Celebrations will take place in Northeast Ohio this weekend in honor of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. ahead of the Jan. 15 federal holiday that commemorates the activist and chief spokesperson for the Civil Rights Movement. The best part is that you can participate in the festivities for free.
The Cleveland Orchestra's 44th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Concert
Enjoy an evening of music Sunday night at Severance Music Center's Mandel Concert Hall. The concert features The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Chorus, an all-volunteer community chorus directed by Dr. William Henry Caldwell. Violinist Amaryn Olmeda will perform. Tickets are free but required. Find more info here.
Martin Luther King Jr. Community Open House & Day of Music
Severance Music Center will host a Martin Luther King Jr. Community Open House and Day of Music on Monday, Jan. 15. According to the event's website, attendees will enjoy performances throughout the day from The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus, Linking Legacies Chamber Ensemble, Evelyn Wright with the Joe Hunter Trio, the Djapo Cultural Arts Institute, the Cleveland Association of Black Storytellers, 10K Movement, DJ IamYulissa, and host and resident poet Chris Webb. Tickets are not required. Find more info here.
Great Lakes Science Center
You can enjoy free general admission at the Great Lakes Science Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to the science center. There will be special programming, such as Seeing Sound, Bubblemani, hands-on science activities, and an open-forum discussion with employees from NASA. Adult and youth tickets for the Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater will be discounted to $5 for the day. There will also be a free showing of “Apollo 11: First Steps Edition.” Find more info here.
Cleveland Museum of Art
The Cleveland Museum of Art will have free activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to celebrate MLK Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 15. The museum invites attendees to "Make Your Mark through storytelling, a poetry wall, art making, screen printing, performances, and reflective writing prompts. Find more info here.
Maltz Museum
The annual HEAR OUR VOICES MLK Jr. celebration will be at the Maltz Museum on Monday, Jan. 15, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with in-person programs. Tour the museum's permanent collections and enjoy the "The Girl in the Diary: Searching for Rywka from the Lodz Ghetto" special exhibition and other hands-on activities free of charge. Shaker Heights native and Pulitzer Prize winner Wesley Lowery will give a special keynote, followed by a book signing of his New York Times Bestseller, "American Whitelash: A Changing Nation and the Cost of Progress." Find more info here.
Akron Art Museum
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 15, enjoy free entry to the Akron Art Museum in honor of MLK Jr. Day. Related photographs will be on view, and interactive activities will be available. Registration is required, find more info here.
Discovery Day at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
During Discovery Day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 15, attendees will have the opportunity to watch wildlife presentations, connect with museum scientists, and take part in hands-on activities free of charge in honor of celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Find more info here.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is offering free admission to the museum for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets must be reserved in advance; find more info here.
Greater Cleveland Aquarium
This one isn't free but tickets to the Greater Cleveland Aquarium are discounted to $14.95 for adults and $8.95 for children up to age 12 during Difference-Makers Days from Jan. 15-21. The aquarium will highlight individuals who left their mark on marine science. The aquarium has partnered with the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland (UBF), with $1 from every ticket being donated to UBF. Find more info here.
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