Watch: 2026 MLK Day Unity Parade in Downtown Houston

HOUSTON - For the first time, two competing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day parades came together to celebrate and honor MLK on Monday.

The MLK Day Unity Parade united two parades by the Black Heritage Society and the MLK Grande Parade after years of separation.

MLK Day parade Grand Marshals

Grand marshals for the parade were Mayor John Whitmire, rapper and former host of the Madd Hatta Morning Show on 97.9 The Box, Mad Hatta, and Charles Stamps, the Chairman and CEO of the MLK Grande Parade Foundation.

Parade route

The parade took place near Houston City Hall.

Expect these road closures:

• McKinney between Bagby & Smith 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Walker between Bagby and Smith 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Smith between Rusk and Dallas 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• McKinney between Smith & Louisiana (north and south curb lanes) at 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Brazos between Dallas & Lamar (two center lanes) at 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.Note: East & West curb lanes will remain open
• Note: East & West curb lanes will remain open
• Lamar between Smith & Bagby (two south curb lanes) at 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Corner of Sabine at Allen Pkwy re-directing traffic coming from Hwy 45 Off Ramp into Sabine towards
• Memorial Dr. 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Allen Parkway (inbound/outbound) between Sheperd & Smith 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.Allow in/out access on from Clay St to W. Dallas east curb lane to C Baldwin Hotel
• Allow in/out access on from Clay St to W. Dallas east curb lane to C Baldwin Hotel
• Bagby (northbound) between Dallas & McKinney 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Bagby (southbound) between Walker & Clay 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.Re-directing traffic coming from Hwy 45 Off Ramp into Bagby northbound
• Re-directing traffic coming from Hwy 45 Off Ramp into Bagby northbound
• Lamar between Louisiana & outbound Allen Parkway at I-45 overpass 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Gillette St. (close midblock - beginning north of The Federal Reserve Bank to Allen Parkway) 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.