Where to Celebrate Kwanzaa in New York Metro Area

Find great Kwanzaa events for your family in NYC, Long Island, and New Jersey.

By NYMetroParents Calendar Editor December 19, 2019

Kwanzaa is an African American celebration of culture, unity, and family. This year, Kwanzaa is celebrated Dec. 26-Jan. 1, 2019. It's a wonderful opportunity to explore African American history or celebrate your people. Here's where you can learn about and celebrate Kwanzaa in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, and Westchester and Bergen counties.

Kwanzaa Celebrations in Manhattan

Kwanzaa Family Celebration
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 26, 11am-2pm
WHERE: Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Celebrate Kwanzaa and learn about the history and traditions of this African-American holiday. Make your own Mkeak (mat) and Kinara (candle holder). Use symbolic colors and discover their meaning while enjoying a special snack.
WANT TO GO? Free with museum admission ($20 adults; free for anyone younger than 20). 212-534-1672. mcny.org.

Kwanzaa Festival
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 28, 12-5pm
WHERE: The American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park W., 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. This year's celebration will feature live musical performances, a drum call procession, and a local artisan marketplace.
WANT TO GO? Free with museum admission ($22 adults; $13 children ages 2-12). 212-769-5100. amnh.org.

Kwanzaa Celebrations in Brooklyn

Kwanzaa Marketplace
WHEN: Dec. 1-22, Dec. 1 and Dec. 22, 3-6pm
WHERE: Cumbe: Center for African and Diaspora Dance, 1368 Fulton St., Bedford-Stuyvesant
AGES: All
WHAT: You are invited to unleash your inner Kuumba (creativity) and Kujichagulia (self-determination) as vendors will be showing you how to make fun gifts and crafts through dance and music demos.
WANT TO GO? $10 suggested donation. 718-935-9700. cumbedance.org.

Celebrate Kwanzaa with Asase Yaa and Brooklyn Children's Museum
WHEN: Dec. 26-31, 10am-5pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights
AGES: All
WHAT: Learn about the history and significance of Kwanzaa, play the djembe drum, create Zawadi gifts, and hear African folktales.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids can help paint a mural that explores each of Kwanzaa’s principles with painter ZuluSoul.
WANT TO GO? $13; free for members and infants younger than 12 months; pay as you wish Thursdays, 2-6pm, and Sundays, 4-7pm. 718-735-4400. brooklynkids.org.

Kwanzaa Celebrations in Queens

FREE Friends Of St. Albans Presents Kwanzaa Talk, Trim Our Tree & Holiday Celebration
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 21, 1:30-4pm
WHERE: Queens Library–St. Albans Branch, 191-05 Linden Blvd., St. Albans
AGES: All
WHAT: Andrew P. Jackson (Sekou Molefi Baako) will provide a talk on Kwanzaa. Please bring an ornament to trim the tree.
WANT TO GO? 718-528-8196. queenslibrary.org.

FREE Cambria Heights Gardening Club Kwanzaa Craft Program
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 26, 4-5pm
WHERE: Queens Library–Cambria Heights Branch, 218-13 Linden Blvd., Cambria Heights
AGES: 13 and older
WHAT: Learn the techniques and materials needed to create natural and decorative wreaths. Registration required.
WANT TO GO? 718-528-3535. queenslibrary.org.

FREE Kwanzaa Celebration With Songhai Djeli
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 27, 6-7pm
WHERE: Pomonok Library, 158-21 Jewel Ave., Flushing
AGES: All
WHAT: Songhai Djeli presents a Kwanzaa program composed of music, poetry, and storytelling.
WANT TO GO? 718-591-4343. queenslibrary.org.

FREE A Kwanzaa Holiday Celebration At Flushing Library
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 30, 5:30-7:30pm
WHERE: Flushing Library, 41-17 Main St., Flushing
AGES: All
WHAT: An evening of music and dance.
WANT TO GO? 718-661-1200. queenslibrary.org.

Kwanzaa Celebrations on Long Island

Kwanzaa Celebration
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 30, 12-2pm
WHERE: Roosevelt Field Mall, 630 Old Country Road, Garden City
AGES: All
WHAT: Roosevelt Field will again partner with Nassau County to celebrate the traditions of Kwanzaa with music, dance & more. North Court.
WANT TO GO? 516-742-800. https://www.simon.com/mall/roosevelt-field.

Kwanzaa Celebrations in Rockland and Bergen Counties

FREE Kwanzaa Family Festival
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 21, 10am-1pm
WHERE: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark
AGES: All
WHAT: NJPAC’s annual festival features West African dance and drums, a Kwanzaa ceremony and storytelling, arts and crafts, live performances, and more!
WANT TO GO? 800-466-5722. njpac.org.

Kwanzaa Marketplace
WHEN: Dec. 20-21, Friday 6-10pm; Saturday 9am-5pm
WHERE: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark
AGES: All
WHAT: Shop custom and cultural clothing, handcrafted jewelry, original designer hats, bath and body products, candles, books, art, and more!
WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for goods. 800-466-5722. njpac.org.