Monday, Jan. 15 marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday honoring the civil rights activist’s legacy. Lakeland will commemorate Dr. King’s impact with the 2024 Dream Megafest, a community-wide series of free events starting Friday, Jan. 12. Here are six events to mark on your calendar:
Leadership Forum: “College, Careers & Community” | Friday, Jan. 12 | 1-4 p.m. | Lake Crago Complex, 525 Lake Crago Dr., Lakeland | Build your professional skills with workshops on choosing college and career paths.
Day of Caring | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Florida Children’s Museum, 600 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Admission is free to enjoy art performances, community resources, and the museum’s exhibits.
MLK Day of Community Service | Monday, Jan. 15 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Joinery, 640 E. Main St., Lakeland | Sign up to volunteer at a local community improvement project.
Reception: “Illustrations from the Mirror: The Art of Ahmad Taylor” | Wednesday, Jan. 17 | 6-8 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art, 800 E. Palmetto St., Lakeland | Celebrate this exhibit with a conversation between the Lakeland native artist and the museum’s executive director.
2024 Swan City Jazz Festival | Saturday, Jan. 20-Sunday, Jan. 21 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Kathleen High School, 1100 Red Devil Way, Lakeland | Jazz musicians will come from near and far to perform at this free music festival.
46th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 1 p.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | Celebrate at this parade, which begins at Providence and West 14th Street and ends at Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and 2nd Street.
Keep track of all these events with our interactive map. And that’s not all — see the full schedule for six more can’t-miss events.