MLK Day events at the Apollo—plus more things to see and do this holiday weekend.
Friday, January 17 at 7:30pm
Central Harlem The Apollo Stages at the Victoria, 233 W 125th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr and Frederick Douglass Blvds
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of this classic romantic comedy set in Harlem starring James Earl Jones and Diahann Carroll.
Saturday, January 18 10am-2pm
Central Harlem Clayton Williams Memorial Garden, 303 W 126th St between Frederick Douglass Blvd and St. Nicholas Ave
Join other volunteers to clean up debris and spread mulch at this community garden in Harlem.
Saturday, January 18 at 11am
Sugar Hill Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art & Storytelling, 898 St. Nicholas Ave at 155th St
Griots in Concert featuring Dr. Linda H. Humes and master drummer Sanga of the Valley celebrate MLK's birthday with stories, music and song.
Sunday, January 19 at 2pm FREE
Central Harlem The Apollo, 253 W 125th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr and Frederick Douglass Blvds
Harlem's legendary theater and WNYC continue their tradition of celebrating MLK's legacy with a discussion focused on democracy and civil rights under a second Trump administration. You can also listen to the program on WNYC on Monday, January 20 at 2pm and 8pm.
Monday, January 20 at 2:30pm FREE
Central Harlem The Apollo Stages at the Victoria, 233 W 125th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr and Frederick Douglass Blvds
Local and national youth leaders discuss Dr. King's enduring influence on food and environmental justice.
Monday, January 20 from dusk to midnight
Washington Heights George Washington Bridge
The bridge's iconic criss-crossed steel towers are illuminated from dusk to midnight on major holidays—and Martin Luther King Jr. Day is one.
In case you missed it:
Weekends starting Fridays at 8pm
Sugar Hill 750A St. Nicholas Ave between W 147th and W 148th Sts
This Black-owned comedy club—the only one in NYC—kicks off the weekend with two live shows every Friday, including the weekly Harlem Evenings Comedy Show hosted by Rashad Bashir at 10:30pm.
November 17-February 17; Sun-Tues & Thu 10am-5pm, Fri & Sat 10am-9pm
Upper East Side The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave and E 82nd St
Explore how Black artists past and present have forged a connection with ancient Egypt through painting, sculpture, music, and—a first for the Met—performance, in the exhibition's special "Performance Pyramid." Site-specific works at three Harlem subway and train stations are also included.
Fri 6pm-9pm, Sat & Sun 1pm-4pm, 6pm-9pm
West Harlem Skating Rink at Riverbank State Park, entrance at Riverside Drive and 145th St
Lace up your skates: ice skating season is in full swing at Riverbank State Park.
October 10-February 9; 11am-5pm
East Harlem El Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Ave at 104th St
The museum's second large survey of Latinx contemporary art—featuring 33 artists from across the U.S., Puerto Rico and beyond—touching on themes such as transformation, hybrid belonging, and collective memories.
September 14-February 16; Thu 1pm-5pm, Fri 10am-5pm, Sat & Sun 10am-3pm
Sugar Hill Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art & Storytelling, 898 St. Nicholas Ave at W 155th St
The latest exhibits at this beloved children's museum include "Order/Reorder: Experiments with Collections" from the Hudson River Museum and "David Antonio Cruz: When the Children Come Home."
August 2-February 28, 2025; Mon-Sat 10am-6pm FREE
Central Harlem Schomburg Center, 515 Malcolm X Blvd at W 135th St
The Schomburg, home to the archives of James Baldwin, is celebrating the Harlem-born novelist's 100th birthday with highlights from his literary career.
Wednesday-Sunday 10am-5pm FREE
Hamilton Heights 414 W 141st St between St. Nicholas and Convent Aves
Go on a free tour of founding father Alexander Hamilton's historic uptown home, including a stroll through the parlor, dining room and study.
Weekends until 3:45am
Central Harlem Shrine, 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between W 133rd and W 134th Sts
This gem of a live music venue kicks into high gear on the weekends with a mix of jazz, funk, blues, and even comedy—ending with DJ sets that run into the early morning.
