HOUSTON (KIAH) — Big changes are coming to Houston’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations. Starting in 2026, the city will host one unified MLK parade instead of two separate events. Mayor John Whitmire made the announcement Tuesday at City Hall, calling it a historic step forward after more than three decades of efforts to bring the parades together. The change follows months of discussions between the Mayor’s Office, City Council, and parade organizers, including the Black Heritage Society. Previous efforts to unify the parades, including those by former Mayor Sylvester Turner, were unsuccessful. The new "Unity MLK Parade" is scheduled for January 19, 2026. The City of Houston says additional details will be released in the coming weeks.