The holiday season is in full swing, and that includes celebrating Kwanzaa! Kwanzaa is a week-long African American elebrating history, family, and the Seven Principles of African culture: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).
Running from December 26th through January 1st, practitioners light a candle each night to honor the core principle of that day. If you’re looking for somewhere to celebrate Kwanzaa in South Central PA, look no further!
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Kwanzaa Events in Berks County
- NAACP December Meeting and Holiday Social, United Labor Council: December 11th at 5:00pm. Happy Holidays! All are welcome to the December Annual Meeting. Help us celebrate the Branch achievements of 2023. Celebrating Kwanzaa, an African American celebration highlighting the culture of the entire African diaspora and gives the community a chance to come together to reflect upon important values. In person, the meeting will be held at the United Labor Council Building 1251 North Front Street, Reading, PA 19601. Email [email protected] or call 1 877-262-5148 for more information.
Kwanzaa Events in Dauphin County
- Kwanzaa Community Celebration, Camp Curtin School Gymnasium: December 9th from 10:00am – 5:00pm. Nathaniel Gadsen’s Writers Wordshop and Life Esteem Inc present “From the Past to the Future: A History of Activism” Kwanzaa Community Celebration.
Kwanzaa Events in Lancaster County
- Kwanzaa Storytime, Lancaster Public Library: December 27th at 6:00pm. The Lancaster African American Cultural Alliance will be presenting a Kwanzaa Storytime! Whether you are celebrating Kwanzaa or learning about it, join us for stories, songs, crafts and more!
- Annual Kwanzaa Celebration, Bright Side Opportunities Center: Join us for a vibrant celebration of culture and community at our Annual Kwanzaa Celebration! An evening of joyous festivities awaits with Live Music Performances, Spoken Word Poetry, Delicious Food, STEM Activities, Stepping Performances, Fellowship and Fun. This is a FREE event open to all ages. Bring your family and friends to experience the warmth and wisdom of Kwanzaa traditions.
- Children of Afrika School 50th Reunion, The Hub: Friends of the Children of Afrika School join us as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary with food, fellowship and a Kwanzaa celebration. Limited space so RSVP now at [email protected].
Kwanzaa Events Around South Central PA
- Kwanzaa Celebration, Philadelphia: December 22nd from 12:00pm – 3:00pm. Come and join us for our 2nd Annual Kwanzaa celebration featuring the best of people of African descent. Families, community, and children are invited to the showing of Philadelphia’s iconic film maker MK Asante’s documentary ‘The Black Candle’. Come and join us for eats, treats, dance, music, free children’s books, and winter children’s clothing give away.
- Kwanzaa Celebration, Franklin Square in Philadelphia: December 29th from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Inspired by the fourth principle of Kwanzaa, Ujamaa or cooperative economics, meaning “to build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together,” AAMP has curated a family-friendly market experience featuring Black-owned vendors from across the region with gifts (or Zawadi in Swahili) just in time for the holiday season, a Kwanzaa-themed quizzo, food trucks, music, and more.
- 40th Annual Kwanzaa Children’s Festival, Penn Museum: December 29th from 12:00pm – 5:00pm. Celebrate the magic of Kwanzaa with holiday activities for the whole family, including a traditional candle ceremony, stilt ballet performances, games, and food. Admission is free.
- Kwanzaa Celebration, Sesame Place: December 26th through January 1st. Join us for a festive and fun Kwanzaa Celebration! Join your favorite Sesame Street friends each night of Kwanzaa for a Kinara lighting as we learn all about the celebrations and principles of Kwanzaa.
- Kwanzaa Celebration, Please Touch Museum: December 29th. Join us in celebrating Kwanzaa! Please Touch Museum will highlight African diasporic traditions through chef demonstrations and storytelling.
