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I have a dream_MLKSB logo with City of Santa Barbara Seal on a background of the American flag
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MLK Weekend Events 2026

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The Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara (MLKSB) hosts annual events in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This year’s theme references Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s address The Birth of a New Age, delivered on August 11, 1956, in which he stated, “leaders not in love with money but in love with justice; not in love with publicity but in love with humanity,” encouraging the community to explore how acts of service embody true greatness. The City supports MLKSB’s mission to bring greater awareness to the community by highlighting some of their upcoming events.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated on the third Monday in January, close to his birthday on January 15. The legislation to recognize Martin Luther King Day was first introduced in 1968, four days after his assassination. Civil rights activists worked for 15 years for it to be established by the federal government and an additional 17 years for it to be recognized by all 50 states. Today, it is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer and improve their communities. (Source: Smithsonian)

Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech at the 1963 March on Washington, photographs, and additional archives are available at Smithsonian - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Eternal Flame Event
Thursday, January 15 
Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Buchanan Hall Lawn, Eternal Flame (University of California, Santa Barbara)

Martin Luther King, Jr, Essay and Poetry Program Student Awarded Reading
Friday, January 16
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 
B'nai B'rith (1000 San Antonio Creek Rd.)

Ring Shout
Saturday, January 17
11:00 a.m.
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church (909 N La Cumbre Rd.)

MLK/FBI Film Screening
Saturday, January 17
3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Community Environmental Council (1219 State St.)

MLK Day Unity March
Monday, January 19
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Keynote Speaker Leah Weber King at 11:00 a.m.
De La Guerra Plaza to the Arlington Theater

For more events and information, visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara

About the Martin Luther King Junior, Committee of Santa Barbara:
The mission of the Martin Luther King Junior, Committee of Santa Barbara, is to foster positive relationships between the many diverse groups in the Santa Barbara community and the surrounding areas; to sponsor programs and events, which exemplify the teachings of Dr. King; and to observe, and celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.