Celebrate Kwanzaa At The Montclair Public Library: 2024 Events

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Montclair Public Library. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The Montclair Public Library invites the community to celebrate Kwanzaa on Saturday, Dec. 14 with a marketplace and series of free programs. This celebration builds on the library’s 35-year tradition of featuring Kwanzaa as the keystone of its winter programming.

“Kwanzaa is a meaningful celebration of culture, family, and community, and we’re proud to continue this 35-year tradition at the Montclair Public Library,” said Radwa Ali, director of the Montclair Public Library. “This event is a chance for our community to come together, learn, and honor African American heritage in a festive and welcoming space.”

All programs will take place at the Main Library, 50 South Fullerton Avenue. No registration is required.

The schedule is:

• 11 a.m. Marketplace opens
• 12 p.m. Music and Dance from West Africa, featuring Salieu Suso on the 21-stringed kora and his five-piece ensemble
• 12:30 p.m. Spoken word poetry by Elijah Brown
• 1 p.m. Libations and the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa
• 1:30 p.m. Community remarks
• 2 p.m. Author Ibi Zoboi - talk and book signing
• 2:30 p.m. Children of the Sun poetry
• 3 p.m. Maati Cultural Arts Community Drummers and Dancers
• 5 p.m. Marketplace closes

About Kwanzaa and the Montclair Public Library

Founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, Kwanzaa is the seven-day African American festival that celebrates culture, family, and community from December 26 to January 1. Since 1989, Montclair Public Library has hosted a Kwanzaa event. The event grew yearly and has become an important part of the library’s winter programming, cultivated by staff members Brother Saalik Cuevas and Matilda Williams. 2024 will be the 35th year of the library celebrating Kwanzaa with the Montclair community.

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Montclair Facebook page. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here.