Martin Luther King Day, Jr. observances in Wellesley (and beyond), 2026

EVENT: World of Wellesley’s Twenty-Sixth Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day program and lunch celebration
DATE: Monday, January 19, 2026
TIME: 11am-1:30pm
LOCATION: Tishman Commons, Wellesley College
CLICK HERE to register and purchase tickets ($30/per person). For each purchase made, a percentage of seats will be reserved for community members who qualify for financial assistance. Students and community members for whom ticket cost is a barrier are encouraged to contact info@worldofwellesley.org
PARKING: Davis Parking Lot
ACCESSIBILITY: Wellesley College is ADA compliant

DESCRIPTION: Join World of Wellesley for a meaningful and inspiring gathering centered on the theme of Hope and Resilience, exploring Dr. King’s legacy through a distinctive and powerful lens.

This year’s program features keynote speaker J.R. Harris, a renowned wilderness explorer, author, and speaker whose life’s work reflects courage, endurance, and moral clarity. For more than sixty years, Harris has undertaken long-distance wilderness expeditions in some of the most remote and challenging environments in the world, often alone and unsupported. His experiences navigating uncertainty, persistence, and inner resolve offer a compelling parallel to Dr. King’s teachings on conviction, resilience, and the courage to move forward even when the path is unclear.

Harris is the author of Way Out There: Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker, named one of Backpacker magazine’s “50 Best Hiking, Trekking, and Walking Books of All Time,” and is the subject of the documentary Born Curious. He has spoken widely at schools, universities, and organizations across the country, sharing stories that encourage reflection, connection, and a deeper understanding of how hope is sustained through action. His keynote will invite us to consider Dr. King’s legacy not only as a historical narrative, but as a lived practice rooted in resilience, imagination, and the belief that dignity and belonging extend across all spaces we inhabit.

Town of Wellesley schedule

All Town of Wellesley offices, departments, and schools will be closed all day on Monday, January 19 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

The Recycling and Disposal Facility (RDF) will also be closed all day.

Regular business will resume on Tuesday, January 20. Please check individual department webpages on the Town website for specific hours open to the public.

Beyond Wellesley, MLK Day

EVENT: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration and Observance
DATE: Monday, January 19, 2026
TIME: doors open at 9:30am for refreshments; program runs 10am-11:30am
LOCATION: Needham High School Auditorium, 609 Webster St, Needham, MA 02494
COST: Free
REGISTRATION: None needed, but you can RSVP here

DESCRIPTION: The featured program, entitled “We the People”, is a collaboration between Needham Public School students and the OrigNation Cultural Arts Center. It includes performances of music, song, dance, spoken word, and large scale puppetry.

Celebrate MLK Day with a Kindness Service Event

EVENT: MLK Day of Service: Share Joy Through Letters
DATE: Monday, Jan. 19
TIME: 11am-1pm
LOCATION: Wells Ave Y, 135 Wells Ave, Newton
COST: Free

DESCRIPTION: Loneliness affects nearly 40% of adults aged 45 and older. Together, we can make a difference for seniors in local nursing homes who may feel disconnected. All supplies will be provided. Can’t attend? Drop off your letters at either West Suburban YMCA branch in Newton by Friday, January 23. For more information, visit wsymca.org.

Beyond Wellesley, Black History Month

EVENT: Sheffield Chamber Players, Black History Month family concert
DATE: Feb. 15, 2026
TIME: 3pm
LOCATION: The Strand Theatre, 543 Columbia Rd., Boston
COST: Free

DESCRIPTION: The program will highlight Black composers, including works by Daniel Bernard Roumain, Kevin Day and Margaret Bonds, alongside a new commissioned piece created from musical ideas drafted by City Strings students. City Strings, Sheffield, and a combined ensemble will each perform, culminating in a vibrant collaborative finale.