Birmingham was a key proving ground for Martin Luther King Jr. He led some of the crucial protests here, was jailed here and wrote his Letter From Birmingham Jail while in a cell downtown.

Memorializing his legacy on Martin Luther King Jr. Day each year is a tradition in the city, from the annual Unity Breakfast to volunteer opportunities at local schools. Here are some events over the next few days to remember and celebrate the life of “The Drum Major for Peace.”

Saturday

• MLK Day 5K Drum Run commemorates King’s nickname as the Drum Major for Peace. On-site registration begins at 7 a.m. and ends at 7:50 a.m. The starting line is at the Fourth Avenue History Park at Fourth Avenue North and 17th Street. The 5K/10K run begins at 8 a.m.; the 1-mile fun run/walk starts at 9:30 a.m. Register at MLK Day 5K Drum Run – Birmingham
• “Begin the Day: The Martin Luther King Memorial Lecture,” presented by Birmingham Public Library Department of Archives and Manuscripts, will be at 1 p.m. at the Central Library downtown, on the fourth floor of the Research Library building. M. Dominique Villanueva, cofounder of Fountain Heights Farm, will be speaking on “Liberation Through the Land: Connecting Black Liberation to Urban Farming.”
• King Day Painting Class with Studio 2500. Sign up for a free King Day Painting Class with Studio 2500 at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon in The Commons Room at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a guided paint session hosted by renowned local artist Willie Williams Jr. Pre-drawn canvas and paint will be provided. Each class is a one-hour session and suitable for ages 5 and older. The theme of the artworks is: “With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
• The Metro Birmingham SCLC’s MLK Community Breakfast will be at New Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1730 11th Ave N, Bessemer, beginning at 9 a.m. Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales is to speak.
• The Community Affairs Committee Birmingham gun buyback and marches in memory of King will be held Saturday. One in West End will be 10 a.m. to noon. The march will start at New Hope Baptist Church and end at Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. Another in Fairfield will be 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The march starts at Fairfield High School and ends at Fairfield City Hall.

Sunday

• Birmingham Squadron MLK Celebration Game. Squadron vs. Wisconsin Herd (NBA affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks). Tip-Off: 3:00 p.m. Giveaway: First 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Squadron Wall Flag. Halftime Entertainment: Fans will have the opportunity to witness the first female speed painter in America, Jessica K. Haas, paint a picture to honor the memory of MLK. The Birmingham Youth & Young Adult Fellowship Choir will perform. Buy tickets here.

Monday

• The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast will take place Monday at the Birmingham Sheraton. Doors open at 6:45 a.m. The MLK Breakfast Choir will sing from 6:45 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. The event will start at 7:30 a.m. Single tickets are $60. A table of eight will cost $480. Tickets can be bought from Aaron Carlton at 205-585-6463 or by emailing breakfast4unity@gmail.com.
• King Day 2025 at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. BCRI will have a day of free activities, performances and celebrations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Admission to the BCRI museum and all activities will be free on MLK Day thanks to a sponsorship from FedEx. Doors open at 10 a.m. for self-guided visits. At 10:30 a.m., there will be a recitation of King’s final speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” by Muhammad Ali. At 11:15 a.m., Carlton Reese Memorial Choir performs “Songs of Freedom.” At noon, there will be a panel discussion on the topic, “Whatever You Do, Keep Moving Forward.” At 2 p.m., African drum and Afro-Latin dance workshops will be held as part of the “A Drum Major for Justice” event.
• The Iota Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha will lead Birmingham-area members of the fraternity in the annual wreath laying at the statue of the late Alpha member at 10 a.m. in Kelly Ingram Park. The Rev. Darren Allen, pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church of Cordova is the keynote speaker.
• MLK Day Litter Cleanup in Birmingham City Council District 1, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Assemble at 200 Roebuck Drive. Wear comfortable clothing that you do not mind getting dirty and closed-toed shoes. Bring your own water and sun protection; garbage bags, gloves and litter pickers will be provided.
• United Way–Hands On MLK Jr. Day of Service this year offers three volunteer opportunities to mark the MLK holiday. Register for the events at Hayes K-8 School, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and Mount Olive Cemetery.