Somerville to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with Community Event & Youth Essay Contest

Somerville invites community members to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the City’s annual MLK Day Celebration taking place on Saturday, January 17. Youth are also invited to submit a short essay on Dr. King to the MLK Jr. Youth Essay contest by the January 12th deadline.  

The free, all-ages celebration will feature a keynote address delivered by Dr. James “Jimmy” McCarty, as well as youth performances including remarks, poetry, and music focused on Dr. King’s life’s work and its ongoing impact. Food, refreshments, and arts and crafts activities will also be offered.  

“I’m so proud that our community comes together on MLK Day to learn, reflect, and be inspired, and I heartily encourage everyone to join me in coming out to enjoy the speakers and performers,” said Mayor Wilson. “It’s especially meaningful that the voices of Somerville youth, including our essay finalists, will offer perspective on the importance of this day -- and of MLK’s ongoing work -- as we celebrate Dr. King’s legacy together.” 

Community members are encouraged (but not required) to RSVP at bit.ly/MLK_2026. 

MLK Day Event Details 

• Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
• Time: 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Location: Somerville High School (SHS), 81 Highland Ave
• Rain date: Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Somerville High School 

Youth Essay Contest 

Ahead of the community event, Somerville youth are invited to submit a short essay on Dr. King’s life and legacy. The essays will be reviewed by Somerville’s Human Rights Commission, which will select two finalists to read their essays aloud at the City’s MLK Day celebration.   

The selected authors will also receive free tuition for an online human rights course offered by the U.S. Institute for Diplomacy and Human Rights. Interested youth can learn more and view the two essay prompts here. Submissions are due Tuesday, January 13th at 5 p.m. 

About Somerville’s Celebration of Dr. King 

Organized in collaboration with Somerville Parks and Recreation, Health and Human Services Youth Services Division, the Somerville Public Schools Office of Equity and Excellence, Teen Empowerment, and The Dojo @ Somernova, the event is designed for all ages to honor and celebrate Dr. King. 

For questions about the MLK Day event, the Youth Essay Contest, and other opportunities including joining a day of service alongside the Human Rights Commission, please contact rsj@somervillema.gov or visit somervillema.gov/rsj.  

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.  

The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter in your language for free. To request an interpreter, please contact us at languageaccess@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311) at least 7 days in advance of this event. 

This event will be videotaped by the City’s GovTV team. Watch it on-demand with optional closed-captioning (select the CC icon) on YouTube.com/SomervilleCityTV. Or watch on cable TV at GovTV ( somervillema.gov/video) Comcast Ch. 22 and GovTV Astound (RCN) Ch. 13 & 613. Videos generally post within one business day of recording.