Photo courtesy of Eastern State Penitentiary.
“True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr. from his 1957 book, Stride Toward Freedom
This month commemorates the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, exploring the enduring fight to hold America accountable to the promises of equality outlined in the Declaration of Independence. The federal holiday will take on greater meaning as American politics swiftly changes and the nation collectively celebrates its 250th birthday. The celebration will put Philadelphia, the nation’s birthplace in 1776, squarely at the center. In the coming days, consider taking part in or attending some of these enlightening activities – many of which will observe the King holiday and his dream for humanity, equality, and freedom.
The Black Breath Collective. Photo courtesy of Eastern State.
Celebrate Civil Rights & Martin Luther King Day
Saturday, January 17 to Monday, January 19, 2026 (the Martin Luther King federal holiday). Explore hands-on activities about civil rights, civic responsibility, and America’s founding ideals at Eastern State Penitentiary’s The Civil Rights Movement: Finding Justice. Historic Eastern State is America’s first penitentiary. The program will include Freedom Poetry inspired by Langston Hughes and others who wrote about Civil Rights, as well as poetry by those once incarcerated at Eastern State. Create your own poem envisioning justice in your life. Enjoy Family Story Station featuring children’s books about the Civil Rights Movement. 11 a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST. In a separate program, recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a two-hour experience about “the ongoing struggle to hold America accountable to its founding promise.” Through music from the Black Breath Collective, storytelling, and readings, hear the words and actions of people who struggled for civil rights. Dr. Keith Reeves, professor of political science at Swarthmore College, will lead a discussion. The event will be available in-person or online. Adults: Individual tickets, $17;free for kids ages 12 and under. Noon to 2:15 p.m. EST. For all ages. Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, 2027 Fairmount Ave. 215-236-3300 or https://easternstate.org/events/details/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-day or https://ticketing.easternstate.org/events/019b31dd-a785-bad6-172d-9f503f6217b1
Harlem Steps Up With The Classical & Contemporary
Friday, January 16, 2026, to Sunday, January 18, 2026. Dance Theatre of Harlem, led by Philadelphia native Robert Garland, brings the energy every time with classical ballet mixed with contemporary works by a talented troupe of dancers. Get a taste of the Dance Theatre of Harlem experience with performances of Robert Garland, set to James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and more; the Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude by William Forsythe, set to Franz Schubert, and Take Me With You by Robert Bondara, set to Radiohead and Donizetti Variations by George Balanchine, set to Gaetano Donizetti. Single tickets: $59 to $119; show times: 2:30 p.m. EST & 7:30 p.m. EST. Penn Live Arts, University of Pennsylvania / Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St. 215-898-3900 or https://pennlivearts.org/event/DTH2026
Young Hip-hop Artist Dreams Big In ‘Havana Hop’
Saturday, January 17, 2026 & Sunday, January 18, 2026. Check out Paige Hernandez’s theatrical production Havana Hop: A Children’s Tale of Confidence and Identity. It’s the story of young dancer Yeila whose shyness leads to stage fright, as she chases her dreams of hip-hop stardom. With support from her mother and mentors, Yeila embarks on her personal journey to find her multi-cultural roots. This helps with her confidence. She visits her grandmother in Cuba and is able to add a spice of salsa to her developing hip-hop style. Dance along in this participatory play. Music by Nick “Nick tha 1da” Hernandez and Kris Funn. Enjoy a “relaxed performance” designed for children with sensory sensitivities on Sunday, at 3 p.m. EST. Philadelphia Theatre Company, Suzanne Roberts Theatre /480 South Broad St. Single tickets: $20 to $40; show times: 11 a.m. EST; 2:30 p.m. EST. & 3 p.m. EST. 215-985-0420 or https://philadelphiatheatrecompany.org/havana-hop/
Kids To Build Confidence, Creativity & Curiosity
Monday, January 19, 2026. Visit the Please Touch Museum to honor the lasting legacy of MLK Jr. Kids can explore hands-on activities that empower them to use their voices, creativity, and curiosity to make a difference. Kids will connect through STEM, visual and performing arts, textiles, and music. They will enjoy hands-on activities with Music Theatre Philly, Little Yoga Squad, Allens Lane Art Center, Nafees Innovations Academy, and PME Drumline. Individual tickets: adults & kids: $24; military, firefighters-police personnel: $22. Please Touch Museum, Memorial Hall, 4231 Avenue of the Republic / Fairmount Park. Email: info@pleasetouchmuseum.org, 215-581-3181 or https://ptm.ticketapp.org/portal/product/55/events
Photo courtesy of the United Negro College Fund.
Study In Another Country This Summer
If you are an American college student who is between your junior and senior year, this opportunity may be for you. Check out the United Negro College Fund’s Berbeco Senior Research Fellowship Program, which provides a structured study program for credits abroad. The experience is designed to encourage students to expand their horizons and complete their studies or research outside of the United States this summer. You must have at least a 2.50 grade point average, be a permanent U.S. citizen, and attend a college affiliated with the United College Negro Fund. The application deadline is by 5 p.m. EST on Tuesday, January 20: 2025-2026 Berbeco Senior Research Fellowship or https://opportunities.uncf.org/s/program-landing-page?id=a2iVJ00000fnYddYAE
Workshop Eyes A Future Of ‘Freedom, Joy, and Belonging’
Wednesday, January 21, 2026. WOMEN’S WAY’s virtual series, Closing the Gender Wealth Gap Forum: Freedom, Joy, and Belonging, will be an important conversation about the freedom to pursue joy and leisure, and find wellness communities with no structural biases. The session will focus on women and gender-expansive people and their right “to be valued, connected, and free to dream.” Learn valuable insight from organizations building an inclusive community through a mutual interest in art, identity, and tradition. Jos Duncan Asé, Founder & Executive Director at Love Now Media, will be the moderator for panelists Jasper Liem, Executive Director of The Attic Youth Center; Candace McKinley, Lead Organizer of Philadelphia Community Bail Fund, and Kiera Smalls, Executive Director of Running Industry Diversity Coalition. Free but a donation of at least $10 would be appreciated; 4 p.m. EST to 5:30 p.m. EST. Email: jmuslin@womensway.org, womensway.org/freedom+joy
The ‘Changing Face of Independence’ exhibit delves into enslaved Africans’ move in America from the South along the Underground Railroad.
A Look At The ‘Changing Faces of Independence’
Thursday, January 22, 2026, through Friday, April 24, 2026. Check out the opening of the provocative exhibit, The Changing Face of Independence: Pennsylvania in the 1800s. In the wake of America’s 250th birthday, it will take a timely look at the founding documents created by American ancestors. It will draw from the archival treasure trove of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. The show will reflect on the Centennial Celebration in Philadelphia in 1876 when German and Irish immigrants arrived in Pennsylvania, and free and enslaved Africans moved from the South through the Underground Railroad, and examine the period following Emancipation of the Civil War. The exhibit will focus on the lives of the new inhabitants and how they saw their roles. It probes how the makeup of Americans and the founding ideals have changed since the American Revolution. Free but pre-register, 6 p.m. EST (opening reception) to 8 p.m. EST. Refreshments. Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust St. Email: programs@hsp.org or 215-732-6200 or https://www.portal.hsp.org/exhibits
