Christmas might be the big celebration in December, but it certainly isn’t the only one that offers 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 and Ann Arbor, 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 2022.
Kwanzaa Cooking with Mama Ravin Regina at Bridging Communities
Dec. 22, 2022
- Address: 6900 McGraw Ave., Detroit
- Cost: $9, free/member
Come learn about the holiday of Kwanzaa and make delicious vegan dishes for the season with Mama Ravin Regina.
Motor City Kwanzaa Kinara Lighting in Campus Martius
Dec. 26, 2022
- 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.
Penny Pinchers Kwanzaa-preneurship at Detroit Main Library
Dec. 28, 2022
- Address: 5201 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: Free
Join the monthly club, Penny Pinchers, to learn about entrepreneurship and Ujamaa, the fourth principle of Kwanzaa. For ages 8-12. Reservations required.
Kwanzaa at The Wright 2022
Dec. 29, 2022
- Address: Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit
- Cost: Free with museum admission
Gather at the Wright Museum for an in-person celebration to honor Ujamaa, which is the principle of cooperative economics. There will also be a vendor marketplace.
Do you know of any other Kwanzaa family events in southeast Michigan? Tell us about them in the comments.
This post was originally posted in 2018 and is updated regularly.
