Motor City Kwanzaa Celebration and Kinara Lighting

For the second year, in partnership with Alkebu-lan Village, Councilman Scott Benson and the City of Detroit, the Downtown Detroit Partnership is excited to host the Motor City Kwanzaa Kinara. The 30-foot-tall monument brings a celebration of African American life, community and culture to Campus Martius Park.  

On Dec. 26, in observance of the first day of Kwanzaa, The Motor City Kwanzaa Celebration and Kinara Lighting will take place at Cadillac Square from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. inside a heated tent. It will feature virtual remarks by Kwanzaa founder Dr. Maulana Karenga, live performances and more. At sunset (roughly 5 p.m.), guests and attendees will come together for a Kinara Lighting ceremony from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the southwest garden of Campus Martius Park. Festivities will include the lighting of the Unity candle on the Kinara and discussing the first of seven principles of Kwanzaa.

The Motor City Kwanzaa Kinara is supported in part by The Detroit Pistons, McDonald’s, The Michigan Arts & Culture Council, The Knight Foundation and The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.