SOUTHERN MARYLAND — Communities across Southern Maryland will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January 2026 with a series of prayer services, family programs, arts events, and service opportunities designed to honor Dr. King’s legacy through reflection, education, creativity, and action.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed annually on the third Monday in January in honor of the civil rights leader’s birthday and his role in advancing equality through nonviolent activism. The federal holiday was signed into law in 1983 and first observed nationwide in 1986. It is recognized not only as a day of remembrance, but also as a day of service, encouraging communities to turn Dr. King’s words into action through volunteerism and civic engagement.
Across Southern Maryland, the holiday is traditionally marked by prayer breakfasts, educational programs, youth activities, and service projects that reflect Dr. King’s enduring message of justice, unity, and collective responsibility.
Black History Month Events
MLK Days: A 3-Day Community Art Event
Saturday–Monday, Jan. 17–19, 2026 (11 a.m.–4 p.m. daily)
Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center
13470 Dowell Road, Solomons, MD 20688
This free, drop-in community art experience invites visitors of all ages to help create A Bouquet for MLK, a collaborative felted flower installation inspired by Dr. King’s life and message. Led by visiting artist Felicia Reed, participants can observe the wet-felting process and create their own blooms, symbolizing unity, compassion, and collective action. Learn more here.
31st Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast
Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 (9 a.m.–12 p.m.)
North Point High School
2500 Davis Road, Waldorf, MD 20603
Hosted by the Charles County NAACP Branch #7016, the annual prayer breakfast brings together faith leaders, elected officials, and community members for reflection and fellowship. The 2026 theme, The Fierce Urgency of Now, emphasizes Dr. King’s call for immediate action to pursue justice and equality. Ticket required. Learn more here.
MLK Day Children’s Book Reading
Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 (11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)
InstaCare Event Center
10579 Middleport Lane, White Plains, MD
Presented by the National Black Cultural Information Trust, Inc., this free, family-friendly program includes storytelling, a book fair, and arts and crafts. The event is designed to introduce young children to Dr. King’s values through age-appropriate activities and creative engagement. RSVP appreciated. Learn more here.
21st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Celebration
Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 (6:30–10 a.m.)
Campus Center – Great Room, St. Mary’s College of Maryland
47600 Mill Field Dr, St Marys City, MD 20686
Held under the theme Lighting the Way: Faith, Hope & Action, this prayer celebration is open to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the general public. Breakfast opens at 6:30 a.m. forsee purchase, with the program beginning at 8 a.m. Olympian and St. Mary’s County native Tanya Hughes will serve as the keynote speaker. The event also includes a donation drive supporting the Maryland Diaper Bank, local student food pantries, and the Robert J. Fuller House. Ticket required. Learn more here.
Second Annual MLK Day of Service
Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 (11 a.m.–3 p.m.)
Multiple locations across St. Mary’s County
Community members are invited to honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through hands-on service projects across St. Mary’s County. Volunteer opportunities will support local nonprofits, community spaces, and historic sites, with shifts lasting two to three hours. Transportation and snacks will be provided. Learn more here.
Celebrate Black History Month at Historic Bel Alton High School
Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026 (2–5 p.m.)
Bel Alton High School
9501 Crain Highway, Bel Alton, MD 20611
Hosted by Beyond the Classroom, the Black History Month celebration highlights the legacy of Charles County’s only remaining historically Black high school. The afternoon includes history presentations, building tours, performances, and interactive activities connecting national Black history with local lived experiences. Ticket required. Learn more here.
Got a tip or photo? Text us at 888-871-NEWS (6397) or email news@thebaynet.com.
Join The BayNet Membership for exclusive perks and zero ads.
Don’t miss a story—sign up for our newsletter!
The 19th is also Robert E. Lee’s birthday! You know, the West Point graduate engineer who devised a dike system to create a deep-water port in St. Louis and improving Mississippi River navigation, and was later the President of Washington-Lee University, who reformed it into a major learning institution.