Opal Lee and Brenda Polk carried the banner at the MLK memorial walk along Rosedale Street in 1986. | Photo courtesy of the UTA Libraries.
Each year,Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed as a federal holiday on the third Monday of January. This year, that is Monday, Jan. 20. Most municipal buildings, public libraries, schools, and community centers will be closed but there won’t be changes to residential waste collection or emergency services. Trinity Metro will operate on a modified schedule.
This year’s theme is “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence365,” according to The King Center — a nonprofit founded by civil rights activist and MLK’s late wife, Coretta Scott King, to continue Dr. King’s legacy.
Aside from lending a hand, you can also commemorate MLK Day at these local events:
40th Annual MLK Parade and Rally | Monday, Jan. 20 | Downtown Fort Worth | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | See floats, classic cars, and walking groups as they commemorate Dr. King’s dream and celebrate unity.
Cowboys of Color Rodeo and After Party | Monday, Jan. 20 | Dickies Arena + The Warehouse FW | 2-4 p.m. | The top Black, Hispanic, and Native American cowboys and cowgirls compete in traditional rodeo events like bull riding, steer wrestling, and tie-down roping.
Events
Events
Thursday, Jan. 16
Beyond the Festival Film Series | 6 p.m. | The Modern | Free | This month’s featured film is “Inheritance,” a story of two estranged sisters who reunite and become entangled in their family’s secretive past.
Robert Foley Wine Dinner | 6:30 p.m. | Ellerbe Fine Foods | $175+ | Attend this exclusive four-course dinner crafted by James Beard Semi-Finalist Chef Molly McCook + taste six wines from Robert Foley Vineyards.
Kellen Erskine | 7:30-9:15 p.m. | Big Laugh Comedy Club | $20+ | Featured on Comedy Central, Erskine will make you laugh until your sides hurt.
Friday, Jan. 17
Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition | Friday, Jan. 17-Sunday, April 6 | Times vary | Arlington Museum of Art | $15 | The temporary exhibit features ~140 “larger-than-life” photos taken by the late official royals’ photographer Anwar Hussein.
Medvza | 9 p.m. | SILO, Dallas | $50+ | Enjoy a night of electronic dance music by the Italian house music group and opening mixes by Tini Gessler.
Jon Wolfe | 10:30 p.m. | Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall | $29+ | Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for the “That Girl in Texas” singer with an opening performance by Josh Ward.
Saturday, Jan. 18
Block Party | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Eastside YMCA | Free | Celebrate the Y’s grand re-opening after its $500,000 worth of renovations.
Stock Show All Western Parade | 11 a.m. | Downtown Fort Worth | $0+ | Kick off the 22 days of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo the right way at the parade that trots through downtown.
Dolly Day | 11 a.m. | Truck Yard | Free | Why darlin’, it’s the grandest ol’ bash featuring Dolly-themed drinks and Best Dolly Contest.
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City Council designated $26 million in funds for 11 high-priority road projects. Roads affected by these ventures include McCart Avenue, McPherson Boulevard, Bonds Ranch Road + others. The improvements include widening, roundabout installations, new sidewalks, and drainage improvements. (Fort Worth Report)
Development
Black Mountain, an energy company focused on oil and gas, will develop a 142-acre data storage center in southeast Fort Worth. Advocates of the structure urge that the data center will have little to no negative impacts on nearby neighborhoods, but instead bring forth fiscal benefits. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Health
Cardinal Health, a top medical supplies provider serving approximately five million patients a year, will construct a 340,000-sqft distribution center in Melody Hills. Once full-functioning, the center devoted to the health powerhouse’s at-Home Solutions will ship an average of ~10,000 packages daily to patients. (Fort Worth Inc.)
Real Estate
The Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors (GFWAR) announced its 2025 Board of Directors and Board President, Paul Epperley. A member of GFWAR since 2018, Epperley is a graduate of the Texas Realtors Leadership Program and a recipient of the Pinnacle Quality Service awards. (Fort Worth Report)
Announced
Following the passing of Hip Pocket Theater co-founder Diane Simons, the theater announced the Diane Simons Mentorship Program. Applications are open now until Friday, Feb. 14 for the summer program that teaches students ages 17 to 22 technical skills in theater such as stage management, lighting design, costume design + more.
Fort Worthian
It’s giving big sister.Rashiya James is more than just the head custodian at Fort Worth ISD, she’s a friend and mentor to students. James aspires to be a teacher and is recognized for her inspiring principles of dreaming big and never giving up despite being challenged by adversity herself. (CBS News)
Feel Good
200+ athletes competed in the Chisholm Challenge. The challenge hosts equestrians with disabilities of all kinds to compete in various events such as showmanship walk, walk and trot, ranch riding + more. The benefits of such events strengthen riders’ bodies and empower their spirits despite mental or physical disabilities. (NBC 5)
Trending
WFAA sports journalist Paul Levengood II is sharing the new faces of FC Dallas whose 2025 season begins next month against Houston Dynamo. The MLS team also announced their new head coach Eric Quill ahead of the season as well.
Ranked
How are those New Year’s resolutions coming? Cowtown was ranked No. 67 out of 182 on WalletHub’s list of Best Cities for Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions. Not too shabby. We beat other Texas cities like San Antonio, El Paso, and Corpus Christi. (WalletHub)
Sports
Will the Dallas Cowboys hire Deion Sanders as their next head coach, or will it be someone else? Hear the buzz of the town and get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Dallas Cowboys with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Finance
Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? (It sounds wild, but it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. This is hands-down one of the best of 2025.*
Volunteer
Did you know MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service? Join AmeriCorps this MLK Day to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and help your community by volunteering on Monday, Jan. 20. Find volunteer opportunities to serve locally.*
The Buy
The Buy
A pair of 14K gold plated heart hoops. The huggie-sized earrings are hypoallergenic and tarnish-resistant. Psst — they’re also the perfect Valentine’s Day accessory.
Biscoff Delight, Hazelnut Deluxe, and Strawberry Crunch, oh my. | Photo by FTWtoday
Check this out — cheesecake, but on a stick. Drizzle Cheesecakes announced its grand opening this Saturday, Jan. 18 in Irving. You might recognize them from earning No. 1 on Big Tex’s “Best Sweets” list at the 2023 State Fair of Texas for their Biscoff Delight cheesecake.
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