MLK Day 2026

Next date: Monday, January 19, 2026 | 06:00 PM

City of Aurora MLK Day Commemoration, January 19, 2026.

The City of Aurora will continue a four-decades-long tradition of honoring the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 41st Annual MLK Ceremony on Monday, January 19, 2026. The event will begin at 6:00 P.M. at East Aurora High School, located at 500 Tomcat Lane.

This year’s ceremony features keynote speaker Stacy Davis Gates, President of the Chicago Teachers Union and President of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, and a leading national voice in the fight for educational equity, labor rights, and racial justice. A former high school social studies teacher, Davis Gates has been instrumental in building a movement that connects labor organizing to the broader fight for community well-being and structural change.

As a prominent labor leader and advocate, Stacy Davis Gates embodies Dr. King’s radical vision for economic and racial justice. Her leadership highlights the intersection of public education and civil rights, echoing King’s profound critiques of systemic inequality and his belief that the labor movement and the civil rights movement are inextricably linked. Through her advocacy, she urges society to view the classroom and the community as central battlegrounds for the ongoing fight for human dignity.

“Davis Gates is a dynamic speaker who brings courage and clarity,” Nicholas Richard-Thompson, Deputy Chief of Staff, said. “Her fearless leadership and commitment to the 'common good' approach to organizing make her the ideal voice to help us reflect on King’s legacy of labor advocacy and our current struggle for structural justice.”

The evening will also include:

Educational workshops on Dr. King's legacy and philosophy
Youth and adult performances, including local choruses and artists
The Donna J. Williams MLK Service Awards, presented to residents who exemplify a radical service ethic
The MLK Youth Liberation Awards, honoring students for their advocacy and leadership

For over forty years, the City of Aurora has gathered to commemorate the birth and mission of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event serves as a call to action for residents to promote justice, elevate human dignity, and strengthen neighborhoods through service and advocacy.