What To Do On MLK Day In NYC

NEW YORK, NY — New York City doesn't celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the scale of Christmas or Memorial Day. But it's still an important occasion for New Yorkers who want to continue King's legacy of community service and nonviolent activism.

This year's observance falls on Jan. 15, King's actual birthday — the renowned civil rights leader was born that day in 1929 in Atlanta. It also comes ahead of the 50th anniversary of King's assassination in Memphis, Tenn. on April 4, 1968.

Banks, government buildings and New York City public schools will be closed to recognize the federal holiday.

But it'll be just another Monday for most New Yorkers. Only 37 percent of workers across the country get MLK Day off, a 2016 Bloomberg BNA survey found. Among those on the job Monday will be city sanitation workers, who will be collecting garbage and recycling as usual.

But if you get the day off, it's a chance to learn more about King's life and work at museums or special concerts. It's also a day to volunteer in the spirit of King's activism, as MLK Day is one of two national days of service in the U.S.

Here's a list of some of the opportunities in New York City to volunteer or learn about King.

'King In New York' Exhibit

A new exhibit opening at the Museum of the City of New York on Saturday, Jan. 13 examines King's civil rights work in the city, including his speeches to the United Nations, his sermons in local churches and his talks about race with New York's mayors. "King In New York" highlights "a lesser-known side of King’s work and demonstrate the importance of New York City in the national civil rights movement," the museum says in the show's description.

The museum will run a series of programs on Monday centered on the exhibit, including a chance to make your own protest poster. Visitors can also see "Activist New York," another exhibit about contemporary movements in the city, including the Black Lives Matter movement. Find more info here.

Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave., Manhattan

Musical Tribute In Brooklyn

The Brooklyn Academy of Music hosts what it calls the "largest public celebration" of King in New York City. The 32nd annual free event at 10:30 a.m. Monday will feature musicians, activists and civic leaders on stage at the Howard Gilman Opera House, with a keynote speech by The New Yorker writer Jelani Cobb.

BAM has a full day of events planned, including a film screening, talk and art exhibit. Find more info here.

Brooklyn Academy of Music Peter Jay Sharp Building, 30 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn

March With Manhattan Kids

Eighth-graders at the Manhattan Country School organize an annual MLK Day march to advocate for civil-rights causes that are important to them. They make speeches, select the route and pick a theme — this year's is "A New Revolution: Youth and Social Change."

The 30th annual march starts at 10 a.m. at Riverside Park's Eleanor Roosevelt monument at 72nd Street and proceeds to the school on West 85th Street. RSVP and get more info by visiting the Facebook event page.

Eleanor Roosevelt monument, 72nd Street and Riverside Drive, Manhattan

Storytelling In Prospect Park

Brooklyn storyteller Tammy Hall will entertain and educate kids with tales and "freedom songs" at Prospect Park's Lefferts Historic House. The program will include "diverse tales from around the world to create a rich experience for all," the Prospect Park Alliance says.

There's a whole slate of MLK Day events at Prospect Park, but Hall's program requires tickets. RSVP and find more info here.

Lefferts Historic House, 425 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn

MLK Day Of Service

Organizations across the five boroughs are looking for helping hands on MLK Day. Among them are the Brooklyn Children's Museum, which is looking for volunteers to help with programs throughout the holiday weekend; and the city Parks Department, which has cleanup events for anyone looking to get their hands dirty.

But they're not the only ones. New York Cares has a list of six other groups that are looking for volunteers. Many volunteer slots have already been filled for Monday, the community service group says, but there are plenty of opportunities to help out throughout the weekend and the rest of the week.

(Lead image: The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is pictured in Washington, D.C. in 2015. Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)