When is Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa is celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 each year. The seven-day festival is based on African harvest celebrations, and Kwanzaa ends with a Karamu, which is an African feast.

Kwanzaa traditions include reading poetry, performing African music and sharing a large meal with family and friends. A family that celebrates Kwanzaa has a child light a candle each night. The seven candles represent principles the family honors, including unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. The traditional Kwanzaa table setting includes a straw mat, a unity cup and a selection of nuts, fruits and vegetables that represent the harvest.