New York City’s longest-running Kwanzaa celebration returns for its 17th year
Credit: Winston Williams
Celebrate the spirit of Kwanzaa at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s 17th annual celebration in Crown Heights, the largest and longest-running Kwanzaa event in New York City. Hosted in partnership with the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation, the five-day festival will take place from Thursday, December 26, through Monday, December 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It features daily candle-lighting ceremonies, cultural performances, and hands-on workshops that explore the seven principles of Kwanzaa, the Nguzo Saba, emphasizing unity, self-determination, collective work, and creativity.
Each day of the celebration will feature unique and engaging programming, including candle-lighting rituals led by Chinua Baraka Payne and the Asase Yaa Youth Ensemble, performances by Kudo NYC and the Forces of Nature Incredible Youth Arts Alliance (FIYAA), and immersive dance and drumming workshops.
Families can also explore graffiti-inspired artwork in ColorLab and participate in hands-on activities that highlight the cultural depth and beauty of Kwanzaa.
The theme of this year’s festival, “Our Children Enlighten the Community,” is exemplified through awe-inspiring performances by Kudo NYC and FIYAA.
“As we mark our 17th year as New York City’s largest and longest-running family Kwanzaa celebration, we’ll see our young people embody the principles of Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), and Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) through their creative expressions and leadership,” Atiba T. Edwards, president and CEO of BCM, said.
BCM is located at 145 Brooklyn Avenue. General admission tickets are $15 and can be purchased here.
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