Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

This Monday isn’t just a day off work and school, it’s a day of remembrance for one of America’s great civil rights champions and heroes. To honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, give back to the community at one of the many local service events or celebrate his life at parades and events happening all around SoCal.

Actor Keith David hosts MLK Day Birthday event on Saturday, January 15 in Culver City.

Operation Hangar Cleanup at Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum
When: Monday, January 17. Sign up for more details
Where: Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum, 961 W. Alondra Blvd., Compton, CA 90220

Volunteers will clean, paint and prepare the hangar at TAM’s STEM lab, which will encourage students to learn about topics like plane engineering, wind tunnels, and video game design.

Volunteer at the Arlington Gardens for MLK Day
When: Saturday, January 15 or Monday, January 17.
Where: Arlington Gardens, 275 Arlington Drive, Pasadena, CA 91105

Head to Pasadena for a day of volunteering and fresh air. Arlington Gardens is a public garden that is maintained through the cooperation of local government and the community, but its upkeep depends on the work of individuals. So if you have a green thumb and would like to serve on either Saturday or Monday, be sure to check it out.

City Year’s MLK Service Day
When: Monday, January 17 (8:30am-2pm)
Where: Thomas A. Edison Middle School, 6500 Hooper Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90001

City Year corps, a group dedicated to serving the community, will celebrate and honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by participating in a city-wide Day of Service. Works will include mobilizing 800 volunteers in order to transform the Thomas Edison Middle School campus to update, clean, repair, and paint it. The City Year Heroes Opening Ceremony will also recognize middle and high school students who are pledging to participate in the Young Heroes and City Heroes programs.

The Autry Museum’s Hands-On Experience
When: Monday, January 17 (10am-4pm)
Where: The Autry, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA

The Autry Museum will keeps its doors open on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. In honor of the holiday, visitors can expect a hands-on history lesson about African Americans in the West, a museum-wide scavenger hunt, and gold panning. The Autry is the great place for families looking to commemorate the day with a fun but educational twist.

The Peace & Unity Parade Celebration
When: Saturday, January 15 (10:30am-5pm)
Where: The parade begins on Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Anaheim Street and will proceed North to Martin Luther King, Jr. Park.

The city of Long Beach will honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with The Peace & Unity Parade Celebration. The day begins with a parade, followed by a celebration with food, craft vendors, and live entertainment in Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. The event is family-friendly, with rides and games on site for children.

Kingdom Day Parade
When:Monday, January 18th, 10:15am
Where: The parade begins at the corner of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. and Western Ave and proceeds to Leimert Park.

The Congress of Racial Equality California presents its annual “Kingdom Day Parade” in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. The event will kick off in the morning on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and will proceed to Leimert Park, where attendees will be able to enjoy festivities, food, and entertainment.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration in Gardena
When: Saturday, January 15, 10am
Where: The parade begins at the corner of Marine and Van Ness Ave., and proceeds to Rowley Park.

The city of Gardena and The Gardena Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Committee present the 27th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration. The parade will feature bands, drumlines, classic cars, drill teams, and celebrities. Radio personalities Don Amiche and Tammi Mac are the grand marshalls of the event.

You can check MLKDay.gov and enter your zipcode to see a list of community service opportunities happening around you. You will be able to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy while actively participating in your own community.

[Source: MLKDay.gov]