Are you looking to celebrate Chanukah or Kwanzaa this year? 

Chanukah, the eight-day “festival of lights” commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, begins on Wednesday, Dec. 25, at sundown. Menorah lightings are a common practice during this time.

And Kwanzaa, which since 1966 has been the annual celebration of African American history, values, family, community and culture, starts Thursday, Dec. 26 and ends Wednesday, January 1.

There are a number of events for both holidays in and around Cleveland this week. Let’s see what is available.

Friends of the Maltz Museum Chanukah Candle Lighting

The Friends of the Maltz Museum will be celebrating the first night of Chanukah with a menorah lighting at the Maltz Museum on Wednesday, Dec. 25, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy storytelling, traditional songs and the lighting of the menorah. Crafts and goodie bags will be provided for children. You can enter the museum for free with a canned goods donation. The Maltz Museum is located at 2929 Richmond Road. Registration is required. To reserve your spot, click here.

A photo from the 2023 Grand Menorah Lighting. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, Dec. 26. Credit: Downtown Chabad and CYP Cleveland Facebook

Grand Menorah Lighting

Downtown Chabad and CYP Cleveland will be hosting the Grand Menorah Lighting on Thursday, Dec. 26, at 6 p.m. In addition to menorah lightings in Public Square, there will be hot refreshments, traditional Chanukah food, music, car menorah displays and more. For more information, click here.

Menorah on Mayfield

 The city of Lyndhurst and the Lyndhurst Chabad Family will be hosting Menorah on Mayfield on Thursday, Dec. 26, at 5 p.m. There will be festive music, traditional Chanukah refreshments, mini Chanukah giveaways and menorah lightings, including the lighting of the giant menorah. For more information, click here.

A sign for the Light After Dark Menorah Parade on a tree lawn near the intersection of Colonial Rd. & Euclid Heights Blvd. in Cleveland Heights. Credit: Helen Maynard / Signal Cleveland

Light After Dark Menorah Parade

The Bulua Family presents the Light After Dark Menorah Parade on Sunday, Dec. 29, at 4 p.m. This parade is designed to celebrate the fifth night of Chanukah. Enjoy a caravan of cars with giant, light up menorahs as they drive from Legacy Village through Beachwood, Lyndhurst and University Heights before wrapping up in Cleveland Heights. There will be music, giveaways and traditional Chanukah treats for parade attendees. For more information, click here.

Umoja & Dinner

The McMillian Family and Extended Family will be hosting Umoja & Dinner on Thursday, Dec. 26, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. This Kwanzaa event will feature a hot meal, stories, live music and more. Umoja & Dinner will take place at Forest Hills Church, located at 3031 Monticello Blvd. For more information, click here or contact event organizer Keesha McMillian at 216-224-7838.

Kwanzaa, which since 1966 has been the annual celebration of African-American history, values, family, community and culture, starts Dec. 26 and continues until Jan. 1.
Kwanzaa, which since 1966 has been the annual celebration of African-American history, values, family, community and culture, starts Dec. 26 and continues until Jan. 1. Credit: Keesha McMillian

Kwanzaa Celebration

The Cleveland Association of Black Storytellers will be hosting a Kwanzaa Celebration on Monday, Dec. 30, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. A candle lighting ceremony, storytellers, children’s arts and crafts, African drumming/dance will be part of the celebration held at the Maple Heights Library, 5225 Library Lane. Registration is required. To reserve your spot, click here.

Kwanzaa Celebration for Nia

The Golden Ciphers and the National Rights of Passage Institute will be hosting the Kwanzaa Celebration for Nia (Purpose) on Monday, Dec. 30 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This celebration will include a table setting demonstration, guest speakers, community dialogue, vendors and more. The celebration will take place at 4450 Cedar Ave., Suite 3. For more information, contact Pamela Hubbard at 216-513-7870 or at 216-574-4888.

Kwanzaa Potluck

Coming together for home cooked meals is a long-standing tradition in the African American community.
Coming together for home cooked meals is a long-standing tradition in the African American community. Credit: Keesha McMillian

The African-American Museum will be hosting a Kwanzaa celebration on Wednesday, Jan.1, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Learn about and enjoy traditional Kwanzaa customs while enjoying a potluck dinner. Attendees are asked to bring a non-pork dish to share but are encouraged to attend even if they are not able to bring a dish. The African-American Museum is located at 1765 Crawford Road. To confirm your attendance, contact Frances Caldwell at 216-374-2899.

Community Reporter (he/him)
I work to gain the trust of Cleveland residents through direct community engagement and storytelling. My goal is to amplify and celebrate the residents and stakeholders who contribute to the success of city neighborhoods. I’m hoping to erase the negative stigma that has been cast on some neighborhoods throughout the years.