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.
Because the holiday is fixed to the third Monday of January, its exact date shifts each year but always falls between January 15 and 21, creating a long weekend in the depths of winter. Schools and many workplaces close, and commemorations range from marches and speeches to readings of King's "I Have a Dream" address. Add MLK Day to your own page to count down to the next observance.
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.
How is MLK Day commemorated?
With volunteer service projects, marches, interfaith services, speeches and readings of Dr. King's words — especially his 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech — alongside the long-weekend closure of schools and offices.