Kwanzaa Events
PRE- KWANZAA EVENTS
Sunday, December 15th
Creative Suitland’s Kwanzaa Celebration 2023
“Umoja: A Kwanzaa Experience for Families!” Connect and create while sharing community at Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd Mount Rainier, MD. We’re bringing in the Kwanzaa season with special performances, hands-on craft workshops, demo classes, cultural face painting, diasporic food, and more. Free (donations welcome). See you there! Time 1 – 4 pm.
KWANZAA EVENTS
UMOJA (UNITY) THURSDAY, DEC. 26th
Kwanzaa Display Unveiling at Union Station. 50 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington, DC. Program starts at 12:00pm.
The Annual Umoja Candle-lighting Ceremony and Umoja Celebration by LCPAN. Includes African drum and dance performances, double dutch, spoken word, and more. Dinner Sales & African Marketplace sponsored by LCPAN. Location: Metropolitan AME Church, 1518 M St, NW, Washington, DC. Call 202-529-3635. Parking available. Program starts at 6:00pm.
KUJICHAGULIA (SELF-DETERMINATION) FRIDAY, DEC 27th
The Multi-Media Training Institute and African American Holiday Association will be presenting Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) hosted by Mama Ayo Handy-Kendi. This will be a potluck event, and families are invited. Our seating capacity is 80 people. At The New Cultural Cafe at Studio W, 5073 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC. Time 1 to 4 pm.
Kwanzaa Candle-lighting Celebration & Program by the Ausar Auset Society. Kujichagulia Night Theme: Upholding the Tradition and Culture of Our Ancestors. This event will feature spoken word, Innerattainment, children’s presentations, traditional Kwanzaa songs, and silent auction. In person at the Galbraith AM Zion Church, 1114 6th St, NW, Washington, DC. The program starts at 6pm.
UJIMA (COLLECTIVE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY) SATURDAY, DEC 28th
55th Annual Kwanzaa Children’s Party. Theme: Kwanzaa 365! Children ages 3-12. Sponsored by the Kwanzaa Children’s Party Committee, African Freedom Fund, DC Kwanzaa Planning Committee, Black Seeds, UNITEES, Black Classic Press, APPEAL, Inc, Blue Lotus Cultural Institute, and others. Featuring FaraFina Kan, Baba Bomani with Olu and DeLa. Activities will include Libation, Candle-lighting, African dance and drumming, Spoken Word, Storytelling, craft activity, Youth Entrepreneurs, and Zawadi(gifts) and Refreshments. For further information please call 202-390-3164 or 240-832-7203. At the Panorama Room (Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church) 1600 Morris Rd, SE, Washington, DC. From 12:00 to 3:00 pm.
THE UJIMA JOINT Kwanzaa Event and Candle-lightning Service presented by THE UJIMA JOINT In-Person & Virtual presented by Het Ra, Obi-1 “Obisanichiban” Holly, C. “Amenika The Great” Holly and Afi-Soul! Enjoy an Entertainment Experience through Spoken Word, Dance, Music and Theater…then join THE UJIMA JOINT Afterparty with DJ Amare!! Contact: 424-533-2868 or [email protected] for more info. Location: The New Cultural Café @Studio W (Episcopal Church of the Atonement) 5073 East Capitol St, SE, Washington, DC. You can also join virtually on Zoom with Meeting ID: 791 260 5131 Passcode: ujimajoint Time: 7pm(EST)/4pm(PST) until.
UJAMAA (COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS) SUNDAY, DEC. 29th
HoodSmart Presents Cooperative Economics – Ujamaa!
Come celebrate Ujamaa with us! Experience a live DJ, African dance and drum, a performance by Ayanna Gregory, and a panel discussion that will inspire us to use our talents to uplift our people and circulate our dollars within our community! Hosted by Mama Ateya, Mama Aboagyewaa, Baba Jua, with Baba Asikile on the 1s and 2s. BusBoys and Poets 625 Monroe St, NE, Washington, DC. (street and garage parking available). 6:00pm-8:00pm
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) MONDAY, DEC. 30th
THE ANNUAL NIA NIGHT CELEBRATION BY THE OFFICIAL UNIA-ACL WOODSON BANEKER JACKSON-BEY DIVISION 330.
We will feature libation to the Ancestors, a candle lighting ceremony, live performances, African drumming and dancing, children’s craft activities and our ceremony honoring “Marcus M. Garvey Outstanding Community Service Awardees” past and present. This event is co-sponsored by Heritage Gallery-UNIA in partnership with Thurgood Marshall Center Trust. For more info call: 202-529-3635 or 202-787-0251. Held at the Thurgood Marshall Center, 1816 12th St. NW, Washington, DC.From 6-10pm.
The UNIA-ACL RC 2020 Woodson Banneker Jackson-Bey Division will celebrate Kwanzaa Nia Karamu Music. Live entertainment. Dinner. Call 301-802-4022 for details. At the Macedonia Baptist Church, 5119 River Road, Bethesda, MD. Starts at 7pm.
KUUMBA (CREATIVITY) TUESDAY, 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) WEDNESDAY, 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 who 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 to Mama Makini Niliwaambieni, community educator and activist. Let’s close out this year’s Kwanzaa celebration together on a positive upbeat note. For more information, please call 240-832-7203 or 202-529-3635. Location: Roots PCS 15 Kennedy St, NW Washington, DC. Starts at 6pm.
For more information, please call 240-832-7203 or 202-529-3635. Starts at 6pm.
All events listed are FREE and Family Friendly
