About Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on the third Monday of January, near Dr. King's January 15 birthday. The countdown above targets the next observance of America's newest civil-rights holiday tradition — MLK Day 2027 falls on January 18.
Signed into law in 1983 and first observed federally in 1986, the day honors Dr. King's leadership of the civil rights movement and his philosophy of nonviolence. It is officially designated a national day of service — "a day on, not a day off" — with volunteer projects across the country.
Upcoming dates
| 2027 | Monday, January 18, 2027next |
| 2028 | Monday, January 17, 2028 |
| 2029 | Monday, January 15, 2029 |
| 2030 | Monday, January 21, 2030 |
| 2031 | Monday, January 20, 2031 |
FAQ
When is MLK Day 2027?
Monday, January 18, 2027 — the third Monday of January.
Why the third Monday of January?
It keeps the observance near Dr. King's birthday (January 15) while creating a uniform Monday holiday.
What is the day of service?
MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of volunteer service in Dr. King's honor.