A close-up of a smiling older Black man and a woman embracing cheek-to-cheek at an outdoor gathering. The man wears a red hat, glasses, and a prominent cowrie shell necklace with a large Ankh pendant. The woman wears an elaborate, tall red headwrap and a vibrant top featuring African-inspired geometric patterns in yellow, green, and black. String lights glow in the background against a twilight sky.
St. Pete Youth Farm head Carla Bristol (right) at last year’s first night of Kwanzaa at the farm. Credit: St. Pete Youth Farm / Facebook

The first night of Kwanzaa centers on the principle of umoja, meaning “unity” in Swahili. St. Pete Youth Farm practices the concept every day with workshops, programs and events to promote a happier, healthier Tampa Bay.

Next Friday, community members will gather to celebrate and reflect on the African proverb “I am because we are.”

It’s one of the farm’s biggest events of the year, with drumming, family-friendly activities and free food.

Carla Bristol, who heads the farm, posts more Kwanzaa events around St. Pete at fb.com/kwanzaastpete.

There is no cover for St. Pete Youth Farm’s 12th Annual First Night of Kwanzaa happening Saturday, Dec. 26 in St. Petersburg.

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This article appears in Dec. 18 – 24, 2025.

Selene San Felice is managing editor of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Prior to joining CL in 2025, she started the Axios Tampa Bay newsletter and worked for her hometown paper, The Capital in Annapolis,...