Kwanzaa will start on December 26 and run through January 1. Read on for upcoming celebrations that are sure to entertain as well as honor Kwanzaa’s principles of family, community and culture.
27th Annual Community Kwanzaa Celebration
Who: All ages
What: Sister Kellia Sweatt will kick off this celebration with a ceremonial lighting of the Kwanzaa candles and a proclamation of the holiday’s seven principles. Afterwards, kids can get their faces painted by Chandra Mustaffa and watch a children’s fashion show courtesy of Z By Ozi clothing. The Umoja Dance Company will also inject extra energy into the event with a dance performance.
Where: Montclair Public Library, 50 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ
When: Saturday, December 12, 2:00 – 4:30pm (African Market opens at 1:00pm)
Cost: Free. No registration required
Kwanzaa Children’s Festival and Marketplace
Who: All ages
What: Celebrate with dancing, singing and the Arts and Crafts Village that you can help create. Cameroon will be the featured Country of Honor.
Where: NJPAC, 1 Center St, Newark, NJ
When: Saturday, December 19, 12:00pm
Cost: Free
Forces of Nature Dance Theater: Kwanzaa Celebration
Who: Dance lovers
What: Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind dance troupe that blends modern dance, traditional West African dance, ballet, hip-hop and martial arts.
Where: NJPAC, Victoria Theater, 1 Center St, Newark, NJ
When: Saturday, December 19, 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Cost: $29 – $45 per ticket, additional charges may apply
Celebrating Kwanzaa
Who: All ages
What: Enjoy a full day of events including a Spoken Word Performance by Ayoinmotion, an African Person Craft Workshop by Vicki Fremont, alternating movie screenings of Our Time at Last and A Rugrats Kwanzaa and music and dance performances.
Where: The African Burial Ground National Monument, 290 Broadway in lower Manhattan
When: Saturday, December 26th, 10:30am-5:00pm
Cost: Free
Kwanzaa 2015: Energize, Recognize!
Who: All ages
What: Delight in this entertainment-packed spectacular at The American Museum of Natural History with special guest, beatboxer Doug. E. Fresh. Highlights include: master drummers, a special opening by the Harlem School of the Arts and the landmark movie The Black Candle: A Kwanzaa Celebration followed by a musical tribute to the film’s narrator, Dr. Maya Angelou, and a Q&A with the filmmaker and the Senior Editor of EBONY.
Where: Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, at the American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St., Manhattan, NY
When: Sunday, December 27, two seatings – 12:00 & 3:00pm
Cost: Free for members or with Museum Admission. RSVP not required.
Kwanzaa Celebration: Regeneration Night
Who: Dance lovers
What: If you miss them at NJPAC, Abdel Salaam’s Forces of Nature Dance Theatre will also be performing at the Apollo. Enjoy an evening of dance and music, hosted by WBLS personality Imhotep Gary Byrd.
Where: Apollo Theater, 253 W. 125th St, New York, NY
When: Sunday, December 27 at 2pm & 7:30pm
Cost: $20; Premium $35, Apollo Advantage: $14
