Charleston's MLK Day Parade steps off at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, 2027, from Fishburne Street to Calhoun Street. Route, closures and what is closed that day.
Charleston’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade is on for Monday, Jan. 18, 2027. YWCA Greater Charleston, which runs it, has applied to the city for a 10 a.m. step-off from Fishburne Street, with the parade over by 1 p.m.
Last checked Nov. 7, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. The 2027 date and times come from YWCA Greater Charleston’s application on the city’s Special Events Committee agenda of Oct. 28. The YWCA’s MLK Celebration page still shows its 2025 schedule; we will add the 2027 week of events, the parade marshal and the police road closures when they are published. In 2026 police posted closures three days before the parade.
Who to call
- Parade entries and MLK week events: YWCA Greater Charleston, via its MLK Celebration page
- Parade day traffic: police non-emergency, 843-743-7200
- City services: Citizen Services Desk, 843-724-7311
Is the MLK parade on in 2027?
Yes, as far as the city’s records show. The YWCA’s application, number SEC2026-01325, describes the parade as the closing event of its multi-day tribute and one of the longest-running in the country. It lists:
- Date and time: Monday, Jan. 18, 2027, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Lineup: 7 a.m. on Fishburne Street between Hagood Avenue, President Street and Ashley Avenue, by Burke High School.
- Step-off: 10 a.m.
- Streets used: Fishburne Street, Ashley Avenue, Sumter Street, King Street and Calhoun Street.
- Crowd: about 740 people expected, the application says.
The route
The 2027 application names the same streets as last year. The Charleston Police Department’s 2026 notice gave the route in order:
- East on Fishburne Street from Burke High School.
- North on Ashley Avenue.
- East on Sumter Street.
- South on King Street.
- East on Calhoun Street, past Marion Square, ending near Elizabeth Street.
Road closures and parking
The 2027 closure times are not posted yet. In 2026, police said:
| Time (2026) | What happened |
|---|---|
| 6 a.m. | Setup began near Burke High School; Fishburne Street closed near Hagood Avenue |
| 10 a.m. | Parade began |
| 1 p.m. | Route expected to reopen |
Police said vehicle access to some businesses and homes along the route was limited, and officers were posted to help with traffic and neighborhood access. Garages and rates are on the city’s parking page; see our getting around guide and road closures page.
What is open and closed on Monday, Jan. 18
| Service | MLK Day 2027 |
|---|---|
| Charleston County School District | Schools and offices closed, per the 2026-27 calendar (PDF) |
| City offices and recreation facilities | 2027 notice not posted; closed for MLK Day in 2026 |
| City garbage and trash | 2027 schedule not posted; see below |
| Post offices | Closed, as on every federal holiday |
Trash pickup in 2026. The city’s 2026 MLK Day notice put city crews on a one-day delay for the whole week: Monday routes on Tuesday, Tuesday on Wednesday, Wednesday on Thursday and Thursday on Friday. Trident Waste on Johns Island, in outer West Ashley, on Daniel Island and in Cainhoy kept a normal schedule. The Municipal Golf Course kept normal hours. We will post the 2027 schedule here when the city does. Pickup days are on our trash and recycling page.
What this means for you
- The parade is Monday morning, Jan. 18; expect Fishburne Street to close early and the route to reopen around 1 p.m.
- Children have the day off school.
- Check back the week before for the YWCA’s full MLK week schedule and the police closure times.
Related: Emancipation Day Parade on Jan. 1, New Year’s Eve in Charleston and things to do this month.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Charleston MLK Day Parade in 2027?
Monday, Jan. 18, 2027. YWCA Greater Charleston’s application on the city’s Special Events Committee agenda of Oct. 28 lists the parade from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with lineup on Fishburne Street from 7 a.m.
What is the MLK parade route in Charleston?
The application lists Fishburne Street, Ashley Avenue, Sumter Street, King Street and Calhoun Street. In 2026 the parade went east on Fishburne, north on Ashley, east on Sumter, south on King and east on Calhoun to near Elizabeth Street, the Charleston Police Department said.
Are schools and City Hall closed on MLK Day 2027?
Charleston County School District schools and offices are closed Monday, Jan. 18, its 2026-27 calendar says. The city has not posted its 2027 closings; city offices and recreation facilities closed for MLK Day in 2026.
Is trash picked up on MLK Day in Charleston?
The city has not posted its 2027 schedule. In 2026 city crews ran one day late all week, and Trident Waste areas (Johns Island, outer West Ashley, Daniel Island and Cainhoy) kept a normal schedule.
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