Kwanzaa, the weeklong heritage celebration highlighting seven principles of African culture, starts Dec. 26. Here are several North Texas events marking the holiday. Be sure to check websites for possible schedule changes and other updates.
KWANZAA AT PAN-AFRICAN CONNECTION
Kwanzaa Celebration
Dec 26, 2022 until Dec 31, 2022
at Pan-African Connection
VIEW EVENT
FREE The East Oak Cliff store and community center will celebrate Kwanzaa with several in-store and online events from Dec. 26 through Dec. 31, including candle-lighting ceremonies, children’s arts and crafts workshops, cultural performances and speakers. A Kwanzaa kickoff on Dec. 26 at 7 p.m. will feature presentations by the Sankofa Outreach Ministry of St. Luke Community United Methodist Church and performances by storyteller Oba William King, the Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble and others. On Dec. 27, the Black History 101 Mobile Museum will be on-site from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check the store’s website for each day’s schedule.
Dec. 26-31 at Pan-African Connection Bookstore, Art Gallery and Resource Center, 4466 S. Marsalis Ave., Dallas, with online activities on the store’s Facebook page. Free admission. panafricanconnection.com.
CELEBRATE KWANZAA AT THE DOCK
Celebrate Kwanzaa 2022
Dec 27, 2022 until Jan 1, 2023 · 7:00 PM – 4:00 PM GMT-6
at The Dock Bookshop
VIEW EVENT
FREE The Dock Bookshop will celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa with events in the store and off-site, including an open mic, a family night and a Kwanzaa celebration on Dec. 28 at Greater St. Stephen First Church (3728 E. Berry St., Fort Worth). Check the bookstore’s website for event details.
Dec. 26-Jan. 1 at the Dock Bookshop, 6637 Meadowbrook Drive, Fort Worth. thedockbookshop.com.
THE NIGHT BEFORE KWANZAA
The Night Before Kwanzaa
Dec 28, 2022 · 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM GMT-6
at Bookmarks Library
VIEW EVENT
FREE Storyteller Oba William King will present stories, songs and a Kwanzaa-themed craft at Bookmarks, the children’s library at NorthPark Center.
Dec. 28 from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at Bookmarks, on Level 1 between Nordstrom and Macy’s at NorthPark Center, 8687 N. Central Expressway, Dallas. Free. dallaslibrary2.org.
JERRY PINKNEY DAY AND KWANZAA CELEBRATION
Jerry Pinkney Day and Kwanzaa Celebration
Dec 29, 2022 · 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM GMT-6
at Forest Green Branch Library
VIEW EVENT
FREE Families can learn about award-winning children’s book author and illustrator Jerry Pinkney and the works of other Black authors of children’s books. The afternoon will also feature African dance, storytellers and Kwanzaa crafts.
Dec. 28 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Forest Green Branch Library, 9619 Greenville Ave., Dallas. Free. dallaslibrary2.org.
GROW DESOTO KWANZAA CELEBRATION
Grow DeSoto Kwanzaa Celebration
Dec 29, 2022 · 7:00 PM
at DeSoto Civic Center
VIEW EVENT
FREE Concerned DeSoto Citizens will host a Kwanzaa celebration with music, poetry and other family activities.
Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. at the DeSoto Civic Center, 211 E. Pleasant Run Road, DeSoto. Free; donations of canned goods accepted for the DeSoto Food Pantry. growdesoto.org.