Martin Luther King Jr. Day events scheduled in Evanston and Skokie.

Evanston and Skokie will mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day around the Jan. 19 federal holiday with local gatherings that include a community celebration, a candlelight vigil, a teen volunteering session, a university keynote panel and an oratorical contest.

Martin Luther King Jr. would have turned 97 on Jan. 15, 2026. Local groups in Evanston and Skokie have organized events to honor his work on peace and racial and economic justice. The federal holiday is Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Activities include public ceremonies, musical performances, a vigil, volunteering and university-led programs. Planned events: - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Celebration, 12 to 3 p.m. at Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster Street, Evanston; program features keynote speaker Northwestern student Brooks Lansana, Evanston's Children's Choir, The Musical Offering, MC4 singing group, Ayodele Drum & Dance, and singers Treasure and Jayla. - MLK candlelight vigil, 2 p.m. at Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Road, Evanston, also livestreamed; keynote delivered by Chicago pastor Charlie Dates and a performance by the Northwestern Community Ensemble. Dates is noted as founder of the Progressive Center for Counseling & Justice, the Black Boy Literacy Campaign, and Spend in the Black Commerce Corridor. - "Community Volunteering for Teens," 2 p.m. at Skokie Public Library, 5215 W. Oakton St., Skokie, featuring local agencies and volunteer projects for teens. - MLK keynote event, 5 p.m. at Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall, Northwestern University, 70 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston; the panel is moderated by Sylvester Johnson and includes Leslie Harris, Kate Masur, Morris "Dino" Robinson and Laurice Bell, with a performance by Northwestern's Soul4Real. Registration is listed at northwestern.edu/mlk/. - Oratorical Contest at Northwestern University's Chicago campus, noon to 1 p.m., viewable online at northwestern.edu/mlk/; the topic addresses MLK and the Poor People's Campaign and the top three contestants will receive scholarships ranging from $200 to $500. Summary: These events bring together students, faith leaders, performers and volunteers to remember Dr. King and discuss themes of justice and community. Several programs will be available online or livestreamed and some list registration through Northwestern's MLK page. The gatherings are timed around the federal holiday on Jan. 19, 2026.