Brooklyn Children’s Museum will present its five-day Kwanzaa festival from December 26 to 30 during Museum hours, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, each day. Celebrate Kwanzaa, now in its 18th year, will engage children of all ages with creative and joyful activities that honor the seven principles of Kwanzaa, which include: unity, creativity, collective work and responsibility, and purpose.
The festival is presented with Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit committed to educating, uplifting, and immersing the community in African arts. Attendees will participate in workshops and experience engaging performances that include:
- Afrobeat, Dancehall and Soca dance workshops.
- A Djembe (West African hand drum) drumming Workshop.
- Stilt walker and youth dance performances.
- An herbal sensory exploration with Brooklyn Supported Agriculture Community.
- Traditional candle lighting ceremonies and Kwanzaa sing-alongs.
Kwanzaa is a secular holiday celebrating African and African American heritage, culture, and ancestry. It is observed through daily candle lighting, family and communal gatherings, traditional feasts, and the sharing of music, poetry, and stories that honor the seven principles.
“For 18 years, our Celebrate Kwanzaa festival has been a powerful celebration of community, culture, and the African diaspora, right here in the heart of Brooklyn. BCM takes great pride in this being one of the longest running and largest celebrations of Kwanzaa across NYC,” said Atiba T. Edwards, President and CEO of Brooklyn Children’s Museum. “Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation brings authentic artistry and deep cultural knowledge to the festival, and we’re excited for another incredible year.” +1
“Partnering with Brooklyn Children’s Museum for this celebration is an honor for us because Kwanzaa is rooted in everything we stand for community, culture, and connection,” said Kofi Osei Williams, Executive Director of Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation. “Each year, we have the opportunity to share our traditions with new generations and remind families that the principles of Kwanzaa are not just seasonal, but a way of life.”
“I am always excited to support Brooklyn Children’s Museum and their community-focused programming that caters to the diversity of our borough. The Kwanzaa celebration, now in its 18th year, is no exception,” said New York State Assemblywoman Latrice Walker. “The Celebrate Kwanzaa Festival presents an opportunity to learn about the holiday and its seven principles through art, dance, workshops, and music. I encourage folks to stop by the museum during the festival. Bring the whole family.” +1
“For 18 years, Celebrate Kwanzaa has invited families to learn more about the seven principles of Kwanzaa and how they inspire us to build stronger communities. This year’s Celebrate Kwanzaa is jam-packed with cultural workshops and immersive performances that uplift the borough’s African diaspora, and I couldn’t be more proud to sponsor this event in partnership with the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
“Kwanzaa is a powerful reminder of who we are and what we owe to one another,” said New York City Council Member Rita Joseph. “Rooted in the Nguzo Saba unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith; it calls us to honor our shared history, uplift our culture, and recommit ourselves to building strong, thriving communities for our children and future generations.”
Visitors can participate in all Kwanzaa activities with a general admissions ticket to BCM ($15 for children and adults, $14 for grandparents, and free for children under the age of one). For more information, or to reserve tickets, visit: www.brooklynkids.org/kwanzaa.