In January 2026, the City of Dallas will host its 44th annual celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a weeks’ worth of events, culminating with our Annual Scholarship & Awards Gala.
The Gala, renamed in 2019 to the MLK Scholarship & Awards Gala, is a longstanding event of the celebration and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Our goal for the Scholarship & Awards Gala is to support the educational aspirations of City of Dallas youth through scholarships and to recognize City of Dallas residents that have made invaluable contributions to their communities reflecting the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The purpose and goal of the awards is to acknowledge organizations that echo the City of Dallas’ core values as a reflection of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in their service to the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center.
About the Gala
Get ready to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with scholarships and awards at our glamorous gala!
Join us for our annual Scholarship & Awards Gala as we come together to celebrate unity, equality, and justice. This black tie event promises to be an incredible experience, highlighting scholarship winners, community award presentations, performances, and more!
Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM (Central Standard Time)
Location: Renaissance Dallas Hotel (2222 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75207)
Special Guests
Special guests this year include:
- Master of Ceremony: Steven Dial, Reporter & Host; Fox 4 KDFW
- Trailblazer Award Winner: Richard Miles, Founder & CEO; MILES of Freedom
Tickets
Tickets are now on sale! A 20% Early Bird discount will be applied until December 7, 2025.
General Admission tickets are $215. VIP is $350.
Tickets are available for purchase via Eventbrite: bit.ly/2026MLKGala.
Donate
Funding donated to this page will support the 44th annual celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with more than a weeks’ worth of events focused on diversity and opportunity. Donated funds will enable the City to provide the week’s events to the public free of charge, except for the Scholarship Gala, which requires a ticket purchase. Beyond providing support to the events of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Week, donations will also support the development of the City of Dallas’ new Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Fund. Scholarships will be presented at the 44th annual gala event.
To make a donation, contact 214-670-8418.
2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Week
In January 2026, the City of Dallas will host its 44th annual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a weeks’ worth of events highlighting issues of diversity and opportunity. The week will include a Day of Reflection, Prayer, & Dedication, Job Fair, Multicultural Showcase, Candle Lighting Ceremony, and Scholarship & Awards Gala. Celebration week will culminate with the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade.