Event Roundup: What to Look Forward to This MLK Weekend 2025

Happy Friday! Here’s what’s happening around town this weekend, including Monday – MLK Day. Stay warm!

New this year: Slip, slide, spin and crash with Bumper Cars on Ice at Discovery Green, Jan. 6-19. 

Bumper Cars on Ice at Discovery Green: Final Weekend 
Friday, 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Open through Sunday, Jan. 19
Discovery Green
Tickets are $20 plus tax for a seven-minute ride.
It's the final chance to enjoy Bumper Cars on Ice at Discovery Green, new this year to The Ice at Discovery Green! This timeless amusement ride gets an updated twist at Houston’s only outdoor ice-skating rink. No license or experience needed to drive! Children must be taller than 42 inches to ride.

Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with an inspirational day at Children's Museum Houston. (Photo courtesy of Children's Museum Houston)

29th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration 
Sat., Jan. 18, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Children's Museum Houston
General admission: $19.95; free for child under 1
Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with an inspirational day at Children's Museum Houston. Highlights include a Peach March, a reenactment of the famous "I Have a Dream" speech, music, a performance, a special storytime and crafts, and more.

AFC Divisional: Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs Texans 
Sat., Jan. 18, 3:30 p.m. kickoff
Cheer on our Texans as they take on the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in the next round of the playoffs. The official Texans Watch Party takes place at The Rustic Downtown; tickets are no longer available but fans can catch the game on ESPN/ABC.

Chevron Houston Marathon & Aramco Houston Half
Sun., Jan. 20, 6 a.m.
Downtown Houston; RunFest & Running Club Village takes place at Discovery Green
Free for spectators
Good luck to all of the runners participating in the Chevron Houston Marathon & Aramco Houston Half Marathon! RunFest presented by Michelob Ultra Charity & Running Club Village takes place at Discovery Green, Jones Lawn, 6 a.m-3 p.m. See the full schedule of weekend events here. See the course map here. Find out how to track your favorite runners on Race Day. Find more information for spectators here.

The Cookout: Market & More 
Sat., Jan. 18, 2-6 p.m.
1818 Center St., 77007
$10: charitable donation; proceeds support The Beacon
The Cookout was created to bring people together for a day of fun in honor of MLK Day, celebrating Dr. King's legacy of unity, service, and community day. The Cookout benefits The Beacon, an organization dedicated to helping individuals experiencing homelessness in Houston. Look forward to a lively pop-up market featuring local vendors and small businesses, an epic DJ battle where talented performers go head-to-head, plus delicious food, beer, and good vibes. 

8th Annual Family Fun Day at MATCH 
Sun., Jan. 19, 1-5 p.m.
MATCH Houston
Free
Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston (MATCH) hosts the annual MATCH Family Fun Day, a free, kid-forward afternoon packed with live performances, family activities, and excitement. There will be live performances throughout the day from local favorites like Main Street Theater for Youth, Prelude Music, and Open Dance Project. Free entertainment and activities for little one includes face painting, balloon art, stilt walkers, bounce houses, vibrant chalk art displays, and more.

Events on Mon., Jan. 20: MLK Day 2025

MLK Jr Day Freedom Run
Mon., Jan. 20, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Eleanor Tinsley Park
Mark MLK Day with a run held at Eleanor Tinsley Park. Race options include a Family 1-Mile Fun Run, 5K, 10K, or Half-Marathon.

The Black Heritage Society's 47th Annual MLK Parade 
Mon., Jan. 20, 10 a.m.
Downtown Houston
Free
The Black Heritage Society's 47th Annual MLK Parade takes place Mon., Jan. 20, 10 a.m. in downtown Houston. The parade is set to begin at Lamar and Smith Street. Immediately following, the MLK Festival will take place at Hermann Park Square in front of City Hall at 900 Smith St. The festival (until 4 p.m.) will feature live musical performances, kid-friendly activities, art and craft vendors, food, and more.

MLK Grande Parade Midtown Houston 2025 
Mon., Jan. 20, 10 a.m.
Midtown
Free
The MLK Grande Parade will be held in Midtown starting at San Jacinto and Elgin St. The parade's theme is "Unity Through Diversity" and will feature culturally diverse performance groups from across the nation. Join in person or watch live on CW 39-Houston.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Holocaust Museum Houston 
Mon., Jan. 20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Holocaust Museum Houston
General admission: Adult: $22; senior: $16; 18 and under: Free
While Holocaust Museum Houston is closed on Mondays, the museum galleries will be open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. On this annual commemoration, the museum remembers and honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his leadership.

2025 MLK Day Observance Audio Installation 
Mon., Jan. 20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Rothko Chapel
Free
In honor of MLK Day each year, the Rothko Chapel plays speeches from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life throughout the day. Listen to the quiet of the Chapel resonate with MLK’s voice. Schedule includes: 11 a.m. – “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” delivered on April 3, 1968 at Mason Temple, Memphis, TN (43:06 minutes); 1 p.m. – “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,” delivered on April 4, 1967 at Riverside Church, New York City, NY (56:19 minutes); 3 p.m. – “The Other America,” delivered on April 14, 1967 at Stanford University, CA (47:54 minutes); 5 p.m. – “I Have a Dream,” delivered on August 28, 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C. (17:50 minutes)

More Events
See our event calendar for more upcoming events.