This January, Houston is making history. For the first time in over 30 years, the city’s two major MLK Day parades are merging into one unified celebration. Children’s Museum Houston and Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center are also hosting their own powerful MLK tributes featuring music, art, storytelling, and hands-on activities.
It’s a moment that proves Dr. King’s vision of unity is still alive—and Houstonians are ready to march together.
The Historic MLK Unity Parade—January 19 at 10 a.m. Downtown
The MLK Unity Parade will start on San Jacinto Street downtown and include a spectacular lineup of college and high school marching bands, floats, community groups, cultural organizations, and faith-based leaders.
The City of Houston will host the first MLK Unity Parade honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 10 a.m. It will be free and open to the public.
This is monumental. For 32 years, Houston hosted two separate MLK Day parades—the Original MLK Parade founded in 1978 by civil rights activist Ovide Duncantell and the MLK Grande Parade begun in 1995 by Charles Stamps. The split was criticized nationally as a symbol of disunity that contradicted Dr. King’s message of unity and togetherness.
Mayor John Whitmire changed that. After weeks of discussions with both parade organizations, they agreed to unite.
“I ran for mayor to unite our city, and this celebration of unity in January will be a perfect opportunity to honor Dr. King’s life and legacy,” said Mayor Whitmire.
The parade’s theme is “Embracing the Oneness of Humanity”—a direct reflection of Dr. King’s dream.
Who’s Leading the Parade
Special guests are expected to include Rev. Dr. Derek King, a nephew of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Jeffrey Peck, the great-grandson of W.E.B Du Bois. Grand marshals include Madd Hatta (KMJQ Majic 102.1 FM), Charles Stamps (Chairman of MLK Grande Parade), and Mayor Whitmire. Co-grand marshals are Debora Nixon, RN, and retired Houston Fire Department firefighter Freddie Jackson.
Having a nephew of Dr. King march alongside Houston’s community leaders sends a powerful message: this isn’t just a parade. This is family reconnecting with the movement Dr. King started.
The Route & Getting There
The parade route: San Jacinto St & Pease St → North on San Jacinto St → West on Preston St → Houston City Hall.
The parade originates in downtown Houston, making it accessible from everywhere in the city.
METRO Partnership METRO will offer complimentary rides to the MLK Parade. METRO’s three rail lines will take you right into the heart of downtown and the parade route. Trains are running every few minutes, so it’s the fastest way to join the celebration. Many local bus routes connect directly to the downtown area. Plan your trip using the RideMETRO app or RideMETRO.org.
Free parking + free transit = no excuse not to show up. Take the light rail downtown. Park and ride. Grab a friend. Go march for unity.
Children’s Museum Houston: 30 Years of Honoring Dr. King
While the downtown parade is happening, Children’s Museum Houston is hosting its 30th annual MLK Day celebration—a kid-centered experience that brings Dr. King’s message to life through music, art, and hands-on activities.
Saturday, January 17, beginning at noon
The Museum’s Kids’ Committee is leading the charge with an interactive program that makes Dr. King’s legacy real and relevant for the next generation.
What’s happening:
A Peace March through Kids’ Hall—a meaningful, family-friendly moment where young voices and hopeful hearts unite to honor a legacy rooted in courage, compassion, and positive change.
Actor Steve Scott will perform a reenactment of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. Kids will see the power of words and vision.
Live musical performances by Dr. Kiana Williams featuring powerful selections: “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” “A Change Is Gonna Come,” and “Happy Birthday.” Music connects people. Music inspires change. Music brings Dr. King’s movement into the present moment.
Live speed painting by artist Ange Hillz—creativity in action, visual storytelling showing how art is resistance and celebration.
Dove Garland crafting—create a dove inspired by Dr. King’s vision of unity and take it home.
Dream Art—turn your big ideas about your family, friends, or future into colorful cloud art to cherish.
Special Story Time & Craft sponsored by Phillips 66—learn about kindness and inclusion, then create your own Unity Peace Doves.
This is what honoring Dr. King looks like when you center kids: they’re not just learning about history. They’re participating in it. They’re creating. They’re dreaming. They’re becoming the next generation of changemakers.
Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center Celebration
Saturday, January 17, all day
Families in the Fort Bend area can also honor Dr. King’s legacy at Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center with:
Peace Flower Workshop—create your own Peace Flower while reflecting on Dr. King’s powerful message of freedom and equality.
MLK Day Storytimes and Craft—enjoy stories centered on kindness and inclusion, followed by hands-on activities creating Unity Peace Doves.
Dove Garland—celebrate Dr. King’s message of peace by creating a dove garland symbolizing unity and hope.
Dream Art—turn big ideas about your family, friends, or future into colorful cloud art to display with pride.
It’s the same message delivered in two locations: Dr. King’s dream is alive. It’s in your hands. It’s in your creativity. It’s in your voice.
Why This Moment Matters
Houston is doing something powerful in January. The city is saying: we choose unity. We choose to honor Dr. King’s vision by actually living it—two competing organizations merging into one celebration. Two museums centering children in the story of civil rights. One city marching together.
That’s not just remembrance. That’s action.
For 32 years, the split between the Original MLK Parade and the MLK Grande Parade was seen as a contradiction to Dr. King’s message. Now, with these organizations uniting, Houston is demonstrating what actual unity looks like—not forced agreement, but genuine partnership toward a common goal.
Mayor Whitmire didn’t mandate this. He facilitated conversations. He trusted community leaders. He believed it could happen. And it did.
Your Weekend Plans
Saturday, January 17:
- Children’s Museum Houston: MLK Celebration, noon-5 p.m.
- Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center: All-day MLK activities
Monday, January 19:
- Houston MLK Unity Parade: Downtown, 10 a.m., free and open to public
- Take METRO light rail directly to the parade
- Bring your family, friends, neighbors
- March for unity
This is what it looks like when a city decides to honor its values. When museums center kids in justice movements. When competing organizations choose unity over division. When a mayor actually delivers on a promise to unite.
Go. Celebrate. March. Dream. Create. This is Houston honoring Dr. King the way he’d want to be honored—together.
