Kwanzaa is celebrated each year between December 26 and January 1. It celebrates and honors the African heritage, and the name comes from Swahili, meaning “harvest” or “first fruits.” Celebrations often include feasts, dancing, music, storytelling, and more, and there is a heavy emphasis on family tradition, culture, and community.
Each day highlights one of the seven principles, which are Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith). A kinara holds seven candles, of which three are green, three are red, and one is black.
Here are some Kwanzaa activities both near and far where families can celebrate.
Bloomfield Town Hall (1 Municipal Plaza, Bloomfield) will host their annual holiday celebration on Monday, December 5, at 6:00 PM. Enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, singing, and a special appearance by Santa Claus! This is a free event open to all residents. At 6:30 PM, enjoy caroling by the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and the High School Concert Choir, as well as the lighting of the Christmas Tree along with a special Hanukkah presentation by Rabbi Katz and a Kwanzaa presentation.
NAACP Rahway Branch will present Ujamaa Economic Power Kwanzaa Celebration on December 10 at Rahway Recreation Center (3 City Hall Plaza, Rahway). Celebrate the unique African American celebration of Kwanzaa (first fruits). In addition to the candle lighting ceremony, there will be vendors, food, music, live performances, and activities for children. This family-friendly event is free and will run from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
NJPAC (1 Center Street, Newark) will host their annual Kwanzaa Festival and Marketplace on Saturday, December 17, from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The family-friendly festival includes a variety of activities, including dance classes, arts and crafts, storytelling, face painting, and a Kwanzaa candle lighting ceremony. The festival is free. Visit the website for a full schedule.
Sesame Place (100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA) will host a Kwanzaa Celebration daily between December 26 and January 1. Enjoy a festive and fun Kwanzaa Celebration. Join your favorite Sesame Street friends each night of Kwanzaa for a special Storytime and Kinara lighting as you learn all about the celebrations and principles of Kwanzaa. The celebration will take place at 4:30 PM on the Sesame Street Neighborhood. Capacity is limited and the event is first come, first served.
Staten Island Children’s Museum (1000 Richmond Terrace, Building M, Staten Island, NY) will host Kwanzaa Dance Parties on December 26, 28, and 30. Kwanzaa is an American holiday created as a tool for healing, incorporating principles that promote affirming and positive messages that transcend ethnicity. Choreographer, author, dancer, Walter Rutledge’s Kwanzaa Dance Party incorporates the traditional elements of the holiday while introducing new movement, art, and music concepts. Joining Walter are percussionist Nathanial Steely and West African dancer Nubia Braithwaite. Together, they will introduce the principles of Kwanzaa through dance, singing, music, and art as part of a fun and engaging experience. Workshops will be held at 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:30 pm 3:30 pm and are included with admission.
If you’d like to help children learn about Kwanzaa, we’ve gathered some fun craft ideas that children will enjoy. You can also stop by the library or a local bookstore to explore books for all ages.
This yarn wrapped kinara craft is a simple activity for preschoolers and older children alike. Using craft sticks and yarn, children will create the kinara and the seven candles in the appropriate colors. The sticks can then be glued to a piece of card stock. To get the most out of the craft, you could add one “candle” to the kinara each day and discuss each principle in an age-appropriate manner.
The Mkeka is the Kwanzaa mat. It represents a foundation of history and tradition. In this craft, children can weave their own mkeka out of construction paper. These can be used as placemats during a holiday meal.
Corn is a symbol of the harvest, and it also represents children in a family. There are many simple corn craft ideas that involve cutting paper to the shape of corn and then painting, coloring, or using bubble wrap to create the kernels. Here’s a very easy tutorial.
