TAMPA BAY, Fla. — Every year on January 16, the nation celebrates the life, legacy and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Although the holiday is observed every third Monday of January, Dr. King's actual birthday fell on Tuesday, January 15. The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983 and it was first observed three years later. The civil rights activist would have been 94 years old this year.

From live music to parades, the Tampa Bay area has many events lined up for MLK Day Weekend. Be sure to check out these local festivities:

Citrus County:

(Jan 14-16) Unity Starts in the Heart - Inverness: This is a 3-day celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. including things like an oral history event at the Valerie Theatre, Gospel Music festival( 6 p.m. Saturday, free), a Freedom and Unity Walk (Valerie Theatre Plaza at 9 a.m.) and more. 

(Jan 14) Talk with Gilbert King (Author of Devin in the Grove) - Inverness: This is a part of the MLK "Unity Starts in the Heart" celebrations. This event costs $10.  4 - 6 p.m. 

Hernando County: 

(Jan 16) MLK Parade - Brooksville: The Dream Big, Anything is Possible Parade will be held at the Hernando High School at 111 Ernie Chatman Run. If you want to participate you are asked to line up at 8:30 a.m. at the Hernando County School District Office.

Hillsborough County:

(Jan 13) MLK Weekend Party - Tampa: This party will include recording artist and movie actress Siya. Cost ranges from $20-$40. 10 p.m.-3 a.m. at Sd Banquet Hall, 10101 U.S. 92.

(Jan 13) MLK Opening Ceremonies - Plant City: This is the start of a nine-day celebration. This event is free. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 13. Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center, 1601 E Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

(Jan 13) MLK Celebration - Ruskin: This event will take place with the Ifi Heritage Center to “Teach, Rise, and Move Forward!” This event is free. 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Jan. 13. Hillsborough Community College — SouthShore Campus, 551 24th St. NE.

(Jan 14) MLK Day Parade - Plant City: There will be live music at 11:30 a.m., followed by a parade at 1 p.m. Then, you can look forward to a drumline battle at 2:30 p.m. with more live music happening from 4 to 7 p.m. This event is free. The parade starts at Wheeler Rd. and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., heads east on MLK and ends at the Martin Luther King Recreation Center.

(Jan 14-15) Black Heritage Music Festival - Tampa: This year will be the 23rd annual festival and will feature music by Dru Hill, Siobhan Monique and Just Aaron (Saturday) and Jazz Funk Soul, Sarene and more (Sunday). Tickets range from $12-$200. 1-9 p.m.  Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Dr.

(Jan 14) Silent MLK Party - Tampa: Parades not your thing? Jam out with a pair of headphones and your favorite R&B or hip-hop music. This event costs $15. 9 p.m. Aloft Tampa Downtown, 100 W Kennedy Blvd.

(Jan 15) Leadership Breakfast - Plant City: Awards, scholarships and keynote speeches will be taking place at Hillsborough Community College's Plant City campus. The event runs from 7:30-9 a.m. in the Trinkle Center at 1206 N Park Road.

(Jan 16) MLK Parade - City of Tampa: Floats, marching bands, equestrian groups and decorated vehicles will be out in full force for this Tampa parade. This free event starts at noon. Parade begins at Cuscaden Park, 2901 N 15th St.

(Jan 16) MLK Leadership Breakfast - Tampa: This is the 43rd annual leadership breakfast for the Tampa Black Organization of Black Affairs. This event costs around $50. 6:45-9 a.m. Jan. 16. JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, 510 Water St.

Pinellas County:

(Jan 14) Black History Bike Tour - St. Petersburg: Come out and discover some interesting history about St. Petersburg’s African American residents with Josette Green, a local historian, on a 5-mile biking looping tour. This event is free. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Chief’s Creole Cafe, 901 22nd St. S.

(Jan 14) MLK Music and Art Festival - St. Petersburg: Join local vendors, listen to live music and enjoy the arts at this free event starting from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Albert Whitted Park, 480 Bayshore Drive SE.

(Jan 15) MLK Band Showcase - St. Petersburg: Listen to precision drumlines and brass sections from marching bands around the country. This event is free. 6-8:30 p.m. Jan. 15. Campbell Park Recreation Center, 601 14th St. S.

(Jan 16) MLK Leadership Awards Breakfast - St. Petersburg: This 37th annual breakfast event will include the theme, “A Vision of Eternal Hope." Costs range from $65-$650. 7:30-9:30 a.m. Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N.

(Jan 16) MLK Dream Big Weekend Event Parade - St. Petersburg: Come and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s memory with bands and many others. This event is free. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 16. The parade travels east to west on First Avenue S.

(Jan 16) Family Fun Day - St. Petersburg: This free event features bounces houses, vendors and more. 2:30-6 p.m. Lot 4, Tropicana Field, 198 17th St. S, St.

Pasco County:

(Jan 14) MLK Day Parade - Dade City: This parade route will start from Martin Luther King Blvd. to 7th St., then Meridian Ave., then 6th St., ending at the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center. You can be a part of the parade by meeting at Rodney B. Cox Elementary School. This event is free. 10 a.m. 37615 Martin Luther King Blvd.

(Jan 15) MLK Celebrating the Dream - New Port Richey:  This event will be held at Sims Park. You can enjoy music from Shevonne & The Force, The Black Honkeys and special guest Alex Harris.  This event is free in Downtown New Port Richey.

(Jan 16) MLK Event - Port Richey: Annual African American Club of Pasco event and Commemorative March happening at 10:30 a.m. at the Union Baptist Church located at 6235 Pine Hill Rd.  Then at 11 a.m. the Celebration Program at the Historic Booker T. Washington School located at 6105 Pine Hill Rd. 

Manatee County:

(Jan 13-15) MLK Celebration - Palmetto: The Palmetto Youth Center invites the community to come out for the MLK Banquet at the Seymore Sailes Gymnasium at 7 p.m on the 13th. You can order tickets here.

Then, starting at Noon on Saturday(14th), the MLK parade will begin at the parking lot of the Lincoln Middle School (305 17th St. E). The parade will go down 17th St. 

There will also be a talent show at the Seymore Sailes Gymnasium after the parade (3 p.m.). This event costs $5 per person. Kids 5 and under are free. 

Polk County

(Jan 14) MLK Parade - Winter Haven: This is the 44th Annual Parade and this year's theme is "Together We Can Be The Dream." 10 a.m.

(Jan 15) MLK Parade - Lakeland: The theme for this year's parade is "Dream, Vision, Unity." The parade route will run from 14th Street to Providence Road, south to 10th Street, east to Martin Luther King Jr. Ave and south to 2nd St. 11 a.m.

(Jan 16) Gospel Fest - Haines City: To kick off the MLK celebrations, Gospel Fest will kick off at 3 p.m. in Lake Eva Park.

(Jan 17) MLK Parade - Bartow: The theme of the Bartow Deacons and Stewards Alliance will be "We're better together." The parade route will run from Main Street to Carver Recreation Center. Noon.