Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration
SAVE THE DATE! 38th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade & Celebration
The City of Long Beach and Office of Sixth District Councilwoman Dr. Suely Saro proudly present the 38th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration, a family-friendly event honoring the life, legacy and values of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event will take place Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Central Long Beach.
The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration is a longstanding tradition that celebrates the diverse community of Central Long Beach. This festival serves to honor and keep alive the ideals of Dr. King through arts, remembrance and meaningful perspectives.
PARADE & CELEBRATION INFORMATION
The 2026 festivities will begin with the parade kickoff at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Anaheim Street, followed by the park celebration from noon to 5 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park (1950 Lemon Ave.). The park celebration will include a main stage with live entertainment, a kid zone, food and merchandise vendors, and more.
PARADE APPLICATION
Local businesses, nonprofit organizations and community groups interested in participating in the parade may submit a parade application now through Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Participants are encouraged to incorporate appropriate elements that honor the life and legacy of Dr. King, such as quotes, photos, banners or flags.
VOLUNTEER
The City is also seeking friendly, eager and enthusiastic volunteers to support the parade and park celebration. Volunteers must be ages 18 years or older, and responsibilities will include standing at barricades to ensure the safety and enjoyment of parade participants and spectators, staffing the information booth, trash collection and general assistance with event set up and break down. Residents, local businesses, nonprofit organizations and community groups interested in volunteering at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration can find more information and sign up for volunteer shifts via the online registration link.
NOMINATE GRAND MARSHALS
Community members are invited to nominate grand marshals for this year’s parade and celebration. The City is seeking people whose work embodies the legacy of Dr. King and those who have made a lasting impact in areas such as civic engagement and service; social justice advocacy; philanthropy; youth recognition; arts, sports and culture; and community achievement.
FOOD VENDOR APPLICATIONS
The City is seeking food vendors to participate in the Celebration at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. Applications are due by Dec. 18 and must contain all necessary information for celebration entry. Food vendors must have a City of Long Beach business license and submit a temporary food facility application
More information will be added to this event page as it becomes available.
The City’s Racial Equity and Reconciliation report aligns with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s core values of unity, civil rights and standing together. The report emphasizes the importance of addressing systemic racism and historical inequities that have harmed Black, Latinx, Cambodian and other communities of color, and highlights how systemic barriers in areas like health, education and economic wellbeing have persisted. The report calls for centering those historically excluded to achieve true justice and equity for all members of the community, a core value exemplified through Dr. King’s work, who emphasized the importance of collective liberation, recognizing that justice for one group uplifts the entire community. Long Beach is committed to honoring Dr. King’s legacy by working to eliminate systemic barriers, promote shared prosperity and ensure all voices are valued and heard in the pursuit of racial equity.
EVENT SPONSORS
The 2026 Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration is presented by the City of Long Beach and Office of Sixth District Councilwoman Dr. Suely Saro with additional sponsorship from: Port of Long Beach.
