Each year, people from across Seattle come together to remind our civic leaders that the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. continues to live on. This Monday, January 19, Seattleites are invited to take part in the 43rd annual Seattle Martin Luther King Jr. March and Rally. In addition to the march and rally, the weekend will include a youth-focused event, an opportunity and job fair, and a series of workshops.
Read on for full event details.
The theme of the 2026 Seattle/King County Martin Luther King Jr. March and Rally is “Where Do We Go From Here?”
This theme is drawn from Dr. King’s 1967 book, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? In the book, Dr. King cautioned that the nation was at a pivotal moment, confronting entrenched racism, poverty, militarism, and growing division. He posed a critical choice: move toward chaos, or work collectively to build a just, democratic, and compassionate community.
Seattle’s 43rd annual MLK Day events will begin with a youth gathering on January 17. Titled “This Is Where We Go From Here,” the event starts at 4:00 pm at Washington Hall.
The primary MLK Day activities will take place on January 19 at Garfield High School. An opportunity fair will run from 8:30 to 11:30 am, with workshops scheduled between 9:30 and 10:45 am. The rally will begin at 11:00 am in the school gym, followed by the march starting at 12:30 pm from the parking lot. The march is expected to conclude around 1:45 pm and will end with a second rally. In an effort to make event more accessible for all, the organizers have provided this link for real-time captioning that you can enter into your phone’s browser.
Looking for the march route? For safety and security reasons, the march route will be released publicly the morning of the event. You can check the organizers’ website or Instagram page for updates.
For those unable to attend in person, the event will be livestreamed on the RainierAvenueRadio.World Facebook page, as well as on X, YouTube, and Twitch.
This outdoor event—with an emphasis on masking and social distancing—is organized by the Seattle MLK Jr. Organizing Coalition. The coalition is an all-volunteer group made up of grassroots, labor, business, people-of-color, and progressive community organizations, along with individual volunteers. Since 1982, they have coordinated Seattle’s largest annual tribute honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Here’s what they shared about this year’s event:
On January 19, 2026, we will gather to march, rally, and demand that our nation chooses community over chaos. Together, we honor Dr. King not as a sanitized symbol, but as the radical truth-teller he was—a man who believed that a better world is not only possible, but necessary.”
A note on safety, with information and tips taken from the organizers: To help keep the day safe and welcoming for all, follow guidance from event marshals, volunteers, and organizers and bring only essential items. Stay aware of your surroundings, look out for one another, and attend with a buddy when possible, setting a meeting point in case you get separated. If you feel unsafe or notice anything concerning, alert a volunteer immediately. This is a peaceful gathering, so please help maintain a calm and respectful atmosphere. If you are feeling unwell, stay home and take care of yourself. Medic volunteers will be on site, and you may wish to bring a small personal first aid kit if needed.