Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday 2017 in Houston: Plan Your Festivities Here

HOUSTON, TX — Monday, January 16, is set aside to honor the memory and work of Martin Luther King, Jr., the famed American civil rights leader. It is a federal holiday, of course, which means offices will be closed and some services will be postponed, so check with your local authorities and officials before you make any plans that require governmental assistance.

It's also a day for celebration, of course, and the Houston area will host myriad festivities and events focused on MLK, including parades and children's activities. Here's a roundup of the best of them:

Saturday, Jan. 14

11th Annual MLK Youth Parade: This rollicking spectacle is expected to attract 200,000 spectators to Midtown, and will kick off at noon. It will be broadcast on Univision and NTD TV-New York. Marching bands from Houston's Stephen F. Austin High School and Huntington High School, based in Shreveport, Louisiana, lead the parade.

Sunday, Jan. 15

Rothko Chapel's Martin Luther King, Jr., Birthday Celebration: Hear poetry, speeches, and readings at this event, held at a refuge for meditation and thought. Registration is required.

16th Annual MLK Battle of the Bands Competition: Bands from around the country are headed to Houston to vie for top honors at this exciting contest. Come and be prepared to move!

Monday, Jan. 16

MLK Day at Children's Museum of Houston: The museum for kids (and the not so young) has been holding this event for 21 years now, and it's always full of fun and thought. There's a $5 admission fee, but it's well worth it.

MLK Parade and Gospel Festival at Baytown Town Square: There's a parade, a choir, and dancers, so what's not to like about this celebration of King's life and legacy?

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Scholarship Breakfast: Houston's mayor, Sylvester Turner, is the keynote speaker at this year's breakfast, which marks the 29th anniversary of this event. Your $50 admission will go toward good works, something King would have appreciated. At the George R. Brown Convention Center.

23rd Annual MLK Grande Parade: Talk about a big parade! This staple of Midtown Houston is expected to draw about 300,000 spectators and will feature floats, marching bands, and 150-plus performing groups. This year, it's co-led by the University of Houston Marching Band and the Prairie View A&M University Marching Band.

39th Annual MLK Jr. Parade and Celebration at Minute Maid Park: The Black Heritage Society always organizes a great parade, and this year promises to be no different. Activism, advocacy, and justice are the keywords, and this event is a great way to honor MLK.

— Images courtesy Creative Commons