Families and friends gathered in North Long Beach this weekend to celebrate Kwanzaa.
The city’s Department of Health and Human Services hosted its fourth annual Kwanzaa Experience on Saturday, Dec. 13, at Houghton Park’s Doris Topsy Elvord Community Center. The celebration featured live performances, music, crafts and more.
The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services hosted the 4th annual Kwanzaa Experience on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Houghton Park Community Center. This celebration honored the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith, through cultural expression, community connection and reflection. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Aiyla Walker, 6, paints her project during an arts and crafts portion at the Kwanzaa Experience. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services hosted the 4th annual Kwanzaa Experience on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Houghton Park Community Center. This celebration honored the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith, through cultural expression, community connection and reflection. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tori Eaun Hilbert speaks about the success of the CSULB, LBUSD Math Collaborative the Kwanzaa Experience. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services hosted the 4th annual Kwanzaa Experience on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Houghton Park Community Center. This celebration honored the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith, through cultural expression, community connection and reflection. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Earthlodge Center for Transformation staffer, Yardenna Aaron introduces the drum circle to participants at the Kwanzaa Experience. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services hosted the 4th annual Kwanzaa Experience on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Houghton Park Community Center. This celebration honored the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith, through cultural expression, community connection and reflection. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Bracelets for sale at the Kwanzaa Experience. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services hosted the 4th annual Kwanzaa Experience on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Houghton Park Community Center. This celebration honored the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith, through cultural expression, community connection and reflection. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Executive Director, Doris Robinson, speaks about the success of the CSULB, LBUSD Math Collaborative during the Kwanzaa Experience. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services hosted the 4th annual Kwanzaa Experience on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Houghton Park Community Center. This celebration honored the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith, through cultural expression, community connection and reflection. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services hosted the 4th annual Kwanzaa Experience on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Houghton Park Community Center. This celebration honored the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith, through cultural expression, community connection and reflection. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services hosted the 4th annual Kwanzaa Experience on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Houghton Park Community Center. This celebration honored the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith, through cultural expression, community connection and reflection. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dorian Harris, 4, has his face painted by Wendy Hurwit at the Kwanzaa Experience. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services hosted the 4th annual Kwanzaa Experience on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Houghton Park Community Center. This celebration honored the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith, through cultural expression, community connection and reflection. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Aiyla Walker, 6, paints her project during an arts and crafts portion at the Kwanzaa Experience. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services hosted the 4th annual Kwanzaa Experience on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Houghton Park Community Center. This celebration honored the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith, through cultural expression, community connection and reflection. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A young boy paints his project during an arts and crafts portion at the Kwanzaa Experience. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services hosted the 4th annual Kwanzaa Experience on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Houghton Park Community Center. This celebration honored the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith, through cultural expression, community connection and reflection. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Earthlodge Center for Transformation staffer, Yardenna Aaron introduces the drum circle to participants at the Kwanzaa Experience. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services hosted the 4th annual Kwanzaa Experience on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Houghton Park Community Center. This celebration honored the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith, through cultural expression, community connection and reflection. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Students and graduates with the CSULB-LBUSD Math Collaborative share a fun moment during the Kwanzaa Experience. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services hosted the 4th annual Kwanzaa Experience on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Houghton Park Community Center. This celebration honored the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith, through cultural expression, community connection and reflection. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Part of a display at the Kwanzaa Experience. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services hosted the 4th annual Kwanzaa Experience on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Houghton Park Community Center. This celebration honored the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith, through cultural expression, community connection and reflection. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Part of a display at the Kwanzaa Experience. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services hosted the 4th annual Kwanzaa Experience on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Houghton Park Community Center. This celebration honored the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith, through cultural expression, community connection and reflection. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Audience members listen to a presentation by the CSULB-LBUSD Math Collaborative during the Kwanzaa Experience. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services hosted the 4th annual Kwanzaa Experience on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Houghton Park Community Center. This celebration honored the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith, through cultural expression, community connection and reflection. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Earthlodge Center for Transformation staffer, Cynthia Ruffin introduces the drum circle to participants at the Kwanzaa Experience. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services hosted the 4th annual Kwanzaa Experience on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Houghton Park Community Center. This celebration honored the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith, through cultural expression, community connection and reflection. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services hosted the 4th annual Kwanzaa Experience on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Houghton Park Community Center. This celebration honored the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith, through cultural expression, community connection and reflection. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kwanzaa, which is celebrated annually from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, focuses on a different principle each day: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. The celebration typically culminates in a feast on the sixth day.
The holiday has a deep connection to Long Beach. It was founded by Maulana Karenga, who currently chairs Cal State Long Beach’s Africana Studies Department, in 1966 as a celebration of African American culture, community and family.
The city’s celebration honors the principles of Kwanzaa through cultural expression, community connection and reflection, officials said. Some highlights of this year’s event will include the Houghton Park Neighborhood Association Community Resource Fair, the Taste of Kwanzaa culinary showcase, and Black Literature Showcase, presented with local partners.