Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade

49th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
Saturday, January 16, 2027
1:00 PM

The Community is invited to join us as we celebrate the Dream of Martin Luther King Jr.  Churches, organizations, daycares, fraternities, sororities, dance groups, bands, and businesses will stroll down Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue during this community event. 

Watch the official live broadcast on our Facebook page, Spectrum Channel 643, FiOS Channel 43. The broadcast will also be streamed on lakelandgov.net and will be available as video on demand.

The City of Lakeland is excited to partner with the Reverend Dr. MLK Commission of Lakeland to host the MLK Jr. Parade and other activities to bring the community together for a week of fun-filled events. 

• Parade Route

  The parade begins at Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and West 14th Street and ends at MLK Avenue and 10th  Street. 
  The Judges Area will now be located on West 10th Street at the Coney Funeral Home Lot.

• Welcome Letter from Parade Committee

  The City of Lakeland and the Reverend Dr. MLK Jr Commission of Lakeland would like to invite your group and/or organization to participate in the 49th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Parade: Saturday, January 16, 2027, at 1:00 PM. As our Parade continues to grow and improve in quality and content, this year’s theme is "Guided by Wisdom, Driven by Change - From Vision to Victory". The route will be from 14th Street to 10th Street ending on Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, and 10th Street.

  This is an excellent way to promote your organization at a minimal cost. Entries are limited, so do submit your application early. Nothing can be given out along the route (candy or literature).

  Submit your application, narrative, and payment online. Participant waivers are to be submitted by January 5th, 2027, to:

  Simpson Park Community Center
  1725 MLK Jr. Avenue
  Lakeland, Florida 33805

  Registration will continue to be online as many of you have already completed this process in previous years. It’s important that everyone have an online WebTrac profile account setup prior to completing the application.

  If you have not set up a WebTrac profile online, please visit our website and watch the "How-To Setup Your Profile on WebTrac" video located at the bottom of the screen. entered. 

  https://www.lakelandgov.net/departments/parks-recreation-and-cultural-arts/online-registration/

  *Online registration opens Saturday, August 1st, 2026 at 9 AM. The last day to register will be November 21st, 2026.  

  On behalf of the City of Lakeland and the Reverend Dr. MLK Jr Commission of Lakeland, we would like to say "Thank you" for your continuous support of this event. We look forward to seeing you at the Packet Pickup and Information Meeting on Tuesday, January 12, 2027, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be located at the Coleman-­Bush Building, 1104 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33805.

  Questions can be directed to MLKParade@Lakelandgov.net.

  Cordially Yours,

  City of Lakeland, and the Reverend Dr. MLK Commission of Lakeland

• Waiver

  Download Waiver:

  Participant Waiver

  Waivers will be required from all participants. Please return your waiver(s) by January 12th at the Packet Pickup and Information Meeting or IN PERSON to:
  
  Simpson Park Community Center
  1725 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue
  Lakeland, Florida 33805

  Please do NOT mail waivers.

• Entry Fees

  Entry fees are $20 per unit. August 1st, 2026 through November 21st, 2026

  Submit your application, narrative, and payment online.

  Applications will be reviewed by the City of Lakeland Staff & Parade Committee.

• Date/Time/Staging

  Parade Date: Saturday, January 16th, 2027 at 1 PM

  Line Up Start: 10:00 AM

  Staging Area: Simpson Park Community Center & Rochelle School of Arts

• Parade Group Descriptions

  Professional Float, Flatbed w/ Float, Walking Unit, Decorated Vehicles, Marching Band, Dance Group, Step Group, and Car Club.

  Performance music must be a clean version.
  
  Email the Parade Committee for info regarding dance group participation.

  If you are unsure of group description, please Email the Parade Committee for info regarding group participation.

• Decoration for Parade Groups:

  "Guided by Wisdom, Driven by Change - From Vision to Victory" Floats: Important Information

  • The towing vehicle should be decorated with a theme and must be equipped with a tow bar, safety chains, and working brake lights.
  • The organization's name/number should be visible to provide the announcer and judges of the unit to be mentioned for later viewing on LGN (City of Lakeland TV). The main purpose is to provide identification of the unit.
  • The unit shall be no taller than 15 ft. from the ground and no wider than 12 ft.
  • Safety bars or some stable structure shall be provided for persons standing on the unit.
  • Judges will award plaques for the following categories that support the parade: Best Decorated Float/Best Walking Unit /Best Decorated Vehicle/Best Marching Band/Best Dance Group/Best Step Group/Best Car Club. There will be One-Judges' Honorable Mention: Best Creative Overall Unit.
  • Each application should contain a unit description. Each participant has an obligation to update his or her application before the mandatory packet pickup and information meeting on January 12th, 2027.

  Updates can be requested by calling either 863.834.2577 or 863.834.3350 x 1 or emailing MLKParade@Lakelandgov.net.

• General Information
  • Final acceptance and position of the units within the parade are made by the City of Lakeland.
  • Notification of your unit position will be issued at our mandatory packet pickup meeting Tuesday, January 12, 2027, at 6:30 p.m. at the Coleman-Bush Building.
  • Any person driving a motorized vehicle must have a valid driver's license.
  • Units should continue the flow of the line throughout the parade to avoid gaps.
  • All parade participants should be picked up at the end of the parade route, Rochelle School of Arts, or return to the staging area at Simpson Park Community Center(map will be provided).
  • Nothing can be Given or Thrown Out along the Route {Candy/Literature).
  • Music should be the clean version and the volume at an appropriate level.
  • Participants are asked to enter the staging area from 98 North unless otherwise instructed by Parade Committee
  • Participants should have an assigned number to enter the staging area.
  • Participants will have a designated area in the Lot near Modest St to park their personal vehicles.

Parade Photos

2026
2025
2024
2023
2022

Parade Video

2026
2025
2024
2023
2022

Parade Contact:
MLKParade@LakelandGov.net
Office: 863.834.2577
Office: 863.834.3350

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Video Tribute 

Download your copy of the MLK Video Tribute on our Vimeo channel.