The exuberant seven-day African American tradition of Kwanzaa will be celebrated with seven days of free music, dance, culture and community at Malcolm X College on December 26, 2025-January 1, 2026.
The annual Malcolm X College Kwanzaa Celebration honors the theme of “Building and Sustaining Community One Principle at a Time” for this year. Weaving the past and present while honoring ancestral legacies, the event will feature dance performances, artist talks, a vendor marketplace, children’s reading circles and drumming.
Kwanzaa commemorates African traditions within African American culture with a seven-day celebration from December 26-31, which focuses on the seven principles of the holiday, known as Nguzo Saba. The principles use Swahili words for unity (umoja,) self-determination (kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba) and faith (imani).
Here is the daily performance schedule:
Dec. 26 1 pm Najwa Dance Corps
Dec. 27 1 pm Consulate General of the Republic of Haiti in Chicago
Dec. 28 1 pm Betty Shabazz International Charter School
Dec. 29 1 pm Chi-Village Day
Dec.30 1 pm Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League and Liberated Arts Movement
Dec. 31 1 pm Artist Talks Culture and Collabs
Jan. 1, 2026 12:30 pm Ayodele Drum and Dance
The celebration kicks off from 10 am-6 pm daily at Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson and is free for all. Register in advance to reserve your attendance. Free parking with validation is available at Malcom X College’s parking deck on Jackson.
Malcolm X College Kwanzaa Celebration
Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd.
December 26, 2025-January 1, 2026, 10- 6 pm
Free
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