Kwanzaa 2024 in Philly: 15 Ways to Celebrate

December 10-27, 2024 (select dates)

Public libraries across the city celebrate Kwanzaa with crafts, storytelling, music and more (no library card required).

• Kwanzaa Children’s Craft at Eastwick Library: This celebration guides young people between the ages of 6 and 17 as they create Kwanzaa-inspired crafts to take home with them (December 10, 2024).
• Kwanzaa with Keepers of the Culture at Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library: Artists from Keepers of the Culture — an Afrocentric storytelling group celebrating African American oral tradition — bring to life the story behind Kwanzaa during this storytelling event (December 14, 2024).
• Learn About Kwanzaa at West Oak Lane Library: Explore the meaning behind each of the seven days of Kwanzaa over snacks and crafts, like mat weaving, card making, beading and collaging (December 16, 2024).
• Kwanzaa Celebration with Mama Carla Wiley at Parkway Central Library: Oral storyteller Mama Carla Wiley brings to life the history and traditions of Kwanzaa during this Kwanzaa-themed event (December 19, 2024).
• Kwanzaa Celebration for All Ages! at Parkway Central Library: Multicultural groups from around Philadelphia gather at Philadelphia Library’s main branch for two days of dancing, music and history, plus lunch and take-home goodies for kids and teens under the age of 18 (December 26 & 27, 2024).

The African American Museum in Philadelphia celebrates Kwanzaa with a mix of free in-person and virtual events. This year, in-person events are happening around Center City at the museum, Franklin Square Park and Parkway Central Library, and including:

• Umoja – Opening Unity Celebration at the African American Museum in Philadelphia: Things kick off with a showcase celebrating the principle of umoja (unity) at the museum featuring music, storytelling and a kinara lighting. Registration is highly encouraged (December 26, 2024).
• Kujichagulia –  Watu Moja New Year Notes Writing Workshop & Open Mic featuring DJ Foxxy at the African American Museum in Philadelphia: Tap into the principle of kujichagulia (self-determination) through music and poetry at this showcase curated by local arts organization Watu Moja, hosted by DJ Foxxy’s Funk and featuring rising local talent (December 27, 2024).
• Ujima – Career Fair with Truist Bank at the African American Museum in Philadelphia: The African American Museum in Philadelphia, Truist Bank and representatives from historically Black colleges and universities team up in the spirit of ujima (collective work and responsibility) to host this interactive education and career fair for high school- and college-aged students (December 28, 2024).
• Celebrating Ujamaa – Kwanzaa Quizzo and Evening Bazaar at Franklin Square: Celebrate the principle of ujamaa (cooperative economics) under the lights at Franklin Square at this event featuring a vendor marketplace and Kwanzaa-themed quizzo (more information below, December 29, 2024).
• Nia – Skillets and Skillsets: A Soul Food Journey at Parkway Central Library (and Philabundance): Move with the Kwanzaa principle of nia (purpose) during this free event dedicated to the food that nourishes us, body and soul, at the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Culinary Literacy Center. More details to come (December 30, 2024).

Kwanzaa comes to Sesame Street. Light the kinara with Elmo, Cookie Monster and friends; learn about the meaning of the holiday with a special storytime and character meet-and-greet; and enjoy a special performance by the Universal African Dance and Drum ensemble during Sesame Place’s annual Kwanzaa celebration.

Bucks County pulls out all the stops with this interactive Kwanzaa celebration. On the docket: live music, vendors, kid-friendly activities, family programming and a special presentation by cultural educator Dr. Wanda Lewis-Campbell. The event is free and includes admission to the museum.

Dig into the vibrant traditions and principles of Kwanzaa with a day of fun at West Philadelphia’s Please Touch Museum. The schedule features storytimes about the principle of ujima or collective work and responsibility, crafts, and interactive activities like a Kwanzaa table-painting workshop and a cupcake-decorating session with chef Ken Swinton. The children’s museum’s Kwanzaa festivities are included with regular museum admission.

Come together and celebrate the holiday with a day of family-friendly festivities in West Philly. The Afro Culture Preservation Council’s (ACPC) 41st annual Kwanzaa Celebration takes place at the Penn Museum and features a traditional candle-lighting ceremony, games, live performances, workshops and more. Entertainment for the day includes stilt ballet performances by the African American Stilt Ballet, music by Karen Smith Drumming, and storytelling with the Black Boys Makin’ Noise group. Timed tickets are available for free by reservation and include admission to the museum.

Illustrating ujamaa — the Kwanzaa principle for wealth, generosity and economic self-reliance — Black-owned shops and vendors set up throughout historic Franklin Square for the Evening Bazaar marketplace. Part of the African American Museum in Philadelphia’s week-long celebration (above), the market is paired with an entertaining and educational game of Kwanzaa-themed quizzo and Franklin Square’s seasonal attractions, including the Electrical Spectacle Light Show, Chilly Philly Mini Golf, and Parx Liberty Carousel. Entry is free, though some Winter in Franklin Square attractions are pay as you go.

Kwanzaa wouldn’t be Kwanzaa without gifts, or zawadi in Swahili. Dozens of brick-and-mortar and online Black-owned businesses call Philly home, spanning bookstores, apparel shops, spas, farms and so much more. Find the perfect gift while supporting local entrepreneurs this holiday season.