Where to Celebrate Kwanzaa in New York Metro Area

Kwanzaa Celebrations in Manhattan

Kwanzaa Family Celebration
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 26 , 11am-2pm
WHERE: Museum of The City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave., East Harlem
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate Kwanzaa at the Museum by making a mkeka to learn about this African-American holiday. Enjoy a special snack while you create your placemat.
WANT TO GO? $18; $12 seniors and students; free for children 19 and younger. 212-534-1672. mcny.org.

Kwanzaa 2018
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 29 , 12-5pm
WHERE: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street, Upper West Side
AGES: All
WHAT: A celebration of African-American heritage that is rooted in seven principles known as Nguzo Saba, which promote unity, culture, and community development. The festival features a local artisan marketplace. Black Comics Collective hosts a live drawing performance inspired by the seven principles and Oyu Oro Collective performs music and dance from Afro-Cuban traditions. Kwanzaa is hosted by Dr. Linda H. Humes, scholar and storyteller.
WANT TO GO? $23; $18 seniors and students; $13 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2. 212-769-5100. amnh.org.

FunikiJam's Holiday Beat
WHEN: Nov. 23 - Dec. 30 , see website for showtimes
WHERE: Actor's Temple Theatre, 339 W. 47th St., Midtown 
AGES: 3-5, 5-8, 9-12, Adult 
WHAT: When Bahjat wants to throw a holiday party that includes everyone, Captain Jam and the Agents of Jam take him on a globe-spanning musical adventure to complete Special Mission: HOLIDAY PARTY and throw the ultimate celebration. Part live concert and part stage show, FunikiJam’s HOLIDAY BEAT is New York City’s only off-Broadway show this season to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Chinese New Year, and Shichigosan - for kids. 
WANT TO GO? $30. 212-947-3499. funikijam.com.

RELATED: 2017 Holiday Markets, Fairs, and Festivals in NYC

Kwanzaa Celebrations in Brooklyn

10th Annual Celebrate Kwanzaa!
WHEN: Dec. 26 -30, Check schedule for details
WHERE: Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights
AGES: All
WHAT: Learn about the African-American holiday and explore Kwanzaa’s seven principles.
WANT TO GO? $11; free for children younger than 1. 718-735-4400. brooklynkids.org.

ShopRite Kidz Cook: Winter Holidays
WHEN: Dec. 7 -28, Fridays, 3 and 4pm
WHERE: Staten Island Children's Museum, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island
AGES: 3-12
WHAT: Make delicious cookies to celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Omisoka, the Japanese new year.
WANT TO GO? $8. 718-273-2060. sichildrensmuseum.org.

Home for the Holidays
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 14 , 6:30-7:30pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Music School, 126 Saint Felix St., Fort Greene
AGES: All
WHAT: The show will feature holiday songs of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, and scenes from popular musicals such as Ragtime, Into the Woods, and The Wiz.
WANT TO GO? $12; $15 at door . 718-638-5660. brooklynmusicschool.org.

 

Kwanzaa Celebrations in Queens

FREE 34th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 8 , 11am - 7pm
WHERE: Langston Hughes Library-Community Cultural Center, 100-01 Northern Blvd., Flushing
AGES: All
WHAT: Shop at the Kwanzaa marketplace and enjoy a full day of craft workshops, live music, dance, and spoken word performances!
WANT TO GO? 718-875-3500. queenslibrary.org.

FREE Holiday Movie Magic
WHEN: Dec. 1 -26, Saturday, Mondays, and select Thursdays, 1pm
WHERE: Rochdale Village Library, 169-09 137th Ave., Jamaica
AGES: All
WHAT: Families are welcome to see a childhood classic or a new favorite! 12/1: A Rugrats Hannukah, 12/8: Home Alone, 12/10: A Charlie Brown Christmas, 12/17: A Muppet Christmas Carol, 12/22: How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 12/26: The Proud Family - Seven Days of Kwanzaa.
WANT TO GO? 718-723-4440. queenslibrary.org.

 

Kwanzaa Celebrations in Westchester County

FREE Holiday Crafts
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 22 , 11am
WHERE: The Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill
AGES: All
WHAT: Make a festive craft for Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa.
WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

Holiday Stories from Around the World
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 15 , 3pm
WHERE: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers 
AGES: All 
WHAT: Join April Armstrong and Mario Sprouse as they perform holiday stories from around the world from Victorian Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah traditions. 
WANT TO GO? $7; $5 seniors; $4 children ages 3-18; free for children younger than 3. 914-963-4550. hrm.org.

Kwanzaa Celebrations on Long Island

FREE Kwanzaa Celebration
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 2 , 2-3:30pm
WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood
AGES: All
WHAT: Norman Daniels discusses this unique American holiday and presents songs, music, poetry and dancing.
WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

 

Kwanzaa Celebrations in Bergen County

Kwanzaa Festival & Marketplace
WHEN: Dec. 14 -15, Friday, 6-10pm; Saturday, 10am-10pm
WHERE: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark
AGES: All
WHAT: NJPAC’s most popular community marketplace offers more options than ever, including custom and cultural clothing, handcrafted jewelry, bath and body products, candles, books, and art.
WANT TO GO? FREE admission; prices for goods varies. 800-466-5722. njpac.org.

FREE Kwanzaa Festival at NJPAC
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 15 , 10am
WHERE: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark
AGES: All
WHAT: Enjoy West African dance and drums, a Kwanzaa ceremony and storytelling, arts and crafts, including arm knitting, live performances, and more.
WANT TO GO? 800-466-5722. njpac.org.

Forces of Nature Dance Theatre with Sweet Honey in the Rock
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 15 , 2pm and 7:30pm
WHERE: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate Kwanzaa with this dazzling dance company, which joins the powerful musical collective Sweet Honey In The Rock.
WANT TO GO? $49-$69. 800-466-5722. njpac.org.

RELATED: Where to See Holiday Train Shows in NYC

   

Main photo: A Kwanzaa celebration at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan
Courtesy ©AMNH/R.Mickens