Events and closures for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in San Diego
Jan 17, 2026
The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be celebrated in San Diego Sunday and Monday with a series of community events.
Here is what’s happening on Sunday around San Diego County:
44th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade
Hosted by San Diego Alpha Foundation and Zeta Sigma Lambd
a Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Starts at 11 a.m. at the Embarcadero on Harbor Drive
Floats, high school bands, drill teams, colleges/universities, fraternities, sororities, churches and peace and youth organizations
San Diego MTS will debut its newly wrapped bus commemorating Black History Month during the event
MLK 5K Walk/Run
Hosted by San Diego Alphas
Starts at 9 a.m. at the corner of Harbor Drive and Ash Street
MLK Harmony Health Festival
9 a.m. at Waterfront Park, located at 1600 Pacific Highway
MLK Weekend RB Block Party
Hosted by Quartyard at 5 p.m.
Here is what’s happening on Monday around San Diego County:
38th annual All Peoples Celebration
Hosted by Alliance San Diego
Starts at 10 a.m. at the Balboa Park Activity Center, located at 2145 Park Blvd.
Feature keynote speaker, B.A. Parker, co-host of NPR’s “Code Switch,” and live performances from transcenDance Youth Arts, Olivia Mercedes and J. Pierre
37th Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration
Hosted by WorldBeat Cultural Center
From 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. in Balboa Park at 2100 Park Blvd.
Free, all-ages event
Feature live performances, guest speakers and craft vendors
Also Monday, California residents and visitors will receive free vehicle day-use entry to participating California state parks. The free- admission day is made possible by the California State Parks Foundation.
“Partnerships like this help remove barriers and ensure more Californians can experience the natural and cultural treasures that belong to all of us,” said Armando Quintero, California State Parks director.
Participating county parks include:
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park;
Border Field State Park;
Cardiff State Beach;
Carlsbad State Beach;
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park;
Palomar Mountain State Park;
San Elijo State Beach;
San Onofre State Beach;
San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park;
Silver Strand State Beach;
South Carlsbad State Beach;
Tijuana Estuary National Park Point of Interest;
Torrey Pines State Beach; and
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Outside of the festivities, numerous city and county offices and other county-owned facilities such as family resource centers, library branches, county public health clinics, and animal shelters will be closed Monday.
County parks, campgrounds and neighborhood day-use parks remain open 365 days a year. However, the following locations will be closed Monday:
Fallbrook Community Center;
Lakeside Community Center;
Spring Valley Community Center;
Spring Valley Gymnasium;
4S Ranch Recreation Office only (all parks will be open);
Valley Center Community Hall and;
Adams Park Pool
On Monday, MTS services will have normal weekday operating schedules.
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