A federal holiday since 1986, Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year is on January 16th. Throughout the U.S., there will be parades, marches or tributes to celebrate the life and accomplishments of the honored Civil Rights activist.

The calendar of events list below is compiled by AAA travel editors. Search for additional event listings at AAA.com/travel.

ALABAMA
Jan. 16 BIRMINGHAM Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday—The museum offers free admission and events throughout the day. Location: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Contact: (205) 328-9696 ext. 211. Free.

ARKANSAS
Jan. 16 LITTLE ROCK Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration—Historic site park rangers host a children's event titled "Characters of Change." Children will listen to books about and write letters to historic and present day heroes describing how they can be characters of change. Location: Central High School National Historic Site. Contact: (501) 374-1957. Free.

CALIFORNIA
Jan. 14 SAN DIEGO Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade and Festival—The parade takes place in the East Village area of downtown. A multicultural festival follows the parade at the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade. Location: Downtown. Contact: (619) 264-0542. Free.

Jan. 16 SACRAMENTO Martin Luther King Celebration Day—Winning poems from the poetry contest are displayed along with Regional Transit's 1957 Old Blue historic bus. The Children's Village features educational activities and crafts. Location: Sacramento Convention Center. Contact: (916) 920-8655.

Jan. 16 SAN FRANCISCO Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth and Family Day—Location: Yerba Buena Gardens and Sony Metreon. Contact: (510) 268-3777.

Jan. 16 SAN FRANCISCO Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday Celebration and Rally—Location: CalTrain Station to Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Contact: (510) 268-3777.

COLORADO
Jan. 16 DENVER Martin Luther King "Marade"—Participants gather at City Park for a march and parade to the state capitol for a rally. Location: City Park to the Capitol. Contact: (720) 971-1329. Free.

DELAWARE
Jan. 16 SEAFORD MLK Day of Celebration—This event begins with a prayer breakfast at the Heritage Shore Country Club in Bridgeville, DE. The celebration continues with poets, storytellers, displays, a basketball tournament, games, contests and children's activities. Location: Various locations. Contact: (302) 628-1908.  $.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Jan. 16 WASHINGTON Multicultural Celebration Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.—Visitors will enjoy this celebration to commemorate a man who lived his life in service to others at one of the friendliest churches in town. Location: Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ. Contact: (202) 829-5511. Free.

FLORIDA
Jan. 14 ORLANDO Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Parade—The Southwest Orlando Jaycees and the City of Orlando present this annual downtown holiday parade.  Location: Downtown. Contact: (407) 412-9646. Free.

GEORGIA
Jan. 16 MOULTRIE Martin Luther King Jr. Parade—The life of the slain civil rights leader is celebrated in this parade featuring the Marine Corps Band, the Calhoun County Band and the combined Colquitt County bands. Location: Downtown. Contact: (229) 985-1974.

KENTUCKY
Jan. 16 LOUISVILLE Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration —The Martin Luther King Motorcade follows a route from Broadway, River Park and Oak Street before proceeding to Dixie Highway. This is just one of many events taking place to honor Dr. King. Location: Various locations. Contact: (502) 772-2591. Free.

MARYLAND
Jan. 16 BALTIMORE Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade—This event celebrates the life of one of America's most influential civil rights, political and social icons.  Location: Steps off at Martin Luther King Boulevard and Eutaw Street. Contact: (410) 752-8632. Free.

MISSISSIPPI
Jan. 16 BILOXI Martin Luther King Jr. Parade—Witness marching bands from predominantly black state colleges in a parade and in a battle of the bands at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum after the parade.   Location: Downtown. Contact: (228) 374-0858. Free.

Jan. 16 MERIDIAN Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade and Celebration—Meridian hosts a parade and celebration in honor of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.  Location: Downtown. Contact: (601) 482-8001.

NEBRASKA
Jan. 16 BEATRICE Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.—Location: Homestead National Monument of America. Contact: (402) 223-3514.

NORTH CAROLINA
Jan. 16 MOREHEAD CITY Martin Luther King Celebration—Crystal Coast churches and civic organizations present this celebration of Dr. King's life. Entertainment, gospel singing and a birthday cake are featured. Location: Crystal Coast Civic Center. Contact: (888)899-6088.

OKLAHOMA
Jan. 13-16 MUSKOGEE (Except Jan. 15) Martin Luther King Soul Food Cook-Off—Amateur cooks from far and near compete offering their soul food specialties including okra and greens, fried chicken, black-eyed peas and peach cobbler. Also, enjoy the Cooks Party and the Gospel Extravaganza. Location: Civic Center. Contact: (918) 684-6363. $.

TENNESSEE
Jan. 14-16 MEMPHIS Anniversary Commemoration for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. —Speakers, forums and concerts are presented to commemorate the life of the civil rights leader.  Location: National Civil Rights Museum. Contact: (901) 521-9699.

TEXAS
Jan. 16 HOUSTON MLK Youth Parade—This noon parade features some 10 floats and some 22 marching bands. Location: Downtown. Contact: (713) 953-1633.

Jan. 16 HOUSTON MLK Grande Parade—An estimated 300,000 people line the streets of downtown Houston for this annual parade, which features high school, college and military marching bands and professionally designed floats from across the country. Location: Downtown. Contact: (713) 953-
1633.

WEST VIRGINIA
Jan. 14 CHARLSTON West Virginia's Martin Luther King Day Celebration—An ecumenical service of commemoration and celebration at the church is followed by a symbolic march from the church to the State Capitol, and a bell ringing ceremony. Location: West Virginia State Capitol and Asbury United Methodist Church.  Contact:  (304) 558-0162.