Kwanzaa Events

PRE- KWANZAA EVENTS

Saturday, December 16th

Creative Suitland’s Kwanzaa Celebration 2023

Creative Suitland Arts Center 4719 Silver Hill Rd, Suitland, MD. Performance Night (featuring Ni Dembaye African Drum & Dance Ensemble). General admission is $12, seniors and children under 18 $10, and children younger than 3 years old free. For more info, visit www.creativesuitland.org. Kuumba Marketplace is from 4pm to 7pm, then the program is from 7pm to 9pm.

UMOJA (UNITY) TUESDAY, DEC. 26th

The Annual Umoja Candle-lighting Ceremony and Umoja Celebration by LCPAN

Includes Duval African Students Association Dancers, spoken word, and more. Dinner Sales & African Marketplace sponsored by LCPAN. Location: Northeastern Presbyterian Church, 2112 Varnum St, NE. Call 202.529.3635. Parking available in lot beside church on Eastern Ave. Program starts at 6:00pm.

KUJICHAGULIA (SELF-DETERMINATION) WEDNESDAY, DEC 27th

Kwanzaa Candle-lighting Virtual Celebration & Program by the Ausar Auset Society.

Kujichagulia Night theme: Giving back to the Community Strengthens the Community. This hybrid event will feature spoken word, Black History Family Feud, Innerattainment, children’s presentations, traditional Kwanzaa songs, and silent auction. At Galbraith AME Zion Church, 1114 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20001. Please call 202.630.2507 for info. Zoom ID: 209 659 8892 Passcode: determine. The program starts at 6pm.

ADACI will celebrate Kujichagulia-Self Determination with Sankofa Video and Books.

On the second night of Kwanzaa. Please join us for an evening of celebration, enlightenment, and enter-entertainment. Sankofa Video, 2714 Georgia Ave, Washington, DC, 20002. Starts 8:00 pm.

UJIMA (COLLECTIVE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY) THURSDAY, DEC 28

HoodSmart & AteyaProductions in partnership with We Act Radio, BusBoys and Poets and AYA’s Willing Workers.

Presents African dancing, drumming, spoken word, high vibrational youth entertainment by up-and-coming DC artists, teen panel discussion moderated by DJ FLAVA of WKYS and more! Location: BusBoys and Poets 625 Monroe St, NE, WDC (street and garage parking available). 6pm-8pm.

THE UJIMA JOINT Virtual Kwanzaa Event and Candle-lightning Service presented by House of Ra, Obi-1 “Obisanichiban” Holly, Amenika “The Great” Holly and Afi-Soul!

Tune In and Enjoy an Entertainment Experience through Spoken Word, Dance, Music and Theater!! Zoom Meeting ID: 791 260 5131 Password: ujimajoint Contact: (424) 533-2868 or [email protected] for more info. Time: 7pm (EST) / 4pm (PST) until!

UJAMAA (COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS) Friday, DEC. 29th

The Annual Ujamaa Kwanzaa Candle-lighting Celebration & Program

The Annual Ujamaa Kwanzaa Candle-lighting Celebration & Program – Featuring children’s performances by Ujamaa Shule students, performances by the Ujamaa Dancers & Drummers, vegan food, and more. 1554 8th St, NW (8th & Q St. NW) Washington, DC. Call 202.232.2997 for info. Starts at 7pm.

NIA (PURPOSE) SATURDAY, DEC. 30th

54th Annual Kwanzaa Children’s Party. Theme: Kwanzaa 365!

Children ages 3-12. At the Evangelical Luther Church of Our Redeemer @ 1725 Michigan Avenue, NE, Washington, D.C. Sponsored by the Kwanzaa Children’s Party Committee, ABEN, DC Kwanzaa Planning Committee, Black Seeds, UNITEES and APPEAL, Inc. Featuring FaraFina Kan, Baba Bomani with Olu and DeLa. Activities will include Libation, Candle-lighting, African dance and drumming, Spoken Word, Storytelling, Youth Entrepreneurs, and Zawadi(gifts) and Refreshments. (use entrance on 19th St parking lot in back) For further information please call 202.390.3164 or 240.832.7203. From 12:00 to 3:00 pm.

The Annual Kwanzaa Nia Night Celebration by the Official UNIA-ACL Woodson Banneker Jackson-Bey Division 330.

We will feature libation to the Ancestors, a candle lighting ceremony, children’s craft activities, performances by Malcolm X African Drummers and Dancers, Soloist “Foluke”, Raheem Rasta and Sister “BJ”’s Musical Poetry and Speaker Keith Sydnor, Laurel, Md. Mayor. There will be our ceremony honoring “Marcus M. Garvey Outstanding Community Service Awardees” past and present. Finally, a Special Remembrance Tribute to the First Division 330 President Baba Oduno Tarik. This event is co-sponsored by Heritage Gallery-UNIA in partnership with Thurgood Marshall Center Trust. Held at the Thurgood Marshall Center, 1816 12th St. NW WDC 20009. For more info call: 202-529-3635 or 202-787-0251. From 5-9pm.

KUUMBA (CREATIVITY) SUNDAY, DEC 31th

Spend this night with family and friends reflecting on how you can make changes to yourself and the world in the upcoming year.

IMANI (FAITH) MONDAY, JAN. 1st

Annual Free the Land Kwanzaa 3.1 – 5 Mile Fun Run/Walk/Bike

At Lake Artemisia Park, Berwyn Rd. and 55th Ave., Greenbelt, MD. Make a healthy new start for the New Year! Bring the whole family! For more info. Contact: Baba Prince Kolani 202.520.4669 or [email protected]. 12 noon.

Community Kwanzaa Imani Celebration and Afrikan Consciousness Award Presentation sponsored by the DC PanAfrikan Council of Elders.

We will be honoring outstanding members of the next generation of leaders, carrying the torch of freedom in this century. Ancestral Altar by ADACI. Performances by the Malcolm X Drummers & Dancers and presentation of this year’s Afrikan Consciousness Award posthumously to Baba Oduno Tarik, community activist. We will also have the prize drawings of the winners in APPEAL’s “Flash Mob” Black Business Initiative. Let’s close out this year’s Kwanzaa celebration together on a positive upbeat note. Location: Roots Public Charter School, 15 Kennedy Street, NW, Washington DC at 6pm

Asante Sana Mama Nia…Peace!

For more information, please call 240.832.7203 or 202.529.3635. Starts at 6pm.

All events listed are FREE and Family Friendly