A KWANZAA EXPERIENCE: Monday, Dec. 26, 6 – 9 p.m., at Sandrell Rivers Theater, 6103 NW 7th Ave., Miami. Free reservation required on Eventbrite or pickup at the BAC Funding Corp Building, 6600 NW 27th Ave. The annual celebration of African roots in African American culture, Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor of Africana Studies at California State University, author, scholar and activist who felt there was an indispensable need to preserve, continually revitalize and promote African American culture. Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday, not a religious one, thus available to and practiced by Africans of all religious faiths who join together based on the rich, ancient and varied common ground of their Africanness. The celebration focuses on seven principles known as the (Nguzo Saba). The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits" in Swahili. Kwanzaa builds on the five fundamental activities of continental African "first fruit" celebrations: ingathering, reverence, commemoration, recommitment and celebration. Call 305-693- 3550.

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KWANZAA KUUMBA VILLAGE: The Spady Museum will condense the weeklong celebration into an afternoon of community reaffirmation of the individual, culture, family and environment on Monday, Dec. 26, welcoming families to celebrate the holidays by making their own gifts and enjoying live music, art activities, storytelling for children, and food. The celebration is held at 2:30 p.m. on the museum grounds, 170 NW 5th Ave., Delray Beach, in collaboration with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Delray Beach Chapter, in partnership with Sanfoka Study Group, Pyramid Books and Kwanzaa 365 Live. Call 561-279-8883 or visit spadymuseum.com. Learn more about Kwanzaa at officialkwanzaawebsite.org.

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HISTORY OF KWANZAA EXHIBIT: View a special glass case exhibit on Kwanzaa’s history, traditional ceremonies, and foods, in the lobby at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC), 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-357-6282.

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JAZZ AT THE BEACH: Bring your blankets and chairs as free live music concert series continues, Thursday, Dec. 29, 7 – 10 p.m., 2401 Ocean Ave., Riviera Beach. Call 561-845-4070 or visit rivierabch.com.

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WATER TAXI: Fort Lauderdale’s Holiday Light Cruises are a must for visiting friends and family and a great way to kick off the season for locals as well. Book tickets at watertaxi.com/holiday-lights-cruises/. Adults $40 per person; children (3 – 11), $20; under 3 ride free. Depart from 335 SE 6th Ave., Fort Lauderdale (Between Stranahan House and Riverside Hotel). Metered parking within walking distance at 620 E. Las Olas Boulevard Garage, street metered parking on Las Olas.

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FROZEN IN TIME EXHIBITION: This holiday season, view and celebrate the Love-Thornell Collection of Black American Photographs from the mid-19th to mid-20th centuries, presented by the Special Collections and Archives Department at the Broward County African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC), 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. The advent of photography in 1839 provided an invaluable opportunity to document life as Black Americans became both enthusiastic picture-takers and fascinating subjects. The collection donated by Jacqui Love-Thornell and her husband Kwasi Thornell contains an unprecedented array documenting Black American life – more than 1,300 images. View and learn about cabinet cards, tintypes, daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, stereotypes, cartes de visite and postcards celebrating African Americans and their families from days gone by. Call 954-357-6282.

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SOMETHING ROTTEN! Florida Studio Theatre is extending the run of its opening winter mainstage musical comedy production in FST’s Gompertz Theatre through Sunday, Jan. 8. FST’s second cabaret of the winter season, “A Place in the Sun – A Tribute to Stevie Wonder,” is playing through March 26, celebrating the legendary musician. The 49th Winter Season features a four-show Mainstage Series and a three-show Cabaret Series that includes the original musical revue “The ’70s: More Than a Decade” featuring Rebecca Hopkins through Feb. 12.

Tickets at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or 941-366-9000.

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“ALADDIN” AT THE ARSHT: Disney’s hit Broadway musical from the producer of “The Lion King” is a timeless story and extraordinary theatrical event in a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle, where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite, Jan. 3-8 at various times, tickets from $39, part of the 2022-2023 Broadway in Miami Series at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of MiamiDade County, 1300 Biscayne Blvd, Miami. Call 305-949-6722 or visit arshtcenter.org.

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UNDERSTANDING CRACK-ERS: A spiritual approach to comprehending why White people are so hateful, book launch with author Michelle Hollinger, Jan. 7, 9:30 p.m., Center for Black Innovation, 937 NW 3rd Ave., Miami. Wine and cheese VIP reception with author, 7:30 – 9 p.m. Register at iammichellehollinger.com.

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RED CARPET SOIREE: The Global Empowerment Development Corporation, a 501c3, is hosting the first annual event on Jan. 15, 8 p.m. at 3910 South SR 7, Miramar, to raise funds to assist in counseling people on credit, budgeting, debt management, and foreclosure prevention. Fabiola Constant, a Haitian-American philanthropist and businesswoman, is guest speaker and hostess. Visit eventbrite.com or call 305-413-6299.

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TIKIMARKET AT THE MARINA: “A taste of the islands without leaving town” is back featuring exotic treats, sensational vendors and free parking, Sundays 10 a.m. – 3, Riviera Beach Marina Village, 190 E. 13th St., Riviera Beach.

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WEST PALM BEACH GREENMARKET: The “Best Farmers Market” in the country the past two years returns with this year’s "Sweet Success" theme and more than 100 vendors, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturdays at 100 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. All-day weekend $5 flat rate parking available in public garages. Visit wpb.org/government/community-events.

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OCEANSIDE FARMERS’ MARKET: Saturdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Old Bridge Park, A1A at Lake Avenue, Lake Worth Beach, featuring music and more than 80 vendors providing local fruits and vegetables, flowers, baked goods and other delicacies. Parking free on old bridge park across from Lake Worth Beach and casino complex. Visit greenhouseeventsmanagement.com/lake-worth-beachfarmers-market.

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