17th Annual Celebrate Kwanzaa Returns to Brooklyn Children's Museum

December 26-30

Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Children’s Museum (BCM) proudly invites families and community members to honor the spirit of Kwanzaa at New York City’s largest family Kwanzaa celebration, in partnership with Brooklyn’s own Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation. Taking place from Thursday, December 26 through Monday, December 30, 2024, this five-day festival brings the vibrant traditions, powerful principles, and joyous spirit of Kwanzaa to life for all ages.

Now in its 17th year, Celebrate Kwanzaa offers a rich blend of daily candle-lighting ceremonies, cultural performances, and hands-on workshops that engage visitors in the seven principles of Kwanzaa, the Nguzo Saba, emphasizing unity, self-determination, collective work, and creativity.

“This year, we celebrate the theme ‘Our Children Enlighten the Community,’ reminding us that Kwanzaa is a time to reflect on the values that uplift our community and a moment to center the voices and talents of our youth for they are the future,” said Atiba T. Edwards, President and CEO at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. “As we mark our 17th year as New York City’s largest and longest-running family Kwanzaa celebration, we’ll see our young people embody the principles of Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), and Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) through their creative expressions and leadership while caregivers and elders uplift them.”

“We are honored to collaborate with Brooklyn Children’s Museum for this year’s Kwanzaa celebration, where we highlight the brilliance of our youth through art, dance, and music,” said Kofi Osei Williams, Executive Director of the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation. “Our young performers embody the spirit of the Nguzo Saba—unity, creativity, and leadership—reminding us of the power and potential within our community. Asase Yaa remains committed to uplifting and empowering the next generation by providing them with opportunities to showcase their talents while preserving and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the African Diaspora. We look forward to inspiring children and families through this vibrant and meaningful celebration.”

Each day will offer something unique for attendees, including daily candle-lighting rituals led by Chinua Baraka Payne and the dynamic Asase Yaa Youth Ensemble, awe-inspiring performances with Kudo NYC, FIYAA (Forces of Nature Incredible Youth Arts Alliance), plus immersive dance and drumming workshops. Families can also explore graffiti-inspired artwork in ColorLab and dive into hands-on experiences that highlight the cultural depth and beauty of Kwanzaa.

WHAT: 17th Annual Celebrate Kwanzaa at Brooklyn Children's Museum 

WHEN: Thursday, December 26 through Monday, December 30, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

WHO: Brooklyn Children's Museum, Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation 

WHERE: Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213

About Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation

The Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation is a Brooklyn-based non-profit organization with a mission to enlighten, uplift, and immerse the community in all things artful of Africa – in full – in America. The Foundation is the controlling entity of a broad range of arts & cultural services that comprise two primary programs, the Asase Yaa School of the Arts and the Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater. Under the auspices of the School of the Arts, they also sponsor an annual Children’s Summer Art Camp and have a thriving Arts Outreach educational program that services public and private schools throughout New York’s five boroughs including Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Queens. It’s one of the few Black-owned and African cultural arts organizations in Brooklyn, and its principals include; Kofi Osei Williams, Chief Executive Director, Rubie Inez Williams, Director of Operations, and Yao Ababio, Founder and Artistic Director of the African American Dance Theater. For more information, visit: https://www.asaseyaaent.org/

About Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Inspired by the energy and diversity of our borough, Brooklyn Children’s Museum creates experiences that ignite curiosity, celebrate identity, and cultivate joyful learning. Founded in 1899 as the world’s first children’s museum, Brooklyn Children’s Museum (BCM) is New York City’s largest cultural institution designed especially for families. Proudly based in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, BCM serves 300,000 children and caregivers annually with exhibits and programs grounded in visual arts, music and performance, natural science, and world cultures. For more information, visit www.brooklynkids.org. 

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Photo: Celebrate Kwanzaa takes place over five days, and each day will feature a mix of repeating and unique programs designed for all ages. Photo credit: Winston Williams.