MLK Jr. Day 2023 Program, What's Open, Closed In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — On Monday, there will be an observance in Alexandria to honor the life and legacy of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. Closures will also be in place for the federal holiday.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16 is a federal holiday and a federally observed day of service. In Alexandria, the 50th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Program will be held Sunday at 4 p.m. at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria, VA. Residents can RSVP to attend the program and donate to support it.

The event, held by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Planning Committee, celebrates the legacy of King. There will be food and drinks, music, and a panel of experts sharing why King's message and example are still relevant.

Because Martin Luther King Day Jr. is also a day of service, volunteer opportunities are another way to celebrate. Volunteer Alexandria regularly shares volunteer opportunities around the city. One of the volunteer efforts on Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be nonprofit Islamic Relief USA's effort to pack 4,000 food boxes for ALIVE at Episcopal High School's fieldhouse.

Here's what's open and closed in Alexandria for Martin Luther King Day on Monday, Jan. 16:

City of Alexandria government offices: Closed on Monday, Jan. 16.

Alexandria City Public Schools: Schools are closed on Monday, Jan. 16.

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria: Open Monday, Jan. 16, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with adoption meetings opening at noon. The animal emergencies or wildlife concerns hotline, 703-746-4444, is open 24/7.

Courts: Alexandria General District Court, Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, Court Service Unit, Circuit Court and the Clerk of Circuit Court will all be closed Monday, Jan. 16.

DASH Bus: The fare-free DASH bus service will operate on a Saturday schedule on Jan. 16. The free King Street Trolley operates regular service daily, including holidays, from King Street Metro to Alexandria City Hall, every 15 minutes from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Alexandria Transit Company administrative office will be closed Jan. 16. For more information, visit dashbus.com.

Department of Motor Vehicles: All DMV customer service centers are closed Jan. 16.

Health department: The Alexandria Health Department, the Flora Krause Casey Pharmacy, and the Teen Wellness Center at Alexandria City High School are closed Jan. 16.

Historic Alexandria: On Monday, Jan. 16, the Freedom House Museum will be open for regular hours from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. All other museums will be closed. For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic.

Hotlines: All emergency hotlines operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including holidays. This includes the Child Protective Services hotline at 703-746-5800, Domestic Violence hotline at 703-746-4911, Emergency Mental Health Services or substance use crisis hotline at 703-746-3401, Adult Protective Services hotline at 703-746-5778 or 988, and Sexual Assault Hotline at 703-683-7273.

Impound facility: The city’s impound facility for towed vehicles will be closed Monday, Jan. 16. The impound facility is closed Saturdays, Sundays, and on all observed city holidays. Fees will continue to accrue on Saturday and Sunday, but not on holidays.

Libraries: All Alexandria Library branches will be closed Monday, Jan. 16. Visit the Alexandria Library website for more information.

Metro: Metrorail will run on a Saturday holiday schedule from 5 a.m. to midnight. From Jan. 14 to 16, there will be single tracking on the Red Line between Silver Spring and Forest Glen. See more information about weekend Metro service here.

Parking: On Monday, Jan. 16, the Alexandria Police Department will suspend enforcing parking restrictions at metered spaces, in residential permit parking districts, and in other areas with signed parking time limits. Temporary no-parking areas will still be enforced. This suspension of enforcement applies only to the restrictions at legal parking spaces and does not permit parking in any location normally prohibited, such as no-parking zones, loading zones or spaces for persons with disabilities.

Post offices: Closed on Jan. 16.

Recreation, nature, and art centers: On Monday, Jan. 16, Chinquapin Park Recreation Center and Aquatics Facility, Charles Houston Recreation, and Patrick Henry Recreation Centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All other City of Alexandria recreation and nature centers will be closed. Torpedo Factory Art Center is open daily, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit torpedofactory.org/visit for details.

Trash and recycling: Residential trash, recycling, and yard waste will be delayed by one day during the week of Monday, Jan. 16. The Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Recycling Center will be closed Monday, Jan. 16. Christmas tree collections continue in January for city collection customers.