Malcolm X College to hold Kwanzaa celebration December 26 through January 1, 2026, free and open to the public

CHICAGO- (updated 12/15/2025) - Join Malcolm X College for a powerful Kwanzaa celebration like no other! This year's theme is Building and Sustaining Community One Principle at a Time and Malcolm X College is partnering with dynamic community organizations, cultural leaders, and creative innovators to bring everyone an unforgettable experience inspired by the Nguzo Saba-the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa. Each day features exciting new programs designed to educate, empower, and uplift.

The event celebrating Kwanzaa is free and open to the public and all will enjoy live performances and shopping, courtesy of local artisans. Items for sale include handmade and exquisite jewelry, African clothing, African inspired art, African drums, leather goods, pottery, traditional music instruments, specialty soaps and candles, more.

The celebration will kick off on Friday, December 26, 2025, and continue through Thursday, January 1, 2026 at Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Boulevard in Chicago. Daily hours are from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Every day at noon, the program starts with a Drum Call, Libation, recounting of Kwanzaa history, lighting of the candles, and sharing the principal of the day, culminating with a live performance at 1 pm.

Daily activities include a new Reading Circle for younger children, live performances, interactive workshops, family-friendly activities, marketplace vendors, and more. With the support of its incredible partners, Malcolm X College is transforming Kwanzaa into a vibrant celebration of culture, unity, and community pride.

"I commend Malcolm X College for uniting our communities and honoring our heritage through the celebration of Kwanzaa," said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. "The seven days of Kwanzaa remind us of the enduring values of unity, self-determination, and collective progress. This celebration is a time to strengthen our connections, uplift traditions, and spread peace and hope throughout Chicago."

"Our Kwanzaa celebration is a cherished tradition that reflects the culture and spirit of Malcolm X College and our entire city," said Dr. David Sanders, president of Malcolm X College. "I'm honored to hold this annual event alongside our community partners- and I invite everyone to join us for this free celebration as we honor the history, values, and enduring significance of Kwanzaa."

The performance schedule is as follows and start time is approximate:

Dec. 26 1pm Najwa Dance Corps

Dec. 27 1pm Consulate General of the Republic of Haiti in Chicago

Dec. 28 1pm Betty Shabazz International Charter School

Dec. 29 1pm Chi-Village Day

Dec.30 1pm Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League and Liberated Arts Movement

Dec. 31 1pm Artist Talks Culture and Collabs

Jan. 1, 2026, 12:30pm Ayodele Drum and Dance

Kwanza is an annual celebration of African American culture. It was created by Maulana Karenga and is rooted in the African Harvest festival traditions from various countries. Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966 and celebrates the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba. These seven principles comprise Kawaida, a Swahili word meaning "common philosophy."

Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the principles, as follows:

• Umoja(Unity, Dec 26): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
• Kujichagulia(Self-Determination, Dec 27): To define and name us, as well as to create and speak for ourselves.
• Ujima(Collective Work and Responsibility, Dec 28): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems, our problems and to solve them together.
• Ujamaa(Cooperative economics, Dec 29): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
• Nia(Purpose, Dec 30): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
• Kuumba(Creativity, Dec 31): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
• Imani(Faith, Jan 1, 2026): To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

The Kwanzaa celebration and market will be held on the first floor of Malcolm X College. Free parking with validation is available in Malcolm X College's parking deck which is accessed from Jackson Street.

This special event is co-produced and in partnership with Malcolm X College. Producers include: The Daughters of Haiti, Dr. Betty Shabazz International Charter School, Chi-Village, The Metro Board of the Chicago Urban League, Liberated Arts Movement, and Culture & Collab.

For more info, click here or visit https://colleges.ccc.edu/event/malcolm-x-kwanzaa-2025-2/.

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