2026 MLK Community March and Festival Happening Jan. 19

Date/Time: Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
March Start/End Location: The south steps of the Texas State Capitol and ending at Huston-Tillotson University
Entry: The march and festival are free to the public.
Event Website: mlkcelebration.com

Join the Austin Area Heritage Council and the City of Austin at the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community March and Festival on Monday, Jan. 19. The event celebrates Dr. King's legacy while recognizing Austin's culture and diversity.

Community March Details

The event starts at 9:30 a.m. with a short program at the south steps of the Texas State Capitol. Afterwards, the march begins at the south steps of the Texas State Capitol, proceeds south on East 11th Street and ends at Huston-Tillotson University.

The march is open to anyone wishing to participate and a map of the march route is available for further details.

Community Festival Details

The Huston-Tillotson University campus hosts the free, family-friendly Community Festival portion of the event beginning at 11:00 a.m. Food and merchandise vendors will be on site, as well as an exciting musical lineup throughout the afternoon. Attendees are encouraged to bring food items to donate to the Central Texas Food Bank and receptacles will be available on the festival grounds.

Getting To and From the Event

The MLK Community March and Festival takes place at multiple locations, so consider using CapMetro, CapMetro Bikeshare or a rideshare if you don't anticipate being in the same area all day. Free parking is available for the event at the following locations:

• State Visitors Garage (12th & San Jacinto Street)
• Kealing Middle School (1607 Pennsylvania Avenue)
• Holy Cross Catholic Church (1610 East 11th Street)
• Blackshear Elementary (1712 East 11th Street)
• Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church (1206 East 9th Street)
• Mt. Olive Baptist Church (1800 East 11th Street)
  

Safety and Health Tips at the Event

Austin Police, Austin Fire, and Austin-Travis County EMS work in partnership to create a safe environment in which everyone can enjoy the MLK Community March and Festival and encourage attendees to:

• Remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to 9-1-1.
• Plan for the weather forecast as temperatures may be cold.
• Bring water and wear comfortable shoes as the length of the march is approximately 2.5 miles.
• Stay with your group and have a pre-planned meeting location in case of separation.
• If you're driving in the area of the march, be mindful of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.
• Keep your phone fully charged.
• Download the what3words app to pinpoint and share your location.

Austin Public Health recommends attendees get vaccinated, use hand sanitizer, wash hands often and stay home if you feel sick. Vaccines are available at doctors' offices, pharmacies and Austin Public Health.

About the Austin Area Heritage Council

The mission of the Austin Area Heritage Council is to encourage interest in all cultures represented
in Austin and to celebrate the rich history of Austin. The Heritage Council promotes understanding
and respect among all people by creating and supporting multicultural activities as well as
highlighting the achievements and talents of all members of the community regardless of race or
religion.

About Austin, Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (AACME)

The Austin Center for Events (ACE) is programmed under AACME and is a collaborative assembly of City of Austin departments and agencies designed to streamline special event permitting on public and private property. ACE is anchored by teams from Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment, Austin Transportation and Public Works, Austin Parks and Recreation, Austin Police, Austin Fire, Austin-Travis County EMS, Austin Public Health, Austin Resource Recovery, and partner agencies, and works closely with event organizers to guide them through the special event permitting process.