It is hard to describe Celebrate Gospel as anything other than joyful. Each February during Black History Month, the Disneyland Resort celebrates with two weekends of incredible gospel music. In recent years, this celebration has been held in the Fantasyland Theatre. This year, as the theatre prepares for Bluey’s Best Day Ever, Celebrate Gospel was moved to the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage. This changed things up quite a bit. It also made it more accessible, as there was no need to purchase park admission or get a reservation this year to attend.
The main event ran on the last two Saturdays of February, from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with live singing. A headliner took to the stage each Saturday at around 7:00 PM. The first Saturday saw Hezekiah Walker taking to the stage. The final Saturday’s headliner was Yolanda Adams, one of the best-selling gospel artists of all time. She brought her heart and spirit to her performance as she sang the night away.
Throughout the day, the event was hosted by Trell Thomas, the founder of the Black Excellence Brunch. In between the guest choirs’ performances, the Singers of Soul graced the stage with energetic performances. Disneyland Resort Ambassadors Michelle & Orelia also joined Trell Thomas to welcome people and share about the Wall of Giving Flowers. There, people could write what empowers them on a paper flower. Then, put the flowers on the Wall of Giving Flowers to create a tapestry of inspiration.
The theme for Celebrate Gospel is “The Power of Song.” Below are videos from the second and final Saturday of Celebrate Gospel.
Greater LA Cathedral Choir
The Greater LA Cathedral Choir is a premier vocal ensemble that serves as a definitive voice for the “Cathedral” sound of the West Coast. Known for its sophisticated blend of classical choral discipline and the soulful, high-energy traditions of the Pentecostal church, the choir has earned a reputation for musical precision and spiritual depth. This choir is the official house choir on CBS’s Late Late Show with James Corden, a guest spot on VH1’s The Linda Perry Project, and appearing as a featured choir on Mariah Carey’s Emancipation of Mimi Live Tour album. The choir has also provided background vocals for Josh Groban, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Tye Tribbett, and many others. With lush, operatic harmonies and a mastery of complex modulations, the Greater LA Cathedral Choir continues to represent a bridge between traditional hymnody and contemporary urban gospel, influencing generations of church musicians and recording artists alike.
Singers of Soul
The Singers of Soul are an acclaimed Los Angeles-based vocal ensemble recognized for their vibrant contributions to the annual Celebrate Gospel showcase at the Disneyland Resort. Composed of a collective of high-caliber vocalists from across Southern California, the group is united by a common mission: to spread love, hope, and joy through the transformative power of music. Their sound is characterized by a sophisticated blend of traditional gospel fervor and modern vocal arrangements, often featuring soulful harmonies and dynamic, high-energy performances that resonate with diverse audiences. As a recurring highlight of the Celebrate Soulfully festivities, The Singers of Soul have become an integral part of the resort’s cultural programming, bridging the gap between sacred tradition and contemporary artistry.
Azusa Pacific University Gospel Choir
The Azusa Pacific University (APU) Gospel Choir is a premier collegiate ensemble that serves as a vibrant ambassador of diverse worship and musical excellence. Celebrating over thirty years of ministry, the choir is renowned for its high-energy performances that seamlessly blend traditional gospel foundations with contemporary urban praise. Comprising a diverse group of students from various academic disciplines, the ensemble is more than a musical group; it is a laboratory for spiritual formation and cultural bridge-building. Under distinguished leadership, the choir has traveled extensively, both domestically and internationally, sharing a message of hope and unity that transcends denominational and ethnic boundaries. Their legacy is defined by a commitment to “Difference Makers,” utilizing the power of choral music to foster an inclusive environment of communal worship and academic excellence.
Singers of Soul
Lorenzo Johnson & Praizum
Lorenzo Johnson & Praizum is a dynamic gospel ensemble that has carved a unique niche in the industry by leveraging the performing arts as a transformative tool for community outreach and spiritual expression. Established in 2006 by visionary director Lorenzo Johnson, Jr., the group is celebrated for its eclectic blend of traditional choral foundations and high-energy contemporary gospel. Their debut project, Life Support, exemplifies their mission to provide musical “first aid” to the brokenhearted, featuring a sound that is as technically proficient as it is emotionally resonant. Based in Southern California, Praizum has become a staple of major cultural events—including recurring appearances at Disneyland’s Celebrate Gospel—where they are recognized for their vibrant stage presence and a diverse membership that reflects a wide array of denominational and cultural backgrounds.
