COLUMBIA, S.C. — Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day set aside to honor and remember the life and legacy of the civil rights activist. Events are planned for the days leading up to MLK Day that are free and open to the public. If you cannot attend the events, you may wish to get involved in the Here is a sample of Columbia-area events:
House Music MLK Weekend 2025, 5 p.m. to midnight, Friday through Sunday, Jan. 17-19, VFW Post 641, 534 S. Beltline Blvd. Three days of music and dancing presented by House Music South Carolina/CHMPSC.com. Limited seating. Maracas, cowbells and baby powder are welcome. Naeem Johnson and DJs Brian Pope, Kelly Kel, Paul Howard and Katt in the Hat.
FAAAC Presents: The Movement, 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St. This evening of spoken word, neo-soul, and R&B, presented by Friends of African American Arts and Culture (FAAAC), will feature performances by She Pharaoh, Crystal Doomes, and Jennifer Bartell Boykin. Light snacks and a cash bar will be available. Tickets are $55 for the public and $35 for FAAAC members.
MLK Celebration 5K Fitness Walk/Run, 9 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 18, MLK Park, 2300 Greene St. Sign up at Strictly Running (2515 Devine St.) to participate in the family-friendly walk/run through the Five Points/Shandon neighborhood.
MLK Day of Service 2025: PB&J Sandwich-making competition, 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, sign-in, Davis Field next to the Russell House, 1400 Greene St. on the USC campus. The competition is from 9:30 a.m. to noon (or until supplies run out). Bring peanut butter, jelly, and sliced bread donations and compete to see how many sandwiches you can make during the allotted time or watch and enjoy the action. All sandwiches will be distributed to local hunger-relief organizations, including the 153 Project, Transitions Homeless Center, and the Washington Street Soup Kitchen.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the CMA noon, Monday, Jan. 20, Columbia Museum of Art. The museum will offer free admission and special MLK Day programming, including FAAAC Presents: A Storytelling Celebration with line dancing at Boyd Plaza from noon to 3 p.m. and storytelling from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
King Day at the Dome, 8 a.m. prayer service Monday, Jan. 20, at Zion Baptist Church, 801 Washington St.; 10 a.m. rally at SC State House on Gervais and Main. The South Carolina NAACP hosts this annual event in honor of the organization’s longstanding advocacy for civil rights. This year’s keynote speaker is Democratic National Committee Chair Jamie Harrison. NOTE: There will be a clear bag policy for this event, so leave your purses, fanny packs, backpacks, totes and duffle bags in the car.
MLK Day: Where do we go from here? 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 20, Chappell Memorial African American Methodist Episcopal Church, 1101 Pine St. This year’s featured speaker is Reverend and South Carolina Senator Darrell Jackson.
The City of Columbia Martin Luther King Jr Commemoration Service, 3:06 p.m. wreath-laying ceremony at the corner of Harden and Greene streets; 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, Martin Luther King Jr Park, 2300 Greene St. Columbia College President Dr. John H. Dozier will serve as the keynote speaker for the event, which also includes Columbia City Council members and Parks and Recreation officials.