Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 through January 1. It is traditional for those celebrating Kwanzaa to wear traditional African clothing. Kwanzaa incorporates seven principles in its celebration. Each day of Kwanzaa celebrates one of those principles.

The first day: UMOJA (Oo-moe-jah) Unity
The commitment to the ideal of togetherness, its the foundation, without unity neither the family nor the community can survive. Unity begins with family; on this day the family gathers and discusses how they as a family establish unity among themselves and among the community.

The second day: KUJICHAGULIA (Coo-gee-ha-lee-ah) Self-Determination.
The commitment of taking responsibility for one's own life.

The third day: UJIMA (Oo-gee-mah) Collective work and responsibility.
The commitment to self-criticism and personal evaluation. The family and community are reminded on this day that they are collectively responsible for its victories, achievements and failures.

The fourth day: UJAMAA (Oo-jah-mah) Cooperative economic
The commitment of communal living i.e. the importance of economically supporting African-American run businesses.

The fifth day: NIA (Nee-ah) Purpose
The commitment of reevaluating the use of individual skills and their use for good within the family and community.

The sixth day: KUUMBA (Koo-m-bah) Creativity
The commitment to the use of one's creativity for the uplifting of the family and community. The community is celebrated with a feast of foods shared this day with those who attend the feast. After the feast there are celebrations of African dancing and music.

The seventh day: IMANI (E-mahn-e) Faith
The commitment of faith in ourselves as a people.

Many symbols are used every year as African-Americans celebrate the festival of Kwanzaa. Lighting seven candles, Mishomaa Saba, commemorates the seven principles. They are black, red, and green for the colors on the Black Liberation Flag. One is lit each day. The candles rest in the Kinara, or seven-branched candleholder, which in turn sits on a mat called the Mkeka. This mat is the foundation for Kwanzaa and symbolizes reverence for the foundation of African-American culture. To emphasize the importance of family, one ear of corn, called Muhindi, is placed on the mat for each of the family's children. Fresh fruits and vegetables known as Mazao represent the traditional African harvest festivals on which Kwanzaa was based. Homemade gifts to be exchanged on the last night, called Zawadi, also appear on the Mkeka. Last, the Unity Cup, Kikombe Cha Umoja, is placed on the mat. Everyone in the family drinks from it during Kwanzaa celebrations each year.