Fort Wayne and Allen County government offices will shut down Monday, January 19, 2026, to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day, giving thousands of public workers the day off while essential services keep running.
The federal holiday always falls on the third Monday of January. This year it marks what would have been Dr. King’s 97th birthday and continues to be the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service.
City hall, county buildings, and most public services will be dark, but police, fire, and 911 never close.
Full List of Closures and Schedule Changes
Fort Wayne City Hall and all non-emergency city offices close Monday and reopen Tuesday at normal hours.
Allen County government offices, including the Courthouse and Citizens Square, follow the same schedule.
Garbage and recycling routes normally run on Monday will slide one day for the rest of the week. If your normal pickup is Monday, crews will come Tuesday; Tuesday routes move to Wednesday, and so on through Friday.
The Allen County Public Library’s main branch and all locations will also be closed Monday.
Most banks, post offices, and federal buildings close as well since MLK Day is one of the ten federal holidays.
Services That Never Stop
Some county operations run 24/7 no matter what.
The Allen County Jail, Juvenile Center, Youth Services Center, Community Corrections, Sheriff’s Department patrol division, and Highway Department road crews all stay on duty.
Fort Wayne’s three fire stations and police headquarters remain fully staffed.
Three Rivers Ambulance Authority (TRAA) and 911 dispatch never pause.
Local Events to Mark the Day
Fort Wayne’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration returns Monday morning at the Grand Wayne Center downtown.
The free program starts at 10 a.m. with music from the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir, remarks from community leaders, and the presentation of the annual Drum Major Awards.
Purdue Fort Wayne hosts its own MLK Day events throughout the day, including a noon convocation in the Auer Performance Hall featuring guest speaker Dr. Bernard Lafayette, a close friend and co-worker of Dr. King during the civil rights movement.
Several churches plan special services Sunday evening and Monday morning focused on King’s message of nonviolence and economic justice.
The YWCA of Northeast Indiana holds its 30th annual MLK Day program virtually and in person Monday afternoon, centered on the theme “It Starts With Me: Shifting Priorities to Create the Beloved Community.”
A Day On, Not a Day Off
Dr. King’s family has long asked Americans to treat the holiday as a day of service instead of just another long weekend.
Hundreds of local volunteers will fan out Monday for the United Way’s MLK Day of Service, painting, cleaning, and packing meals at sites across the city.
“If you want to honor my father, go out and do something for somebody else,” King’s daughter, Dr. Bernice King, said in a recent interview.
Fort Wayne residents can still sign up for volunteer spots through the United Way website or just show up at many project locations Monday morning.
From closed offices to open hearts, Fort Wayne pauses Monday to remember a man who changed America and to continue the work he started.
What does MLK Day mean to you and your family? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and if you’re volunteering or attending an event, tag #FortWayneMLK2026 so we can share the best photos all day.
