Downtown Pensacola is coming together today to honor the life, legacy, and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as the 37th Annual MLK Day Parade steps off at 11 a.m. Monday, January 19, 2026, at the intersection of Spring and Garden Streets.
This year’s theme “With Unity, We Won’t Turn Back” feels especially fitting. More than a parade, this event has long been known as “the people’s parade,” a tradition rooted in community pride, shared history, and forward momentum. What began in 1987 with just a small group of dedicated organizers has grown into one of Pensacola’s largest and most meaningful annual gatherings, drawing thousands of participants and spectators downtown each year.
One of the things that makes Pensacola’s MLK Parade uniquely our own is its Mardi Gras-style energy. Colorful floats, decorated vehicles, school groups, churches, civic organizations, local businesses, and elected leaders fill the route, each adding their own creative interpretation of Dr. King’s message. The result is a celebration that’s joyful and vibrant while still grounded in purpose: unity, justice, equality, and hope…