Dec. 26 marks the first day of Kwanzaa, and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum in Crown Heights, in partnership with the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation, is inviting families and the community to New York City’s largest family Kwanzaa celebration. The event spans five days of the seven-day secular holiday.
The celebration of African American heritage, culture and ancestry was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum has been bringing the vibrant traditions, powerful principles and joyous spirit of Kwanzaa to life for the past 18 years.
Atiba T. Edwards, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, said he is looking forward to “another incredible year” alongside the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit committed to educating, uplifting and immersing the community in African arts.
“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,” Edwards said in a statement. “Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation brings authentic artistry and deep cultural knowledge to the festival, and we’re excited for another incredible year.”
Kofi Osei Williams, executive director of the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation, said the partnership reflects the meaning of the holiday.
“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,” Williams said. “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.”
Council Member Rita Joseph, whose district includes Crown Heights, noted that Kwanzaa is a call to honor African American heritage and ancestry.
“Kwanzaa is a powerful reminder of who we are and what we owe to one another,” Joseph said. “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.”
Honoring the seven principles of Kwanzaa — unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith — the museum invites children of all ages to participate in workshops and experience engaging performances through Dec. 30. Activities 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; and traditional candle-lighting ceremonies and Kwanzaa sing-alongs.
Here is a lineup of activities from Dec. 26 to Dec. 30 at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum:
Djembe Drumming
A fun, interactive percussion workshop exploring the importance of the djembe and how to play the iconic West African drum.
All days, 12:45–1:10 p.m. and 4–4:25 p.m.
Procession to Auditorium
A lively parade from the lobby to the auditorium, led by Moko Jumbie stilt walkers and drummers.
All days, 10:30–10:40 a.m. and 2:30–2:40 p.m.
Rise Up! Interactive Kwanzaa Concert and Candle Lighting
A participatory performance immersing audiences in the sights and sounds of Kwanzaa traditions. The concert features music, dance and cultural symbolism, including djembe and Caribbean folk percussion, African diasporic dance traditions and an interactive Kwanzaa song.
All days, 10:45–11:10 a.m. and 2:45–3:10 p.m.
Unity Cups
Participants can join ColorLab to create a Kikombe cha Umoja, or unity cup.
All days, 10:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. and 1:30–5 p.m.
Sink or Swim
Nature’s Engineers teaches children how to make objects float by building floating structures and testing their buoyancy and stability.
All days, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. and 2:30–5 p.m.
Kwanzaa Cookie Decoration
Participants can join Je T’aime Bakery to decorate Kwanzaa-themed cookies.
Dec. 27, 3–3:30 p.m. and 4–4:30 p.m.
Herb Sensory Explorer Table
Brooklyn Supported Agriculture leads a sensory exploration of fresh herbs, highlighting their unique textures, scents and shapes.
Dec. 29, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Visitors can participate in all Kwanzaa activities with a general admission ticket to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Tickets cost $15 for children and adults, $14 for grandparents, and are free for children under 1. For more information or to reserve tickets, visit brooklynkids.org/kwanzaa.
