title
(1)Approval of the Date(s) and Time(s) for the 2027 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration; and (2) Approval of the Venue(s)for the 2027 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.
body
Meeting Date: October 27, 2026
Contact Person/Dept: Adam Troy/City Manager Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6011
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-mail) Meetings and Agendas - MLK Celebration and Juneteenth Advisory Committee (10/22/2025); (E-mail) Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department Updates (10/22/2025)
Department Approval: Tomás Herrera-Mishler, PRCS Director (10/22/2025)
____________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend that the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) (1) approve the date(s) and time(s) for the celebration; and (2) approve the venue(s) for each day of the celebration, if multiple days are selected.
BACKGROUND
The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) is tasked with advising Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) staff on the planning and coordination of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.
Historically, the celebration has varied in format, ranging from a single-day event featuring performances and educational programming to a two-day celebration incorporating community service activities and additional programming.
For the 2027 celebration, there has been preliminary discussion regarding the possibility of expanding the event to up to three days. To move forward with planning, the Advisory Committee must determine the desired number of days, dates, times, and appropriate venue for each day of the celebration.
DISCUSSION
Number of Celebration Days
The Advisory Committee is being asked to consider whether the 2027 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration should be held over one, two, or three days.
A multi-day celebration could provide additional opportunities for community engagement, educational programming, cultural performances, and service activities. However, expanding the celebration would require consideration of available resources, staffing, venue availability, and overall event logistics.
Staff requests that the Advisory Committee determine the number of days for the celebration to establish a framework for planning and coordination.
Date and Time Selection
The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration has traditionally not been held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which falls on Monday, January 18, 2027. Historically, this approach has helped avoid scheduling conflicts with other celebrations and events throughout Los Angeles County.
In previous years, the celebration generally has taken placed on the weekend before or after the holiday.
Past celebration dates include:
• January 15-16, 2021
• January 15, 2022
• January 14, 2023
• January 20-21, 2024 (January 21 cancel due to rain)
• February 15, 2025 (rescheduled from January 11, 2025, due to the Los Angeles County wildfires)
• January 17, 2026
The times and duration of the celebration have also varied, with some events taking place in the morning and others in the afternoon.
If the Advisory Committee selects a multi-day celebration, a specific date and start and end time must be identified for each day. The days do not need to follow the same schedule or programming format.
Staff is seeking the Advisory Committee's direction on the preferred date(s) and time(s) to allow sufficient time for planning, scheduling, and coordination.
Venue Selection
Staff requests that the Advisory Committee identify and approve an appropriate venue for the celebration. If a multi-day celebration is selected, the Advisory Committee must identify a venue for each day, recognizing that different activities may require different types of facilities.
When evaluating potential venues, the Advisory Committee should consider:
• Opportunities for effective community engagement.
• Venue capacity and suitability for the proposed activities.
• Public accessibility, including parking and transportation.
• Availability of the venue on the proposed date(s).
• Space and equipment requirements for performances, presentations, and other programming.
PRCS staff must also consider operational logistics, including staffing, budget, equipment, setting up and breakdown requirements, and the ability to execute the event within available resources.
If multiple venues are selected, staff will need to evaluate the logistical and financial implications associated with coordinating activities at different locations.
The Advisory Committee's preferred venue(s) will be subject to availability, cost, booking requirements, and operational feasibility. Staff may need to recommend alternative locations if the selected venues cannot be accommodated.
If the Advisory Committee selects a venue not operated by PRCS, staff requests that a PRCS facility also be identified as a backup location.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with the Advisory Committee's consideration of the proposed dates, times, and venues. However, the number of celebration days and selection of venues may affect overall event expenditures, including staffing, equipment, facility costs, and other operational requirements. The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration 2027 has a $15,000 budget in Account 10130280.61980 (Community Events/Other Contractual Services)
ATTACHMENTS
None.
MOTIONS
That the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee:
1. Approve a date(s) and time(s) for the 2027 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration; and
2. Approve a venue (s) for the 2027 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration; for each day of the celebration, if multiple days are selected.