11th Annual Dr. King Celebration Weekend

About this event

MLK Saratoga's annual Dr. King Celebration Weekend kicks off Friday January 16 and runs through the official holiday on Monday January 19. This year’s theme is Dr. King’s quote, “Love is the greatest force in the universe; it is the heartbeat of the moral cosmos.”

This sentiment reflects Dr. King’s belief that unconditional, active love is the most powerful force for justice and human transformation. He taught that this transcendent love is not sentimental or weak, but a strong, practical, world-changing power capable of breaking cycles of hatred and turning enemies into friends. The line comes from a note he once wrote explaining the meaning of love, echoing themes from his 1963 book of sermons: Strength to Love, where he frames love as the foundation of nonviolent resistance. Ultimately, King saw love as the moral center of the universe and the essential path to a just and humane world.

Friday night, 1/16:

• 5:30-7:30 p.m. MLK Saratoga and Skidmore College Present: The Inaugural MLK Weekend Celebration Student Arts Showcase. Dr. King-themed artwork from students in the Saratoga Area will be shown and performed live at Skidmore College’s Case Center. Will also feature crafts, face-painting, music and refreshments. All are welcome!

Saturday, 1/17:

• 11a.m.-12:30 p.m. Love is the Greatest Force: The Theory and Practice of Nonviolent Resistance. Local activists will present a workshop to demonstrate, teach and discuss non-violent resistance and protest. Will be held at the historic Frederick Allen Lodge on Beekman Street in Saratoga. The lodge was chartered in 1925 by Frederick Joseph Allen, the first Black employee in Saratoga’s Public Works Department.

• 2:00 p.m. The Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College will hold a special Dr. King-themed Family Saturday, an event that helps foster multigenerational creative cooperation through looking at artwork, discussing it, and engaging in a hands-on art activity.

• 8:00 p.m. Free concert at Caffè Lena: Hubby Jenkins of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Jenkins is celebrated for his riveting performances that honor and illuminate the African American roots of old-time American music.

Sunday, 1/18:

• 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. “Moral Cosmos” Morning Gospel Service at AME Zion Church in Saratoga Springs featuring the music of the Heavenly Echoes: a prominent, long-running Southern-style gospel group from the Capital District.

• 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Civil Minds Think Alike: Workshop led by Saratoga Springs High School students at the Frederick Allen Lodge in Saratoga Springs, exploring Dr. King’s values and how they connect with and inspire today’s youth.

Monday, 1/19:

• 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Dr. King Day of Service. Honor Dr. King by participating at service projects ranging from collecting non-perishable food items; blanket making and food collections for pets in local shelters; the Mooncatcher project to make renewable menstrual management kits; repairing gently used books for donation, and more. Local community organizations will also be there sharing their stories and missions. Light lunch catered by Jackson Soul Catering following the service projects at 12 noon. At the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church.

• 1 p.m.-2p.m. Dr. King Weekend Community Celebration. Featuring opening music by Soulist Garland Nelson, local speakers, and a keynote address by Minister Steven Boxley.

About MLK Saratoga: MLK Saratoga shares Dr. Martin Luther King’s vision of peace and justice for all, building civil and human rights awareness by promoting equity, inclusivity, diversity, anti-racism and social justice through community events and offerings, engaging via performance, dialogue, conversation, and the arts.

Events are all ages and family friendly unless noted on the website: https://www.mlksaratoga.org/2026-dr-king-celebration-weekend