MLK Day: Nashville Insights on its Federal Holiday Status
The National Park Service has made significant changes to its list of free entrance days for the upcoming years. Notably, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth have been removed from this list. Instead, visitors will enjoy free access to national parks on President Donald Trump’s birthday.
MLK Day: A Federal Holiday with New Controversies
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, celebrated on the third Monday of January, honors the legacy of the iconic civil rights leader. Despite its enduring status as a federal holiday, it will no longer be part of the National Park Service’s free entrance days in 2025. This decision has drawn attention and criticism, particularly in light of the relevance of both MLK Day and Juneteenth to American history.
Changes to Entrance Fee Days
In 2025, the following holidays will no longer offer free entry to national parks:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Juneteenth
Other previously included days removed from the free entrance list for 2026 include:
- April 19: First Day of National Park Week
- July 16: Bureau of Land Management’s Birthday
- August 4: Great American Outdoors Day
- September 27: National Public Lands Day
- October 12: National Wildlife Refuge Week
Trump’s Critique on Holidays
President Donald Trump has publicly criticized the number of federal holidays, attributing financial burdens to businesses. On June 19, he suggested that there are “too many non-working holidays.” Despite his opinions, Trump does not hold the authority to revoke a federal holiday without congressional approval.
Celebrations of MLK Day in Nashville
As the next MLK Day approaches, Nashville has planned several events to honor this significant occasion. Key scheduled activities include:
- January 15: MLK Gala 2026 at the Hutton Hotel
- January 19: 5th Anniversary Celebration at the National Museum of African American Music
- January 19: MLK Youth Rally at Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church
- January 19: Nashville MLK Day March at Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church
- January 19: MLK Convocation at Tennessee State University
These events highlight the ongoing commitment to celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.’s contributions to the civil rights movement, despite changes to the holiday’s recognition by the National Park Service.
