After Christmas comes Kwanzaa. The holiday, which runs Dec. 26-Jan. 1 each year, was created by activist Maulana Karenga and first celebrated in 1966 following the Watts uprising in Los Angeles.
The African American holiday draws on traditions from harvest festivals in West, East and Southeast Africa and dedicates each day of the weeklong celebration to a different concept: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
Here are a few events around the Bay Area scheduled to celebrate it, from family-friendly storytime sessions to panel discussions on Black identity.
Kwanzaa Storytime: 4-5 p.m. Dec. 16, Newark Library, 37055 Newark Blvd., Newark. Oakland author and illustrator Robert Liu-Trujillo will read his book “Fresh Juice,” about a child and father searching for healthy juice ingredients, then share his sketchbook and talk about his journey as a writer and artist. Free. aclibrary.bibliocommons.com
Kwanzaa Celebration: Noon-1 p.m. Dec. 27, Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. Music, remarks from local dignitaries and a candle-lighting are scheduled at this community event. Free. santacruzmah.org/events/kwanzaa-2025
Conversation on Black Liberation: 1:30 p.m. Dec. 27, Kinfolx, 1951 Telegraph Ave., Suite 4, Oakland. Hear from an intergenerational panel discussion with Rev. Robert Newells-Newton, Rev. Valerie Miles-Tribble and possibly Chaney Turner and Oakland Councilmember Carroll Fife while reflecting on the intersection of faith, politics and Black identity. kinfolxoakland.com/event-schedule
Kujichagulia Celebration: 3:30-7 p.m. Dec. 27, Oakstop, 2323 Broadway, Oakland. Celebrate the second day of Kwanzaa with a celebration of Kujichagulia (self-determination), featuring African drumming and a dance performance, griot storytelling, a Kwanzaa candle-lighting ceremony and a community dinner. There will also be face-painting, balloons and temporary skin art. African attire encouraged. eventbrite.com
Hayward Kwanzaa Celebration: Noon-5 p.m. Dec. 28, Hayward City Hall, 777 B St., Hayward. Food, entertainment, storytelling and achievement awards are scheduled at the third annual Kwanzaa celebration by Fayeth Gardens. eventbrite.com
Community Kwanzaa Celebration: Noon-2:30 p.m. Dec. 30, 395 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo. Enjoy live music, food, book giveaways, painting and costume jewelry-making at this family-friendly community event at the San Lorenzo Library. aclibrary.bibliocommons.com
Celebration of Purpose: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 30, African American Art and Culture Complex, 762 Fulton St., San Francisco. Celebrate the fifth day of Kwanzaa featuring light bites, live performances and reflections on purpose, or Nia. eventbrite.com
Winter Wonderland Kwanzaa & Noon Year’s Eve Celebration: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 31, Thrive City, San Francisco. The lineup includes Soji Sai Afrobeats, the Diamano Coura West African Dance Company, a countdown drop for noon, arts and craft stations, treats and more. Park at 99 Warriors Way. chasecenter.com/events/