The MLK Commemorative Commission is delighted to announce King Week 2026. This expansive and enriching series of events are meticulously crafted to honor the profound life, enduring legacy, and continuously evolving work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

As we embark on this commemorative journey, we are guided by this year’s resonant theme: “One Community, One Purpose, One Dream: A Call to Action.” This powerful message encapsulates the spirit of King Week, inviting the entire Knoxville community to deeply reflect on Dr. King’s timeless principles, foster meaningful connections with one another, and wholeheartedly recommit to his visionary ideals of justice, unity, and collective responsibility.

King Week 2026 will commence on Friday, January 2, 2026, with the highly anticipated Gallery of Arts Tribute, a vibrant and inspiring opening celebration designed to ignite dialogue and spark transformative change through the power of creative expression. The Gallery of Arts Tribute will showcase a diverse array of artistic mediums, including compelling visual art displays, thought-provoking spoken word performances, and captivating cultural expressions, all thoughtfully inspired by Dr. King’s monumental legacy and the vital, ongoing work of promoting equity and healing within our community.

Following the opening tribute, King Week will continue throughout the month of January, offering a comprehensive and engaging program of events meticulously designed to resonate with individuals of all ages and sectors of the community. Each event will consciously reflect the overarching theme of 2026, reinforcing its urgent call for meaningful participation and purposeful action in pursuit of a more just and equitable society for all. Join us as we celebrate, learn, and act together during King Week 2026.

King Week 2026 Schedule of Events

Friday, January 2 | 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Gallery of Arts Tribute
The Emporium Center

Saturday, January 10 | 1:30 pm
MLK Basketball Classic
Austin East vs. Fulton
Fulton High School

Wednesday, January 14 | 12:00 pm
Interfaith Prayer Service
Mount Olive Baptist Church

Thursday, January 15 | 8:30 am
Leadership Education Symposium
University of Tennessee – Student Union

Thursday, January 15 | 12:00 pm
Thomas “Tank” Strickland Leadership Awards Luncheon
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Marc Lamont Hill
University of Tennessee – Student Union
Sold Out

Friday, January 16 | 7:00 pm
Community Forum
Beck Cultural Exchange Center
Saturday, January 17 | 8:30 am

Youth Summit
Austin East High School
Registration open

Sunday, January 18 | 6:00 pm–8:00 pm
Night With the Arts
Community Evangelistic Church

Monday, January 19 | 12:00 pm–2:00 pm
MLK Memorial Tribute Service
Overcoming Believers Church

“King Week is not just a celebration of history,” said representatives of the MLK Commemorative Commission. “It is a call to action that challenges each of us to participate in building a more just, inclusive, and compassionate community.”

The MLK Commemorative Commission encourages the public to attend the Gallery of Arts Tribute on January 2 and to engage fully in the events throughout King Week 2026. Additional details, locations, and updates are available at www.mlkknoxville.com.