Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a great opportunity to teach your children about Dr. King and America’s history of injustice, the Civil Rights Movement, and the long ongoing march towards equality. This year, make Martin Luther King, Jr. Day more meaningful for your children by providing them with some history as to why we celebrate. There are plenty of family-friendly, inspiring, and really affordable (many are FREE!) ways to celebrate MLK Day of Service. Here’s a listing of them, with links and information. Here is your guide to Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Family-Friendly Volunteer Opportunities & Events in NJ. Enjoy!
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Family-Friendly Volunteer Opportunities & Events in NJ
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast
January 9, 2026
The Robert Treat Hotel
Newark, NJ
Event Details
MLK Luminary Decorating Party
January 11, 2026 at 2PM – 4PM
The Baird
Maplewood, NJ
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Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Breakfast
January 16, 2026 at 7:30AM – 9:30AM
Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club
Farmingdale, NJ
Event Details
MLK Unity Run
January 18, 2026 at 8AM
Fleet Feet Montclair
Nishuane Park
Montclair, NJ
Event Details
Jersey Cares Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service – Volunteer Opportunities
January 19, 2026
Jersey Cares
Various In-Person and Virtual Events
Event Details
Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship Breakfast
January 19, 2026 at 8AM – 12PM
The Ivy League Educational Foundation Charitable Arm Of Epsilon Upsilon Omega Chapter Of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
Hyatt Regency Princeton
Princeton, NJ
Event Details
MLK Day of Service 2026 at West Windsor Arts
January 19, 2026 at 10am – 3:30pm
West Windsor Arts Council
Princeton Junction, NJ
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MLK National Day of Service
January 19, 2026 at 9am – 12pm
Music Pier
Ocean City, NJ
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Martin Luther King Jr Ceremony and Soul Food Lunch
January 19, 2026 at 12PM – 2PM
Ocean City Tabernacle
Ocean City, NJ
Event Details
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Breakfast and Day of Service
January 19, 2026 at 9AM
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
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MLK Day Window Sign Making Workshop + Food Drive
January 19, 2026 at 1PM – 3PM
Arts Council of Princeton
Princeton, NJ
Event Details
Gloucester Township’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
January 19, 2026 at 8:30AM – 12PM
Charles W. Lewis Middle School
Blackwood, NJ
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Stockton University Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
January 19, 2026 at 9AM
Stockton University
Galloway, NJ
Event Details
Franklin Township Annual Community Breakfast
January 19, 2026 at 9AM
Doubletree Hotel
Somerset, NJ
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MLK Day of Service – FOPOS Land Stewardship Volunteer Session
January 19, 2025 at 10AM – 3PM
Friends Of Princeton Open Space
Princeton, NJ
Event Details
Community Day: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
January 19, 2026 at 12PM – 5PM
The Newark Museum of Art
Newark, NJ
Event Details
Livingston’s MLK Day of Service
January 19, 2026 at 9:30AM
Livingston Senior Community Center
Livingston, NJ
Event Details
25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Observance & Luminary Lighting
January 19, 2026 at 2PM
Columbia High School
Maplewood, NJ
Event Details
MLK Community Rock Garden
January 19, 2026 at 12:30PM – 2:30PM
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
Summit, NJ
Event Details
MLK Home Activities
Get Inspired! Martin Luther King Jr. Activity
Get Inspired! Martin Luther King Jr. Mindful Coloring
MLK Book Recommendations
I am Martin Luther King, Jr. (by Brad Meltzer)
Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (by Doreen Rappaport )
The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. (by Christine Platt)
I am Brave (by Brad Meltzer)
Let the Children March (by Monica Clark-Robinson)
I Have a Dream (by Martin Luther King Jr.)
Happy Birthday Martin Luther King (by Jean Marzollo)
