:00 p.m. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Gospel Explosion Location: New Bethel A.M.E. Church
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 @ 6:00 p.m. MLK Community Event Location: The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art
Friday, January 16, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m. Rev. Dr. MLK Jr. Grand Marshal Gala Location: Lake Crago Recreation Center Presented by: Rev. Dr. MLK Commission of Lakeland Honorees: King & Queen Mr. Sylvester Little & Ms. Lasha Speed
Saturday, January 17, 2026 @ 1:00 p.m. 48th Annual Rev. Dr. MLK Jr. Community Parade Route Begins at Providence Rd. and West 14th St. / Ends at MLK Ave. and 2nd St.
Saturday, January 17, 2026 @ 3:00 p.m. MLK Weekend Car Show Location: Tiger Town Hosted by: Dietta’s Babies
Monday, January 19, 2026 @ 9:00 a.m. IMA Prayer Breakfast Location: Dream Center
Thursday, January 22, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m. Rev. Dr. MLK Jr. Oratorical Contest Location: New Mt. Zion M.B. Church
Saturday, January 24, 2026 @ 6:00 p.m. MLK Weekend Close-Out Event Location: The Well Hosted by: MLK Commission, Parade Coordinators, Lakeland Police Department & City of Lakeland
All events and activities are free and open to the public. Approved vendor and educational fundraising opportunities will be available. For more information: 863-734-9277