Visiting Chicago during Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend and looking for the best things to do? If you have a 3 day weekend to spend in Chicago, there are tons of things to do in Chicago on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 19, 2026) and even more during the rest of MLK weekend.
I suggest bookmarking this blog post as will be updating it regularly with any new events and activities.
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Best Things to Do in Chicago on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Here are the best things to do in Chicago on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Black Creativity Family Day at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
During this year’s Black Creativity Family Day at The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry families can participate in a day of community art experience, engage in creative activities, and explore the Juried Art Exhibition. More details on this annual Black Creativity event will be announced soon.
When: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: 5700 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
Cost: Black Creativity Family Day events and activities are included in Museum Entry. Click here to purchase a skip the line ticket.
Commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day Family Event at the Chicago History Museum
The Chicago History Museum will have a family-focused celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ongoing influence on the fight for civil rights in the US, enjoy hands-on engagements, musical performances, and opportunities to learn about how to become more civically engaged in your community.
Where: 10am – 4pm
Where: Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614
Cost: Included with admission, which is FREE for Illinois residents on this day.
Dr. Martin Luther King Day at Chicago Children’s Museum
The Dr. Martin Luther King Day at Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier is a celebration of Dr. King and his legacy through art activities, storytelling and reflection.
Where: 10am-5pm
Where: Chicago Children’s Museum, Navy Pier, 700 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Cost: $23 per person ($21 for Illinois residents and free for kids under 1)
Admire Famous Works at The Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States and is frequently found on lists of the top museums in the world. In addition to its large permanent collection of art from around the world, you can see rotating exhibitions.
On MLK Day, visitors can honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with art-making activities from 11am–3pm and join the Gallery Conversation: Letter from Birmingham Jail from 2:00–3:30pm.
Where: 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Cost: Price varies. Admission is free for Illinois residents on Martin Luther King Day. Click here to buy a skip the line ticket if you want to avoid long lines).
Tip: If you are visiting a few museums and indoor attractions, consider purchasing a Chicago CityPASS or Go Chicago Card to save money on entrance fees.
Drink and Watch a Drunk Shakespeare Play
Join The Drunk Shakespeare Society for an unforgettable evening of Shakespearean revelry. Set within a speakeasy, five actors attempt to perform a Shakespearean play after one of them downs multiple shots of various alcohols. Every show is different depending on who is drinking and what they’re drinking. Must be 21+ with valid ID. Click here to purchase tickets in advance.
Where: The Lounge At The Lion, 182 North Wabash Avenue
Go Outdoor Ice Skating
Looking for a fun outdoor activity in Chicago? There are many places to go outdoor ice skating in the city.
One of the best and picture perfect spots to go ice skating is at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park right in front of The Bean. Admission is free, but online ticketed reservations are required.
Another picture perfect spot is the nearby skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park which has a path twice the length of a lap around a traditional skating rink. Online reservations are required.
Try Outdoor Curling
Curling is a winter sport in which players slide stones on a sheet of ice or a lane towards a target. Below is a list of places offering outdoor curling (along with drinks):
Upstairs at The Gwen, 521 North Rush Street
Harry Caray’s Tavern – Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave
Kaiser Tiger, 1415 West Randolph St
Martin Luther King Day Events in Chicago
In addition to the events and activities listed above, more events on Martin Luther King Jr. Day include: Black Being: Chicago Sinfonietta’s annual MLK Tribute Concert, The North Lawndale Racial Justice Ride, MLK Day – Echoes of Freedom at Hyde Park Art Center, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration: Song & Ceremony at The Old Town School of Folk Music, Fight Fear Build Power: MLK, Ali and the Fierce Urgency of Now, King’s Day at Amundsen (Roald) Park for kids (ages 6-12) and MLK Day of Service Events at Forest Preserves.
Things to do in Chicago During Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend
If you are spending Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend in Chicago, you will find even more fun things to do. (And if you have more time, here are more things to do in Chicago in January.)
These activities are not available on Monday but are open on the weekend:
Attend a Candlelight Concert
Chicago’s Candlelight Concerts is a series of special classical music concerts that take place in beautiful venues bathed in candlelight. Some of the concerts taking place during Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend include:
A Tribute to Rihanna
The Best of Hans Zimmer
Tribute to Fleetwood Mac on Strings
You can find the full list of candlelight concerts in Chicago here.
Enjoy the Warm Temperatures at the Garfield Park Conservatory
The Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the largest and most stunning botanical conservatories in the US. Often referred to as “landscape art under glass,” the Garfield Park Conservatory showcases thousands of plant species from around the world throughout eight indoor display gardens. Visitors can enjoy the lush flora and tropical temperatures indoors even if it is cold or rainy outside.
Where: 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60624
Hours: Closed on Monday but open on the weekend. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Visit the Lincoln Park Conservatory
Although not as large as the Garfield Park Conservatory, the Lincoln Park Conservatory is worth a visit and is more conveniently located for visitors.
Where: 2391 N Stockton Dr., Chicago, IL 60614
Hours: Closed on Monday but open on the weekend from 10am-5pm. Advance online reservations are required.
Cost: FREE
Shop at an Indoor Farmers Market
These indoor winter farmers markets will be taking place during MLK weekend:
Green City Market (Avondale) – 8am–1pm on Saturday
South Loop Farmers Market – 9am – 1pm on Saturday
Edgewater Indoor Market – 10am–2pm on Saturday
Wicker Park Winter Farmers Market – 9am-2pm on Sunday
More Martin Luther King Day Weekend Events in Chicago
Other events taking place in Chicago during Martin Luther King Day weekend include: Tomorrow Never Knows Fest (January 15-19), Chicago Cubs Convention (January 17-19), MLK Day of Service Events at Forest Preserves (January 18), Day of Service and Learning honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Rainbow PUSH Coalition National Headquarters (January 18), I HAVE a Dream Exhibit at Pose Cultural Art Gallery (January 18),
Dream with Ice Cream: A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Nitro Nostalgia Cafe (January 19), Pegasus Theatre Chicago’s 38th Annual Young Playwrights Festival and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
You can find more things to do in Chicago during Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend in this post about the best weekend events.
As you can see there are many things to do in Chicago on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and even more on the rest of Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend.
Planning a trip to Chicago? Check out my Chicago guides and itineraries:
