5 things to do this weekend, including MLK Day celebrations and the Boston Celtic Music Festival

We may already be two weeks into January, but there’s still time for New Year’s resolutions and fresh beginnings. For some people, that may be eating healthier foods or the classic hope of reading more books. For others, it may be going out and experiencing more live arts performances. This weekend, there are many events across Greater Boston, including some that are free and open to the public, to help those looking to expand their creative palate.

Speakeasy Stage and Front Porch Arts Collective present “Ain’t No Mo’.” The Tony-nominated production kicks off with a drag queen flight attendant ushering Black U.S. residents onto a one-way flight back to Africa. The show continues with other comedic scenes about the Black American experience. The play runs for an hour and 40 minutes with no intermission. Tickets range from $25 to $85. [Check out our winter arts guide for more theater recommendations.]

Ship up to Cambridge and Somerville for the Boston Celtic Music Festival. The 22nd annual event will take place at Club Passim, Somerville Theatre, Crystal Ballroom, The Burren and The Rockwell. The festival will celebrate music and dance from Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, Quebecois and other Celtic communities. Some of the acts include the four-part vocal harmony group Magpie and Celtic fiddler Isabel Oliart. Iconic Irish folk band Dervish will also perform on Saturday night. Tickets range from $25 to $85.

The Cuban and contemporary global Malpaso Dance Company will perform at the Emerson Paramount Center as part of the Celebrity Series of Boston. Malpaso began in 2012 and presents 11 dancers under Artistic Director Osnel Delgado, Executive Director Fernando Sáez, and choreographer and dancer Daile Carrazana. The ensemble will perform three works: “Floor… y Ando!” by Ephrat Asherie, “Why You Follow” by Ronald K. Brown and “A Dancing Island” by Delgado. Tickets range from $56 to $104. [Check out our winter dance guide for more events.]

Young cinephiles and their guardians can head over to Belmont World Film’s 22nd Annual Family Festival for imaginative movies from around the globe. Many of the works revolve around books turned into movies like “Hitpig!” — an adaptation of Berkeley Breathed’s “Pete & Pickles” about a pig-for-hire who rescues an elephant from a mean circus owner. (I will be moderating a Q&A with co-director David Feiss following the screening on Jan. 19.) Artist-in-residence Feiss will also lead a workshop on drawing “Minions” and “Hotel Transylvania” characters. He was a story artist on “Hotel Transylvania,” “Despicable Me” and “The Secret Life of Pets.” Screenings will run at the West Newton Cinema, the Regent Theatre and the Brattle Theatre. The festival is geared toward ages 3-12. Tickets to individual events range from $8 to $20. A films only pass is $35, and a VIP pass is $100. [For more film festival recommendations, check out our seasonal arts guide.]

Civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. is honored every third Monday of January for his leadership in peaceful protests for desegregation and equity. Those looking to reflect on his legacy can visit “The Embrace” sculpture on Boston Common. The monument by Hank Willis Thomas depicts a moment of King and his wife Coretta Scott King holding each other. The couple met in Boston when he was a doctoral candidate at Boston University’s School of Theology, and she was attending the New England Conservatory of Music.

The city will also be hosting formal events to honor King. The 55th Annual MLK Memorial Breakfast will take place at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport with keynote speaker Angela Davis. The discussion will surround the idea that “Freedom Isn’t Free.” Community leaders will be honored, and students will be awarded scholarships recognizing a new generation of future leaders. The Boston Children’s Chorus will hold its 22nd annual tribute concert to King on Monday afternoon. “Road to Freedom” will reflect on the legacies of King and Malcolm X and their united vision for civil rights and freedom.

Bostonians looking to engage with visual art can visit the following museums for free: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and Peabody Essex Museum in Salem.