Christmas and Hanukkah might be the big celebrations in December, but they aren’t the only ones that offer fun for families. The cold and snowy final month of the year also features other religious and historical holidays, alongside cultural ones like Kwanzaa.
During this holiday, which runs Dec. 26-Jan. 1 every year, Americans of African descent from all over the country gather to celebrate African heritage.
This includes learning about the seven principles of Kwanzaa — unity, self-determination, work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
In metro Detroit, cultural institutions and organizations step these celebrations up a notch with a variety of Kwanzaa events for the whole family. Here are some of our favorite happenings in 2023.
Kwanzaa at The Wright 2023 at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Dec. 26, 2023-Jan. 1, 2024
- Address: 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit
- Cost: Free with museum admission
Gather at The Wright for an in-person celebration to celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa. There will be a daily kinara lighting ceremony, storytelling and performances.
Kwanzaa Celebration at Jefferson Branch
Dec. 26, 2023
- Address: 12350 Outer Drive East, Detroit
- Cost: Free
Families can come out to Detroit Public Library – Jefferson Branch to celebrate Kwanzaa with stories, songs and crafts.
Motor City Kwanzaa Kinara Lighting in Campus Martius
Dec. 26, 2023
- Address: 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: Free
Head to Campus Martius to see the world’s largest Kwanzaa Kinara, as it is put alongside the Christmas Tree and Menorah.
Kwanzaa Cooking Class at Bridging Communities
Dec. 28, 2023
- Address: 6900 McGraw, Detroit
- Cost: $9, free/TimeBank member
Learn how to make delicious vegan dishes from Mama Ravin Regina Lawson for Kwanzaa at Bridging Communities. Mama Ravin will also share how Kwanzaa relates to TimeBank core principles.
This post was originally posted in 2018 and is updated regularly.
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