HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Metropolis of Houston will host the primary MLK Unity Parade honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at 10 a.m.
It will likely be free and open to the general public.
The unified parade marks a departure from previous years, the place two separate occasions, the Authentic MLK Parade and the MLK Grande Parade, have been held to rejoice the civil rights icon.
“What you are going to see on January 19 goes to be one thing that you will keep in mind for the remainder of your life. It is by no means occurred earlier than. We have additionally created a template that different cities are following as we communicate as a result of they’ve by no means seen something prefer it earlier than,” mentioned Charles Stamps with the parade.
Stamps beforehand labored with the MLK Grande Parade, having based it. That occasion dated again to 1995 and occurred in Midtown.
The Authentic MLK Parade, which preceded the MLK Grande Parade and was organized by the Black Heritage Society, was created even earlier in 1978 by civil rights activist Ovide Duncantell.
Former Mayor Sylvester Turner named Duncantell’s occasion the official parade for Houston in 2018.
Now the organizers of each side are collaborating for the primary time.
“It will likely be a historic day within the Metropolis of Houston,” mentioned Mayor Whitmire when information of the united parade was first introduced in November. “I ran for mayor to unite our metropolis, and this celebration of unity in January will likely be an ideal alternative to honor Dr. King’s legacy and greatness. I am unable to consider a greater method to acknowledge his contributions than by internet hosting the very best parade ever.”
Based on organizers, the parades are uniting as one “to current a robust message of peace, function, and progress in honor of Dr. King’s life and legacy.”
The 2026 grand marshals are:
- Radio character Madd Hatta
- MLK Grande Parade President Charles Stamps
- Houston Mayor John Whitmire
Particular friends are anticipated to incorporate Rev. Dr. Derek King, a nephew of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Jeffrey Peck, the great-grandson of W.E.B Du Bois.
Debora Nixon, RN, and retired Houston Hearth Division firefighter Freddie Jackson are listed as co – grand marshals.
The MLK Unity Parade will begin on San Jacinto Road in downtown Houston. It is anticipated to incorporate faculty and highschool marching bands, floats, neighborhood teams, cultural organizations and extra.
You will get a bigger view of the map right here.
You may as well use METRO to get to the parade. The town says rides will likely be complimentary.
The three rail strains will take riders into the guts of downtown and the parade route. Trains are anticipated to run each jiffy.
Many native bus routes additionally join on to the downtown space. You possibly can test routes and schedules on the METRO web site.
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