These Ann Arbor Kwanzaa events are a great choice for your family – whether you have been celebrating Kwanzaa for years or want to learn more about the celebrations and introduce them to your children.
We have found very few Kwanzaa events. Last year (2022), we found the details in late December. Our list has been updated as of December 26 when the African American Cultural and Historical Museum annoucned their 2023 Kwanzaa events.
Kwanzaa Events Near Ann Arbor
Last year the only Kwanzaa event in Ann Arbor was the African American Cultural and Historical Museum. We have not yet seen details on their 2024 celebration. They typically do not announce their event until late December – often on the first day of Kwanzaa. The 2023 information is included below.
African American Cultural and Historical Museum Kwanzaa 2023
The African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County has published the following flyer for their celebration.
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
December 28, 2023 11:00am-1:00pm | UJIMA - Volunteer Day of Service at Ypsilanti Freighthouse, Ypsilanti Michigan | |
| 💙🖥 | December 29, 2023 6:00pm-7:30pm | UJAMAA - Black Business Panel Discussion at African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor Michigan Virtual Event - Enjoy at Home |
Other Kwanzaa Events Near Ann Arbor
Typically The Charles H Wright Museum of African American History has held daily Kwanzaa programming. This year it is not listed on their website (as of December 12)
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 💙🆓 | December 26, 2024 4:00pm-5:00pm | Kwanzaa Celebration & Kinara Lighting at Cadillac Square, Detroit Michigan |
| 💙 | December 27, 2024 12:00pm-2:00pm | The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa with Mama Jahra at Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn Michigan |
About Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa brings families and communities together to remember the past and celebrate African American culture. It was created in 1966 by Dr Maulana Ron Karenga. The name Kwanzaa comes from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” in Swahili, one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa. Matunda ya kwanza means “first fruits”. The practices of Kwanzaa are rooted in the first fruits celebrations found in cultures both modern and ancient across Africa.
Nguzo Saba (Seven principles) form the core of Kwanza and were drawn from community values found through Africa:
- Umoja – Unity
- Kujichagulia – Self-Determination
- Ujima – Collective Work and Responsibility
- Ujamaa – Cooperative Economics
- Nia – Purpose
- Kuumba – Creativity
- Imani – Faith
The Symbols of Kwanzaa are:
- Mazao – The Crops
- Mkeka – The Mat
- Kinara – Candle Holder
- Mishumaa Saba – The 7 Candles
- Muhindi – The Corn
- Kikombe cha Umoja – The Unity Cup
- Zawadi – The Gifts
Sources: The National Museum of African American History & Culture, part of the Smithsonian Institution. and The Official Kwanzaa Website
The National Museum of African American History & Culture has the following video to introduce kids to Kwanzaa.
