Join the city of Aurora and community partners to honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The city's 39th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration in January 2025 is themed "Let Freedom Ring."

Download event flyer (8.5x11)

2025 Schedule of Events 

This schedule is subject to change, please check this page frequently for event updates. 

Saturday, Jan. 11

The Local Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  

Learn about Dr. King’s visits to the Denver area and engage with a panel of historians, scholars and Aurora community members.

• 4 to 5:30 p.m. 

• Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway

• Register for Local Legacy of MLK Jr. event

Monday, Jan. 13

Opening Celebration, Prayer Vigil and Proclamation Reading 

An opening celebration featuring performances to celebrate MLK Jr.’s legacy. Refreshments to be provided followed by an interfaith prayer vigil and the reading of the MLK commemoration proclamation.

• 5 to 7 p.m.

• Aurora Municipal Center Lobby, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway

Tuesday, Jan. 14

At the Table with Dr. King 

A captivating musical performance that immerses audiences in the sights and sounds of the American Civil Rights movement. This event is a partnership with the Mizel Museum. 

• 6 to 7 p.m. 

• Virtual program streamed at AuroraTV.org and Comcast channels 8 and 880

• Register for At the Table with Dr. King event 

Wednesday, Jan. 15

Aurora Speaks: Poetry and Prose Reading

Join Aurora Poet Laureate Ahja Fox to celebrate the Aurora Speaks exhibit of citizen poetry at the Aurora History Museum. 

• 6 to 8 p.m. 

• Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway

• Register for this event

Friday, Jan. 17

Interfaith Breakfast 

Event partners: Aurora Community of Faith (ACOF) and Aurora Mental Health & Recovery. Keynote speaker: Jatour Johnson of Conqueror’s Circle - Youth Mentorship & Leadership Program. Call 303.739.7699 with questions. 

• 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

• Quebec Place Event Center, 430 S. Quebec St. #2 in Denver

• RSVP by emailing [email protected]

• Please bring art and craft items to be donated to the Behavioral Health Care Settings Program for youth and adults. 

Community College of Aurora Virtual Student Film Fest

Event features films from Community College of Aurora students

• 6 p.m. 

• Virtual program streamed at AuroraTV.org and Comcast channels 8 and 880

Saturday, Jan. 18

Community Service Project 

Help city staff pack 1,000 hygiene kits for community members in need. A partnership with Justice Necessary. 

• 8 to 10:30 a.m. 

• Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 9898 E. Colfax Ave.

• Register for this community service project

Wreath-laying Ceremony 

City officials and community members will attend.

• 11 a.m. to noon 

• Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 9898 E. Colfax Ave.

Youth Talent Show

Talent shows participation requirements: Must be between 6 and 25 years old, and performance must be 2 to 2.5 minutes long. To sign up to participate, email Ms.Miller at [email protected] or Dr. Jones at [email protected]. 

• 1 to 3 p.m.

• New location: Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 9898 E. Colfax Ave.

Monday, Jan. 20

2025 MLK Marade

Event hosted by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission 

• Learn more: DrMartinLKingJrCHC.org 

Free Dinner Giveaway

Event hosted by Brother Jeff

• Noon to 3 p.m.

• Food pickup and delivery options

• Register to volunteer or order food

MLK Jr. African American Heritage Rodeo

• 6 p.m.

• Denver Coliseum, 4600 Humboldt St. Denver

• Tickets: NationalWestern.com/Rodeos

Donate to Spirit of Aurora

In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s work and legacy, consider making a donation to one of the many organizations and causes through the Spirit of Aurora website, AuroraGov.org/SpiritOfAurora.

Spirit of Aurora is a resident-founded, longtime nonprofit that funds various city and local community programs.

Thank you, partners 

• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Aurora Chapter (NAACP)  

• Aurora Community of Faith (ACOF)

• Aurora Human Relations Commission 

• Aurora Mental Health & Recovery 

• Aurora Library and Cultural Services

• Justice Necessary

• Racial equity and Aurora's Critical Topics (ReACT)

• Mizel Museum

And a special thanks to the Aurora MLK Commemoration Steering Committee  

Past Commemorations