How to get involved in Philly’s 2026 MLK Day of Service – Jan 19
Posted by WHYY on January 13, 2026
In 2026, against the backdrop of yearlong semiquincentennial celebrations, the U.S. will mark its 31st annual MLK Day of Service.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day was born out of federal legislation co-authored by Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Harris Wofford and Atlanta Congressman John Lewis.
What started in 1996 in Philadelphia with 1,000 volunteers has grown into a “day on” with hundreds of thousands of volunteers across the country. Philly remains home to what organizers call the nation’s largest MLK Day event.
Here’s a look at how the city will be marking the federal holiday this year.
How will Philly mark MLK Day 2026?
On Monday, January 19, Temple University will act as the Philly region’s volunteer hub for the first time in more than 15 years.
This year, the Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service theme will be the commitment to civil rights through equity and education.
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