Spanning from December 26th through January 1st, Kwanzaa Celebrations focus on family, community and culture. According to the Kwanzaa official website, this American-made holiday is a “creative cultural synthesis” of “both the cultural values and practice of Africans on the Continent and in the U.S.”
Minnesota Orchestra presents the FFTC Holiday Guide
Minnesota Orchestra concerts aren't just for grown-ups.
We've got performances that spark curiosity, wiggles, and wide-eyed wonder.
Enjoy a family-friendly film with the score played live-to-picture or a classical concert.
Younger children can enjoy family and sensory-friendly concerts with a parent or caregiver.
With discounted kids' tickets and free admission through Hall Pass, it's easy to bring the whole crew.
Get more details by clicking on the image above.
Celebrate Kwanzaa in the Twin Cities
The Twin Cities has traditionally offered a few community events where your family can celebrate and learn more about the seven principles and traditions of this holiday. This year’s events include:
MGM Pan African Kwanzaa Celebration (FREE)
Date: 12/31/2025
Location: Midtown Global Market, 920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN , 55407Each of the seven days will celebrate its corresponding principle (see below). Activities will include a daily call of drums, storytelling, youth-led activities, performances, a fashion show, art showcases, food, music, gift giving, honoring our elders and more. Daily from 12-3pm, December 26-31.
Celebrate Kwanzaa at Home
While local events are becoming harder to find, the principles of Kwanzaa remain sound principles of living together as a community for everyone. If you would like to study these principles with your children, we have listed them below:
The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa
Each principle has its day to be explored during the 7-day celebration.
- Unity: “Umoja”
- Self-determination: “Kujichagulia”
- Collective work and responsibility: “Ujima”
- Cooperative economics: “Ujamaa:
- Purpose: “Nia”
- Creativity: “Kuumba”
- Faith: “Imani”
To celebrate at home, you can get this printable from Scholastic, explaining the 7 Principles of Kwanzaa in a child-friendly manner with examples of how the principles can be incorporated into daily life and example of real-life heroes and role models who display these characteristics.
Kwanzaa is usually celebrated with feasts, so it could be fun to add observances to your own family dinners during the week. You’ll also want to include music, dance, poetry, and stories as part of your family celebration.
Cuddle In for Children’s Reading Circle:
The Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery has hosted online story times by guest readers through their Virtual Storytelling videos. Local actress Ashawnti Sakina Ford reads Soulful Holidays by Ciara Hill. This rhyming book celebrates both Christmas and Kwanzaa. Watch the video here and check out the other Virtual Storytelling videos here.
And watch Jaheem’s First Kwanzaa read by the author (and local youth), Zephaniah Martin. In 2021, at the age of 10, Martin wrote this book that honors cultural roots and introduces Kwanzaa to the reader. He was the 2021 winner of the youth writing competition by Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute.Â
Things You May Need On Hand:
To celebrate you may want to purchase some Kwanzaa candles (three red candles, three green candles and a black candle).
More Activities:
Find more activities to do with children on the official website, where I found most of my information.
Can you Celebrate Kwanzaa if you are not of African descent?
From Dr. Maulana Karenga, Creator of Kwanzaa :
“Kwanzaa is clearly an African holiday created for African peoples. But other people can and do celebrate it, just like other people participate in Cinco de Mayo besides Mexicans; Chinese New Year besides Chinese; Native American pow wows besides Native Americans.”
If your family wants to exchange gifts for this celebration, they are traditionally homemade, but you could consider purchasing from local, black-owned businesses.