City Building Closures for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

Des Moines, Iowa- Thursday, January 15, 2026 - The City of Des Moines will observe Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 19, 2026. In recognition of the holiday, all City administrative buildings will be closed. However, there will be no changes or delays to garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection services on this day.

The Des Moines Public Library will also honor Dr. King's legacy. While all library locations will be closed for normal operations on Monday, January 19, the Forest Avenue Library (1326 Franklin Ave.) will host its annual MLK Day celebration from 3:30-5 p.m. This year's event will feature a keynote address by Bo James, Believer/Executive Director of Hip Hope Inc.

Des Moines Parks and Recreation invites the community to participate in the annual MLK Jr. Donate & Skate event at Brenton Skating Plaza. From noon to 9 p.m. on Monday, guests can enjoy free skating in exchange for donations of non-perishable food items or new and gently used warm clothing. All collected items will be donated to Central Iowa Shelter & Services. NOTE: Pay attention to the weather and stay safe (see Weather Advisory information below).

Join us as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s enduring legacy of service and community.

Weather Advisory

In response to extreme cold weather over the weekend, the Polk County Extreme Temperature Plan will be activated at 6 p.m. on Friday, January 16 through at least Tuesday, January 20 (tentative). More information and a list of warming resources are available on Polk County's website.

The Central Library meeting room annex (1000 Grand Ave.) will be open as a warming center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, despite the holiday closure of the rest of the facility.

Service Advisory

When City administration buildings reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 20, some offices will begin accepting customers at the T.M. Franklin Cownie City Administration Building (1200 Locust St.). These offices will be closed on Friday, Jan. 16 to facilitate the move.

• Development Services
• Neighborhood Services
• Permit and Development Center

Before visiting, check DSM.city/Moving for the latest information about where City departments are located.

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About the City of Des Moines

The City of Des Moines is Iowa's capital city and our 17 departments serve more than 214,000 residents and 46 neighborhood associations. Des Moines is a leader in sustainability and provides its residents with vibrant neighborhoods, an alive and active downtown, and abundant leisure opportunities.

Des Moines continuously improves neighborhoods, public safety and quality of life by offering exceptional city services and reliable infrastructure while fostering an involved and compassionate community for all who visit and live in Des Moines.

Visit DSM.city and Facebook for more information.