Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Day of Service
Join UC San Diego’s students, staff, and faculty, and alumni as we march in San Diego's Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and honor Dr. King by coming together for a Day of Service.
24th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Friday, January 16, 2026
This annual tradition was established in 2002 as a way for our UC San Diego community to give back. This year, we will be working with a partner school called Webster Elementary from 9 AM to 2 PM for a day of community building and connection to honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Volunteers will lead interactive classroom activities designed to inspire leadership, compassion, and civic responsibility among Webster students. This year’s event will end in a reflection and panel featuring UC San Diego students, alumni, and community leaders, who will share their perspectives on continuing Dr. King’s fight against poverty and inequality.
Register by Thursday, January 15, 2026 to participate!
Questions?
Please contact the Center for Student Involvement at csiservice@ucsd.edu or getinvolved@ucsd.edu.
44th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade: A Campus Tradition
Sunday, January 18, 2026 • 11 AM • Harbor Drive, Embarcadero
Sign up for the free shuttle to the parade is coming soon. Spots are limited!
The UC San Diego contingent will be led by a large "UC San Diego" banner, followed by the UC San Diego Pep Band, the Eight Colleges, and members of the campus community. Departments and organizations are encouraged to showcase their own banners, letters, and signage while we march in the parade. Departments and colleges are not required to wear the parade shirts.
Timing:
- Buses from campus depart at 9:45 AM from Sun God Lawn
- Parade Line-up begins around 10 AM from the parade staging area in front of the County Administration Building
- Parade start time: 11 AM
- Buses return to campus by 1:30 PM
*Note the time is subject to change. Please continue to visit this page for the most updated information.
Transportation & Directions:
Join the UC San Diego contingent at 10 AM at the Parade Assembly Area in front of the County Administration Building
Buses to the Parade
- For students needing transportation, students should arrive by 9:00 AM for waiver signing and t-shirt distribution.
- Buses to the parade will leave at 9:45 AM from the Sun God Lawn (next to Mandeville Center) on campus.
- Buses will return to campus by 1:30 PM.
- Students needing transportation must register for a spot.
Trolley (check schedule for exact times https://www.sdmts.com/getting-around/trip-planner)
- From UCSD Central Campus Station, take the Blue Line towards San Ysidro and get off at County Center/Little Italy Station (approximately 40 minute ride)
- Walk towards the County Administration Building along N. Harbor Drive between Grape & Ash streets - look for light blue UC San Diego t-shirts and royal blue pennants! (map)
Driving Directions
- Merge on I-5 SOUTH
- Take the SASSAFRAS STREET (it will turn into KETTNER) exit toward SAN DIEGO AIRPORT
- Continue on KETTNER BOULEVARD
- Look for parking near Kettner between Grape & Ash streets
- Join the UC San Diego group on N. Harbor Drive between Grape & Ash streets - look for light blue UC San Diego t-shirts and royal blue pennants! (map)
Additional Information:
- Individual marchers not taking transportation do not need to register
- T-shirts will be given out at the parade site and are on a first come, first serve basis
Questions?
Please contact Ace Antonio: aceantonio@ucsd.edu
Visit www.sandiegoalphas.com/mlk-parade for official parade information
Thank you to our sponsors!
The MLK Day of Service and Parade would not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors. We would like to thank Americorps, Lead California, and UC San Diego Student Life for their support.
Prop 209 Compliance
In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories.
More information about Proposition 209 can be found here.
More information about the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy can be found here
The MLK Day of Service and Parade is open to all eligible students. The MLK Day of Service and Parade does not consider race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories as part of the application and selection process.