December 11-12: Sweet Honey in the Rock: Celebrating the Holydays at UMD

• UMD Campus
• Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
• 8270 Alumni Dr., College Park
• Thursday, Dec 11 @ 8pm
• Friday, Dec 12 @ 10am

Tickets available on EventBrite Soon!

Sweet Honey in the Rock’s Celebrating the Holydays program is a moving seasonal concert that weaves together traditional American holiday spirituals, hymns, gospel, and inspirational songs with a global perspective. The ensemble blends elements of jazz, blues, hip-hop, and folk into their harmonies, offering audiences a joyful yet socially conscious program. In addition to classics like Silent Night and Jesus, What a Wonderful Child, the group often includes their signature works such as We Are and Let There Be Peace, creating a performance that is both celebratory and reflective. 

The program also emphasizes inclusivity, with ASL interpretation integral to the performance, highlighting their long tradition of accessibility and connection with diverse communities.Beyond simply performing holiday favorites, Celebrating the Holydays is conceived as a space for uplift, resilience, and cultural dialogue. 

The ensemble uses music to spotlight peace, justice, and togetherness at a time of year that calls for reflection. By combining festive repertoire with powerful messages of unity and hope, Sweet Honey in the Rock transforms the holiday concert into a communal experience—inviting audiences to sing, reflect, and celebrate across traditions. The program’s strength lies in its balance: reverent but spirited, rooted in African American cultural traditions yet open to a wide spectrum of global influences, making it an annual highlight for audiences seeking inspiration and joy during the holiday season.