Wondering when MLK day is in Maine this year? It’s Monday, January 16, 2023
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a federal holiday recognized nationwide, including in Maine.
MLK Day in Maine 2023
While schools and other offices may be closed, museums and other cultural attractions will be open. And many are celebrating MLK day in Maine with a variety of programming for children and adults.
Here are the places you can go, online and in person, in Southern Maine to enjoy free and cheap events that celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Lewiston
All of the MLK Day events in Lewiston appear to be connected to Bates College. Unless noted otherwise, all events are free and open to the public.
Finally, even though these events have free admission, they do require you to reserve a ticket. This is to ensure there is space to accommodate all that are interested.
Bates College
Bates College has two full days of programming for MLK Day. You can get the full rundown of free events at the college’s MLK Day page. These events, under the heading “Art & Activism: Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2023,” range from film screenings to theatre workshops to panel discussions.
MLK Day in Portland, Maine
At least two cultural institutions have programming for MLK Day in Maine for 2023. You’ll find the details below.
Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine
MLK Day is all weekend long at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. Here is the rundown of special programming at CMTM. All is free with admission.
Speaking of free admission, the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine participates in Museums for All.
Saturday, January 14, 2023
Blackbird Exhibit Illustration Investigation
Dive deep into the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine’s Beautiful Blackbird gallery for Illustration Investigation, an interactive program where visitors become storytellers and art comes to life!
10 a.m., 1:30 p.m.
Black is a Rainbow Color & I AM LOVED Activities
The MakerSpace will host art activities celebrating the poem I AM LOVED by Nikki Giovanni and Black is a Rainbow Color, a book by Angela Joy. During this hour-long workshop, you can make collages inspired by Black artists and poets.
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 15, 2023
Blackbird Exhibit Illustration Investigation
10 a.m., 1:30 p.m.
Ebenezer Akakpo adinkra Art Project
Acclaimed artist Ebenezer Akakpo will be in the MakerSpace hosting an adinkra art project. Makers will work with cutouts of adinkra symbols to create their very own sculptural pieces to take home.
Adinkra, shown above, are a wide-spanning set of symbols coming from Ghanaian traditions. These symbols represent traditional knowledge, ways of living, and land/environment.
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Black is a Rainbow Color & I AM LOVED Activities
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Monday, January 16, 2023
Blackbird Exhibit Illustration Investigation
10 a.m., 1:30 p.m.
Ebenezer Akakpo adinkra Art Project
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Black is a Rainbow Color & I AM LOVED Activities
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The BTS Center
Despite its name, the Bangor Theological Seminary (BTS) Center is located in Portland. Together with the Maine Council of Churches, The BTS Center is hosting an online-only event on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
At 12:15 on Monday, January 16, you can log on for “Committed to Listen: A Public Reading of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail.”
You’ll need to register online first to participate. However, it is free to attend.
Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine
250 Thompsons Point Rd,
Portland, ME 04102
(207) 828-1234