PHOTOS: 2024 Capital City Kwanzaa Festival in Richmond

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The 2024 Capital City Kwanzaa Festival took place in Richmond this weekend, offering residents an opportunity to celebrate the holiday with music, dance and more. The festival was hosted by the Elegba Folklore Society at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Saturday, Dec. 28, featuring music and dance on the main stage as well as food and shopping in the African Market. According to a release from the event hosts, the festival is one of the largest celebrations of Kwanzaa on the East Coast. 8News spoke to Janine Bell -- founding president and artistic director of the Elegba Folklore Society -- about the importance of an event like this for the surrounding community. "It's significant when we can come into the village and smell the smells and see the colors, and feel a sense of belonging and be immersed in upliftment," Bell said. For more information about the Elegba Folklore Society, visit their website. Continue scrolling to see photos from the celebratory event: (Courtesy of Nikkita Tyler, 8News) (Courtesy of Nikkita Tyler, 8News) (Courtesy of Nikkita Tyler, 8News) (Courtesy of Nikkita Tyler, 8News) (Courtesy of Nikkita Tyler, 8News)