Martin Luther King Day Dates by Year (2000–2035 Full Table)

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which means the date varies between January 15 and January 21 depending on the year.

Looking for MLK Day dates for specific years? Whether you're planning ahead, researching historical dates, or simply curious about when Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls, this comprehensive table provides all the dates from 2000 to 2035.

How Is MLK Day Calculated?

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is always observed on the third Monday of January each year, as established by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This means the holiday can fall anywhere between January 15 and January 21.

The Third Monday Rule

The calculation is straightforward:

1. Start with January 15 (the earliest possible date for the third Monday)
2. Find the first Monday on or after January 15
3. That Monday is MLK Day

If January 15 is a Monday, then that date is MLK Day. If January 15 falls on a different day of the week, we move forward to the next Monday, which will be between January 16 and January 21.

This rule ensures that MLK Day always falls on a Monday, creating a three-day weekend while keeping the date close to Dr. King's actual birthday on January 15, 1929.

MLK Day Dates Table (2000–2035)

Here is the complete table of MLK Day dates from 2000 to 2035:

Years When MLK Day Falls on January 15

When MLK Day falls on January 15, it coincides with Dr. King's actual birthday. Based on the table above, these are the years when MLK Day lands on his birthday:

• 2001
• 2007
• 2018
• 2024
• 2029
• 2035

And looking ahead, MLK Day will also fall on January 15 in 2046, 2057, 2063, 2068, 2074, 2085, 2091, and 2096.

Years When MLK Day Falls on January 18

January 18 is another common date for MLK Day. In the 2000–2035 range, MLK Day falls on January 18 in:

• 2010
• 2016
• 2021
• 2027

Years When MLK Day Falls on January 21

January 21 is the latest possible date for MLK Day. In the 2000–2035 range, MLK Day falls on January 21 in:

• 2002
• 2008
• 2013
• 2019
• 2030

This happens when January 15 falls on a Sunday, making January 21 the third Monday of that month.

Why MLK Day Changes Dates

MLK Day doesn't have a fixed date like Christmas (December 25) or Independence Day (July 4). Instead, it follows the Uniform Monday Holiday Act pattern, which was established to create more three-day weekends for federal holidays.

The Uniform Monday Holiday Act

The Uniform Monday Holiday Act was passed by Congress in 1968 and moved several federal holidays to designated Mondays:

• Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) → Third Monday in February
• Memorial Day → Last Monday in May
• Columbus Day → Second Monday in October
• Veterans Day → Originally moved to the fourth Monday in October, but later moved back to November 11

MLK Day, established in 1983, was designed from the start to follow this pattern, being observed on the third Monday of January.

Benefits of the Monday Holiday

The Uniform Monday Holiday Act was created to:

1. Create Three-Day Weekends: Moving holidays to Mondays ensures workers get a three-day weekend instead of a mid-week holiday
2. Reduce Absenteeism: With a long weekend, fewer people take extra days off
3. Boost Travel and Commerce: Long weekends encourage travel and spending
4. Honor the Spirit: While the exact date changes, the holiday always falls near Dr. King's birthday (January 15)

Historical MLK Day Dates

While the table above covers 2000–2035, here are some notable historical MLK Day dates:

• 1986: January 20, 1986 (First official observance as a federal holiday)
• 1990: January 15, 1990 (First time falling on Dr. King's actual birthday)
• 1995: January 16, 1995
• 2000: January 17, 2000

MLK Day was first observed as a federal holiday in 1986, though it wasn't recognized by all states until 2000, when New Hampshire became the last state to officially observe the holiday.

How to Find MLK Day for Any Year

If you need to find MLK Day for a year not in the table above, you can use this simple method:

1. Look at January 15 of the target year
2. Determine what day of the week January 15 falls on
3. Find the next Monday (or count forward from January 15 if it's already a Monday)
4. That Monday is MLK Day

You can also use our MLK Day date calculator to find MLK Day for any year, or check out our MLK Day countdown to see how many days remain until the next MLK Day.

Planning Around MLK Day

Since MLK Day is a federal holiday, it affects various services and institutions:

• Banks: Most banks are closed on MLK Day
• Post Office: USPS does not deliver mail, and post offices are closed
• Stock Markets: NYSE and NASDAQ are closed
• Government Offices: Federal offices are closed
• Schools: Most public schools are closed (varies by district)
• Retail: Most retail stores remain open

If you need to plan events, schedule meetings, or make travel arrangements around MLK Day, it's helpful to know the exact date well in advance. The table above should help you plan for years to come.

MLK Day Date Patterns

Looking at the table, you can notice some patterns:

• 7-Year Cycles: Due to the leap year cycle and the way the calendar repeats, MLK Day dates follow patterns that repeat approximately every 28 years (four 7-year cycles)
• Date Range: MLK Day always falls between January 15 and January 21
• Always a Monday: By design, MLK Day is always on a Monday
• Most Common Dates: January 17, 18, and 19 are among the most common dates for MLK Day

Using MLK Day Calculators

To make planning easier, we offer several calculators related to MLK Day:

• MLK Day Countdown: See how many days, weeks, hours, and minutes remain until the next MLK Day
• MLK Day Countdown by Year: Countdown to MLK Day for specific years (2024–2029)
• MLK Day Date Calculator: Find MLK Day dates for any year

These tools can help you plan events, schedule meetings, or simply stay informed about upcoming MLK Day observances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Does MLK Day Change Dates?

MLK Day is observed on the third Monday of January each year, as established by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This means the date varies between January 15 and January 21 depending on what day of the week January 15 falls on.

When Is MLK Day 2025?

MLK Day 2025 falls on January 20, 2025.

When Is MLK Day 2026?

MLK Day 2026 falls on January 19, 2026.

What's the Earliest MLK Day Can Be?

The earliest MLK Day can be is January 15, which happens when January 15 falls on a Monday.

What's the Latest MLK Day Can Be?

The latest MLK Day can be is January 21, which happens when January 15 falls on a Sunday, making January 21 the third Monday.

How Often Does MLK Day Fall on January 15?

MLK Day falls on January 15 (Dr. King's birthday) approximately once every 6–7 years, depending on the calendar cycle.

Conclusion

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a significant federal holiday that honors the legacy of one of America's most important civil rights leaders. While the date changes each year between January 15 and January 21, it always falls on the third Monday of January, creating a meaningful three-day weekend for reflection, service, and celebration of Dr. King's contributions to American history.

Use the table above to find MLK Day dates for any year from 2000 to 2035, and visit our MLK Day calculators for tools to help you plan around this important holiday.