Celebrate Kwanzaa and Hanukkah in combined celebration at Fountain Square, Dec. 26

This is a very special year since the first day of Kwanzaa and the last day of Hanukkah will both fall on Monday, December 26. We are asking the Evanston and surrounding communities to gather at Fountain Square on this momentous day, in beautiful downtown Evanston, at 11-11:30 AM, to celebrate these two meaningful holidays.

The celebration will begin with a beautiful holiday dance solo followed by Mayor Daniel Biss, who will make an opening statement. Rabbi Andrea London of Beth Emet Synagogue and Pastor Ken Cherry of Christ Temple Church will speak briefly about the history and significance of each holiday. Finally, the first candle of Kwanzaa and the last candle of Hanukkah will be lit on the kinara and menorah displays, concluding the Community Sharing celebration. Then at 1 PM, bring the family and join us at the Kwanzaa Festival at the Robert Crown Community Center.

Blending these two holidays and sharing the goodness and guidance each holiday teaches and observes is the perfect opportunity to have a meaningful, fun, and enlightening Community Sharing. Bring the children so they can experience “Umoja”, the first principle of Kwanzaa, which means Unity, and “Zos Hanukkah” the eighth and final day of Hanukkah, which was the day a Great Miracle occurred.