Martin Luther King Day Events in Indianapolis

The Indianapolis Museum of Art is one of several venues offering free admission in connection with Martin Luther King Day. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2015, all rights reserved.

By Amanda Dorman
Downtown Indy, Inc.

Celebrate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by taking advantage of special offerings in Downtown Indy. FREE admission to Downtown’s top attractions, volunteer opportunities and more help make this year’s tribute to the iconic civil rights leader a fun, meaningful one for the family. To view all these events online, visit: www.downtownindy.org/event-collection/42/martin-luther-king-jr-day.

Indianapolis Museum of Art

FREE admission on Sunday, Jan. 17 from 1 – 5 p.m.

The IMA is partnering with local artists to offer an afternoon of written, spoken and interactive expressions of love in the galleries. Guests can spread messages of love inspired by works of art or the world around them. Poets and performers, curated in partnership with Old Soul Entertainment, will present throughout the afternoon (1 – 4 p.m.)

White River State Park

Receive FREE admission Monday, Jan. 18 with a donation of one non-perishable food item per person, per attraction for Gleaner’s Food Bank.

• Eiteljorg Museum: Enjoy the museum’s holiday exhibit, Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure and the Contemporary Art Fellowship exhibit, CONVERSATIONS, plus the museum’s world-class art collection. Be sure to check out the lunch specials at the Eiteljorg Museum Café.
• Indiana State Museum: Enjoy films, activities and performance. Visitors can see first-hand two of the documents that laid the foundation for equality:  the Emancipation Proclamation and 13th Amendment. Actors from the Phoenix Theatre will present excerpts from “Butler.” Eskenazi Health and the Indianapolis Indians will offer free health screenings at the Museum from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants will receive a complimentary ticket to Opening Night at Victory Field.
• Indianapolis Zoo: Walk the grounds and see animals, especially the ones that love the cooler temperatures. Visitors can also enjoy a free Dolphin Adventure Show.
• NCAA Hall of Champions: Visitors can shoot hoops in the NCAA Hall of Champions court where current and former student athletes lead classes. At 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., watch the film “Game of Change,” involving the 1963 NCAA men’s basketball tournament regional semifinal.
• IMAX Theatre: Experience the film “Hubble: The IMAX Experience” shown for FREE as space permits at 10 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 12:20 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:40 p.m. Tickets are typically sold out by noon.

Day of Service volunteer opportunity through IUPUI

On Saturday, January 16 from 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., hundreds of students, faculty and guests will volunteer at various sites around Indianapolis for the IUPUI Day of Service – a tribute to Dr. King’s commitment to service and social justice. Participants meet at the IUPUI Campus Center.

Indiana Historical Society

FREE admission on Monday, Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Visitors can enjoy performances, programs and service opportunities, as well as the award winning Indiana Experience. Watch a short play featuring Hoosier reactions to Robert F. Kennedy’s speech in Indianapolis the night Dr. King was assassinated, view original materials related to MLK and the Civil Rights Movement in Indiana and pack care packages to benefit Wheeler Mission.

IHS and HealthNet are setting a goal to collect 500 much-needed winter clothing items. From Jan. 11 – Jan. 18, IHS will accept donations of new or gently-used winter coats, hats, gloves, mittens and scarves. The items will benefit the HealthNet Homeless Initiative Program, which serves more than 3,000 homeless individuals in Marion County each year.

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

FREE admission on Monday, Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Visitors can enjoy activities, storytelling and performances by The Griot Drum Ensemble.

Rhythm! Discovery Center

FREE admission on Monday, Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Join Indianapolis Jazz Foundation for a kid-friendly jazz concert with the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation at 11 a.m. in celebration of King.

Harlem Globetrotters

The iconic Harlem Globetrotters come to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. See incredible ball handling wizardry and enjoy some good laughs with the family. Tickets start at $23.

For more information, call 317-237-2222.