ALEXANDRIA, VA – Alexandria invites residents of all ages to come together for the 53rd Anniversary Community Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday, themed “Dawn of Justice & Hope.” The free public event will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the historic George Washington Masonic National Memorial, beginning with a welcome reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by the main program from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Advance registration is requested at drkingmemorialprogram.org.
Hosted by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Planning Committee, the evening will feature uplifting music, dance, and poetry, along with reflections from a diverse group of clergy, honored guests, and local dignitaries. The program is designed to be inclusive, family-friendly, and accessible to the entire community.
“This celebration is a moment for Alexandria to pause, reflect, and come together,” said a member of the Memorial Planning Committee. “Dr. King’s message of justice and hope remains deeply relevant, and this evening is about honoring that legacy while inspiring positive action in our community today.”
A Tradition Rooted in Alexandria
Alexandria’s annual MLK birthday observance dates back to 1973, when civic leader and activist Alice P. Morgan initiated the city’s first memorial program honoring Dr. King. The effort was endorsed by then-Mayor Charles Beatley, launching the tradition more than a decade before Dr. King’s birthday became a federal holiday…