Thursday, Dec. 26: Day one celebrates Umoja (unity). The celebration runs from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at Rochester City Hall on Church Street. Friday, Dec. 27: Day two celebrates Kujichagulia (self-determination). The celebration runs from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester on Genesee Street.

The annual celebration of African-American culture honors 7 principles, one for each day, teaching lessons for families to live by. The first one is Umoja, which represents unity. Kwanzaa runs through January 1.

Kwanzaa is one of three December holidays that encourage celebration with family and honoring traditions. Here's what to know about it.

"Here's to fresh starts and beautiful moments," the singer wrote as he shared a photo of his family's Christmas celebrations I mean, if I were those kids, this would be my Christmas card every year, too.

If you'd like to celebrate, there will be Kwanzaa events across Michigan this season. Here's what to know. Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning. Kwanzaa is a weeklong African American and Pan-African holiday celebrating culture and community.

Many people who observe Kwanzaa, which is a secular holiday, celebrate it alongside religious festivals such as Christmas.

The week-long celebration of African American culture runs from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. READ MORE: It is especially surprising that one of the first federal agencies to come under scrutiny from the incoming administration is one that has returned billions of dollars to many of the same consumers who were counting on leaders in Washington to look out for their wallets.