MLK Day Parade

After a hiatus in 2025, the MLK Celebration Committee will once again host the SENC MLK Jr. Day Parade in downtown Wilmington on Monday, January 19, at 11 a.m.

This free, family-friendly event will feature local bands, organizations, and community groups coming together to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with a focus on his enduring message of peace and perseverance.

Parade Route:

• Begins at Brunswick Street
• Travels south along Third Street
• Turns onto Princess Street
• Concludes on Fourth Street

A map of the route can be found below:

 

This event will impact traffic throughout the downtown area. Residents and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and use alternate routes during the parade.

Initial Closures

• Third Street, between Harnett Street and Market Street, will close to traffic beginning at 7 a.m.
• Brunswick Street and Hanover Street, between Front Street and Third Street, will close at 8 a.m. for parade staging.
• All streets crossing the parade route will close beginning at 9 a.m.

 

Additional Road and Lane Closures

• Princess Street between Third Street and Fifth Avenue
• Chestnut Street between Third Street and Fourth Street
• Grace Street between Third Street and Fourth Street
• Walnut Street between Third Street and Fourth Street
• Red Cross Street between Third Street and Fourth Street
• Campbell Street between Third Street and Fourth Street
• Hanover Street between Third Street and Fourth Street
• Brunswick Street between Third Street and Fourth Street
• Hanover Street between Front Street and Third Street
• Brunswick Street between Nutt Street and Front Street
• Brunswick Street between Front Street and Third Street
• Nutt Street between Brunswick Street and Hanover Street

 

Streets Remaining Open to Local Traffic:

• Fourth Street north of Chestnut Street
• Front Street, northbound and southbound
• Market Street, eastbound and westbound

Traffic Detours

• Northbound Third Street through traffic will be detoured to Fifth Avenue.
• Southbound Third Street through traffic will be detoured to Front Street or Davis Street, then to Fourth Street or Fifth Avenue.

 

When

Location

Downtown Wilmington

Third Street, Wilmington, View Map