Don’t waste your day off on Monday!
Utilize the federal holiday to commemorate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. by attending programing at a local museum or attraction.
Later in the week, check out a new musical at the Alliance Theatre or revisit a classic Debbie Reynolds film at Plaza Theatre.
Here are five things to do around metro Atlanta this weekend:
National Parks
Visit any National Park Service site on Martin Luther King Jr. Day for free.
If you’re looking for a National Park site where you can learn more about the legacy of King, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in downtown Atlanta features the home, church and grave of the civil rights activist.
While tourists can view the outside and first floor of King's birth home, the upper floors will remain closed and under repair. Officials with the National Park Service cited "structural damage" for the closing.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 16. Free. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, 450 Auburn Ave., Atlanta. nps.gov.
Ebenezer Baptist Church Commemorative Service
The commemorative service at Ebenezer Baptist Church on Jan. 16 remains a MLK Day staple. The service, designed to honor the life, work and legacy of King, will feature a keynote address from Father Michael Pfleger and a tribute from Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Darlene McCoy, minister Micah Stampley, the Craig Lewis Band, Freddie and Teddie and the Korean Christian Children’s Choir are among the performers who will participate in the program.
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 16. Free. Ebenezer Baptist Church, 101 Jackson St., Atlanta. nps.gov.
Atlanta History Center
Entry into the Atlanta History Center and Margaret Mitchell House is free on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Visit Atlanta History Center and tour its many exhibits, including “Gatheround: Stories of Atlanta,” before featured speaker and author of “Go South to Freedom” Frye Gaillard talks about his book, which is geared toward middle-school kids, at 3 p.m. The event will also include a book signing.
10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Jan. 16. Free. Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road N.W., Atlanta. Atlantahistorycenter.com.
"Troubadour"
Country music fans will love this musical with original music by Sugarland’s Kristian Bush. In the production, country music singer Billy Mason’s son, Joe, works to create a name for himself in the shadow of his father’s legacy.
Times vary. Jan. 18-Feb. 12. $10-$72. Alliance Theatre, 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. Alliancetheatre.org.
“Tammy and the Bachelor”
Debbie Reynolds fans looking to remember the Hollywood actress by seeing her work in a theater should head to the Plaza Theatre this week for a screening of “Tammy and the Bachelor.” Reynolds was pregnant with the late Carrie Fisher during the filming of the movie.
Times vary. Through Jan. 19. $10. Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta. Plazaatlanta.com.
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