DALLAS — A two-day Martin Luther King Jr. weekend initiative will bring large-scale volunteer service, public art and a neighborhood celebration to South Dallas later this month.
MLK Fest 2026, organized by Reactivate Dallas, a program of The Walls Project, is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 16, and Saturday, Jan. 17.
The event is designed to pair remembrance with hands-on action through community cleanups, mural installations and a public block party centered around the MLK Community Center.
The weekend begins Friday with a corporate volunteer day starting at 9 a.m. Teams and individual volunteers will check in at the MLK Community Center, 2922 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., before being assigned to service projects across South Dallas that address neighborhood needs.
Saturday’s activities expand into a community-wide effort, with organizers planning a large-scale cleanup spanning 10 zones throughout South Dallas.
More than 2,500 volunteers are expected to take part in tasks such as clearing sidewalks, mowing grass and improving vacant lots.
Alongside the cleanup, local artists will collaborate on a new mural honoring Black history and culture. The 2026 installation will draw inspiration from Juanita Craft, a longtime Dallas civil rights leader known for her work toward desegregation and voting rights.
The weekend will conclude with a public resource fair and block party at noon Saturday at the MLK Community Center.
The event will feature live entertainment, community resources, food trucks, craft vendors and activities for children.
Organizers credited support from sponsors including Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, Texas Trees Foundation, City of Dallas, UT Southwestern Medical Center, American Airlines, MetroCare Services and The Ryan Foundation.
Registration and additional details are available at reactivatedallas.com.
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