Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on January 16, 2012 in Washington, D.C. will be even more special this year. In October, The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial was dedicated after many years of planning. This will be a great time for families to experience what Martin Luther King Jr. fought to teach our country and the lessons we have learned as a consequence of him. It is a day of honor and there will be many wonderful events around D.C. commemorating his birthday.

Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
Parade begins: Friendship Public Charter School
645 Milwaukee Place, S.E.
Washington, DC 20032
Start time: 11 a.m.

Parade ends: Leckie Elementary School
4201 M.L. King Ave. SW
Washington, DC 20032
Phone: (877) 576-5421
www.mlkholidayparadedc.org 

While there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy great food and have a splendid time, one highlight not to miss for your family will be the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Parade.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2700 F St., NW
Washington, DC 20566
Phone: (202) 467-4600
Price: Free
www.kennedy-center.org

Enjoy a free concert “Let Freedom Ring” at the Millennium Stage located at the Kennedy Center. This concert is an annual event hosted by The Kennedy Center and Georgetown University. “Let Freedom Ring” will showcase musical tributes ranging from celebrity performers to the Let Freedom Ring Celebration Choir. Tickets will be available at the concert hall on the day of the event.

National Museum of American History
14th St. and Constitution Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20560
Phone: (202) 633-3030
Hours: Daily; 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Jan. 15th & 16th;
10 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Price: Free
www.americanhistory.si.edu

Venture downtown Washington to The National Museum of American History (NAMH). They will host a Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Family Festival. This fun-loving event will include the interactive play, Student Sit-ins, songs from the Freedom Singers, Freedom Riders Roundtable and many more educational activities to celebrate.

The Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial
900 Ohio Drive, S.W.
Washington, DC 20024
Phone: (202) 426-6841
www.nps.gov

Plan on visiting the Lincoln Memorial to listen to a local school recite “I Have a Dream” speech and watch the National Park Service place a wreath on the historical steps where the speech was first given.

Strathmore
5301 Tuckerman Lane
North Bethesda, MD 20852
Phone: (301) 581-5100
Price: Free
www.strathmore.org

Consider celebrating with musical and dance performance at the Music Center at Strathmore. There will be tributes from local and nationally acclaimed artists. This event is free and open to the public but tickets are required.

Related: 2011 Peace Walk in photos.

Carly Mannava is a freelance writer living in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.