One of the city's favorite annual events is returning to its pre-pandemic, in-person format next week. On Monday, January 16 at 10 am, the 36th Martin Luther King, Jr. March and Celebration will take place throughout the city.

Described as the "largest march in the nation," the march is the result of an ongoing partnership betwee the City of San Antonio, District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, and the San Antonio Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission chaired by Dwayne Robinson. This year’s theme, “Together We Can Be THE Dream,” was created by Shaunda Hopkins Lohse and chosen by the MLK Jr. Commission.

"We are overjoyed to share the details of the 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March. Often touted as the largest in the nation, next year’s March will return in-person for the first time since the COVID pandemic,” McKee-Rodriguez said. “After successfully advocating to triple the budget for the march, and receiving record engagement in our annual Artwork and Theme contests we have no doubt it will be even more joyous, connective, reflective, and more accessible to those who also hope to live Dr. King’s dream.”

According to a release, Dwayne Robinson, who is now serving as the new chairman for the MLK Jr. Commission, is hoping for maximum turnout from the city and hopes residents show up in record numbers for the march.

“We are excited to return, not only the in-person MLK, Jr. March, but also the Youth Summit, Wreath Laying Ceremony, Inter-Faith Service, Trinity University Lecture, Baptist Minister’s Union Worship Service, and announce the recipients of the MLK Public Service Award and Scholarship recipients,” Robinson said. “We’ve waited for three years to showcase to the nation that the city of San Antonio continues to honor the legacy of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As King once said, ‘The beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace is more precious than diamonds or silver or gold.’”

Kicking off at 10 am, the 2023 celebration will start at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy, on 3501 Martin Luther King Drive, ending at Pittman-Sullivan Park, 1101 Iowa Street. Afterwards, a park celebration will take place at Pittman-Sullivan Park, set to include a main stage with multicultural performances, a health and wellness area, a youth area, food and merchandise vendors, and information booths.

More information on the march and other celebrations coming up this weekend are below:

Trinity Lecture
Thursday, January 12, 2023 – 7 pm
Location: Trinity Lecture Laurie Auditorium

Baptist Ministers Union Worship Service
Friday, January 13, 2023 – 7 pm
Location: Antioch Baptist Church

Youth Empowerment Event
Saturday, January 14, 2023 – 3 pm to 9 pm\
Location: The Espee at Sunset Station

Wreath Laying Ceremony
Sunday, January 15, 2023 – 2 pm
Location: MLK Plaza (N. New Braunfels St. and E. Houston St.)

Inter-Faith Worship Service
Sunday, January 15, 2023 – 4:30 pm
Location: St. Gerard Catholic Church

Pre-March Service
Monday, January 16, 2023 – 8 am

Pre-Worship Service
Monday, January 16, 2023 – 9 am
Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Academy

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March
Monday, January 16, 2023 – 10 am
Starts at: Martin Luther King Jr. Academy
Ends at: Pittman-Sullivan Park

Commemorative Program & Public Awards Ceremony
Monday, January 16, 2023 – 12 pm
Location: Pittman-Sullivan Park

To stay up to date on the MLK March and events, head to SA.gov.