Light & Liberation: A Kwanzaa Christmas Cantata

Schedule

Sat, 13 Dec, 2025 at 06:00 pm

UTC-06:00

Location

Bethel AME Church - Champaign | Champaign, IL

Advertisement
Where Faith and Community Come Together!
Join us for a powerful, family-friendly cantata that weaves the Nativity story with the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa—Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba, and Imani. Through gospel choir and sacred Black hymns, African drums, spoken word, dance, and dramatic narration, Light & Liberation celebrates faith, culture, and community healing. Guided by the voices of “Bibi & Babu,” the story unfolds with candle lightings, call-and-response, and moments of hope you’ll feel long after the final “Amen.”
This event is a fundraiser for The Well Experience, in partnership with Bethel AME Church. Your ticket helps support community-centered programming and engagement.
Two Performances:
Saturday, December 13, 2025 • 6:00 PM
Sunday, December 14, 2025 • 4:00 PM
Location:
Bethel AME Church
401 E Park St, Champaign, IL 61820
Tickets:
General Admission: $10
Children (12 & under): $5
Seniors (65 and older): $7
General admission seating. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime.
Run time: approximately 75–90 minutes (no intermission).
What to Expect:
- Community choir & lead vocalists
- African drum ensemble and “dancing candles” for each Kwanzaa principle
- Youth & adult actors, spoken word, and vibrant storytelling
- A reverent, joyful celebration of the birth of Jesus and Black cultural pride
Good to Know:
• Family-friendly; great for ages 6+
• Please, no flash photography during the performance.
• Holiday/Kwanzaa attire welcome!
• For group reservations of 15 or more, please email [email protected].
Come ready to clap, sing, and be inspired. Thank you for supporting The Well Experience and this community celebration of Light & Liberation!
Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Bethel AME Church - Champaign, 401 E Park St,Champaign,IL,United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
The Well Experience Inc.

Host or Publisher The Well Experience Inc.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Champaign

Mele Ka-Tiki Maka 2025
Sat, 13 Dec at 01:00 pm Mele Ka-Tiki Maka 2025

40 E University Ave, Champaign, IL, United States, Illinois 61820

CONTESTS HOLIDAY
Design Your Own Ornaments
Sat, 13 Dec at 01:00 pm Design Your Own Ornaments

Champaign Park District Springer Cultural Center

HOLIDAY
Photos With Santa
Sat, 13 Dec at 01:00 pm Photos With Santa

4112C Fieldstone Rd, Champaign, IL, United States, Illinois 61822

PICTURES-WITH-SANTA HOLIDAY
Sensory-Friendly Show! Santa's Secret Star
Sat, 13 Dec at 03:30 pm Sensory-Friendly Show! Santa's Secret Star

William M. Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College

HOLIDAY
SINFONIA DA CAMERA: WINTER FANTASIA
Sat, 13 Dec at 07:00 pm SINFONIA DA CAMERA: WINTER FANTASIA

The Virginia Theatre

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
New Twang City
Sat, 13 Dec at 07:00 pm New Twang City

Huber's West End Store

Sinfonia Da Camera - Winter Fantasia at Virginia Theatre
Sat, 13 Dec at 07:00 pm Sinfonia Da Camera - Winter Fantasia at Virginia Theatre

Virginia Theatre

ART THEATRE
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Illinois Fighting Illini Mens Basketball
Sat, 13 Dec at 09:00 pm Nebraska Cornhuskers at Illinois Fighting Illini Mens Basketball

State Farm Center

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Ladies Wishlist Night
Thu, 13 Nov at 04:00 pm Ladies Wishlist Night

2437 Village Green Place, Champaign, IL, United States, Illinois 61822

HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS
Back-to-Back Bach: 275th Anniversary Celebration
Sun, 16 Nov at 04:00 pm Back-to-Back Bach: 275th Anniversary Celebration

Grace Lutheran Church, Champaign, IL

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Gingerbread Dish Wet Clay Class
Tue, 18 Nov at 06:00 pm Gingerbread Dish Wet Clay Class

1808 C Round Barn Road, Champaign, IL, United States, Illinois 61821

WORKSHOPS CHRISTMAS
Holiday Market & Festival of Trees
Sat, 22 Nov at 10:00 am Holiday Market & Festival of Trees

1900 S 1st St, Champaign, IL 61820-7450, United States

HOLIDAY FESTIVALS
Decorate for Christmas
Sat, 29 Nov at 10:00 am Decorate for Christmas

4601 N Market St, Champaign, IL, United States, Illinois 61822

CHRISTMAS
ELF (2003)
Sat, 29 Nov at 01:00 pm ELF (2003)

203 W Park Ave, Champaign, IL, United States, Illinois 61820

COMEDY ENTERTAINMENT
Messiah Sing-Along
Sun, 30 Nov at 04:00 pm Messiah Sing-Along

1602 S Prospect Ave, Savoy, IL, United States, Illinois 61874

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
B\u00c9LA FLECK & THE FLECKTONES: JINGLE ALL THE WAY
Mon, 01 Dec at 07:30 pm BÉLA FLECK & THE FLECKTONES: JINGLE ALL THE WAY

203 W Park Ave, Champaign, IL, United States, Illinois 61820

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
Bela Fleck and The Flecktones at Virginia Theatre
Mon, 01 Dec at 07:30 pm Bela Fleck and The Flecktones at Virginia Theatre

Virginia Theatre

ART THEATRE
Alto Vineyard\u2019s 2nd Annual Christmas Pop Up Bar!
Fri, 05 Dec at 06:00 pm Alto Vineyard’s 2nd Annual Christmas Pop Up Bar!

Alto Vineyards Champaign

POP-UPS MUSIC
Adult Christmas Party
Fri, 05 Dec at 06:30 pm Adult Christmas Party

4601 N Market St, Champaign, IL, United States, Illinois 61822

CHRISTMAS PARTIES
12 Beers of Christmas
Sat, 06 Dec at 12:00 pm 12 Beers of Christmas

106 N Walnut St, Champaign, IL

NONPROFIT CHRISTMAS

What's Happening Next in Champaign?

Discover Champaign Events