Friendship Baptist Church Mass Choir
The Friendship Baptist Church Mass Choir represents a storied tradition of communal worship and musical excellence, notably gaining national recognition through their collaboration with gospel innovator Brent Jones. Their seminal 2005 album, Heaven in the Room, served as a masterclass in modern mass choir dynamics, blending soulful urban contemporary arrangements with the raw, high-energy spirit of the traditional black church. This ensemble is celebrated for its ability to deliver intricate, contemporary harmonies while maintaining an atmosphere of accessible, congregational praise—a balance that has made tracks like “I Need a Touch” and “Totally” enduring favorites in the gospel canon. As a pillar of their community, the choir embodies the “neighborly spirit” of the Friendship tradition, continuing to inspire through a legacy of recorded works and powerful live performances that bridge the gap between classic hymnody and 21st-century gospel.
Singers of Soul
FReSH Generation
FReSH Generation is a high-energy gospel ensemble hailing from the Faithful Central Bible Church (FCBC) in Inglewood, California. As the youth and young adult choir of the historic “Faithful Central” family, the group is renowned for its vibrant, urban contemporary sound that speaks directly to the next generation of believers. Under the spiritual leadership of Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer and Pastor John-Paul Foster, FReSH Generation has become a staple of the Southern California gospel scene, recognized for its technical vocal agility and its ability to blend modern R&B influences with traditional praise. A recurring favorite at Disneyland’s annual Celebrate Gospel showcase, the ensemble is celebrated for its infectious joy and powerful stage presence, utilizing music as a vessel to deliver a “fresh” and relevant message of hope to diverse audiences.
Singers of Soul
Fm2 & Intentional
FM2 & Intentional is a powerful West Coast gospel ensemble renowned for their “East Coast feel” and high-energy choral delivery. Under the musical direction of Darnell Davis, the group has carved out a significant space in contemporary gospel with a sound that emphasizes precision, vocal agility, and deep-seated worship. They are perhaps best known for their breakout project Live from the Choir Stand, featuring the hit anthem “We Made It,” which has become a staple in choirs across the country. Known for their technical prowess and soulful arrangements—often featuring the legendary Michael Bereal on keys—FM2 & Intentional seamlessly blend traditional mass choir power with modern urban gospel. As a recurring featured act at Disneyland’s Celebrate Gospel showcase, the group continues to be celebrated for its ability to command a stage and lead diverse audiences into a vibrant, intentional atmosphere of praise.
Singers of Soul
Yolanda Adams
Yolanda Adams is a global icon of contemporary gospel music, revered as the “Queen of Urban Gospel” for her transformative blend of R&B, jazz, and traditional spiritual foundations. With a career spanning four decades, the Houston native and former schoolteacher has sold nearly 10 million albums and earned a staggering array of accolades, including four Grammy Awards, sixteen Stellar Awards, and the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. After a thirteen-year hiatus from solo recording, Adams made a triumphant return with her 2024 album Sunny Days, featuring the critically acclaimed single “Church Doors,” which garnered a 2025 Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance/Song. Beyond the stage, she is a multi-faceted powerhouse—starring in the hit series Kingdom Business, hosting the nationally syndicated Yolanda Adams Morning Show, and recently conquering Broadway in the Alicia Keys musical Hell’s Kitchen. Her legacy is defined not only by her soaring vocal range and haute couture style but by an unwavering commitment to using her platform for philanthropy and spiritual uplift.
Celebrate Gospel is a part of the larger Celebrate Soulfully, the soulful celebration of Black heritage and culture. While the Disneyland Resort highlights this and provides more offerings during February, throughout the year, Celebrate Soulfully continues with music, food, art, and stories. What do you think of the second and final Saturday for this year’s Celebrate Gospel? What was your favorite performance? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
