by Andrew Baker

The first modern Christian music festival took place in 1970 in Wilmore Kentucky as a direct response to Woodstock. Since then, Christian music festivals have blossomed into a great opportunity every summer for people to connect with some of the best Christian bands and speakers.   Check through this list of the hottest Christian music festivals to find the right one for you or your youth group to attend. 

Dates: May 25 – 27

Website: http://www.spiritwestcoast.org/delmar/home.php

Tickets: http://www.spiritwestcoast.org/delmar/tickets.php or call 831-443-5399

Information: Held during Memorial Day Weekend. The first of two festivals under Spirit West Coast. Nine Stages, Camping for thousands, teaching seminars, recreation and action games, children’s activities, and over 100 exhibitors

Place: Del Mar, California

 

Dates: June 7-9

Website: http://www.crossoverfestival.org/

Tickets: http://www.crossoverfestival.org/ticketinfo.htm or call 1-800-901-6977

Information: from the site: “Stoneridge Amphitheater in Camdenton, Missouri. Located in the heart of the Lake of the Ozarks, the festival offers the best in today’s Christian artists in a beautiful outdoor amphitheater. Stoneridge has a very comfortable capacity of 10,000 seats”

Place: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

Dates: June 14-16

Website: http://www.ichthusfestival.org

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ichthusfestival

Tickets: http://www.ichthus.org/catalog/index.php?cPath=35_26 or call 859.858.3001

Information:  Featuring over 100 artists and speakers, missions opportunities, and equestrian center, ropes course, and tons more.

Place: Wilmore, Kentucky – Ichthus Farm

Dates: June 14-16

Website: http://www.atlantafest.com/

Tickets: http://www.atlantafest.com/ or call 1-800-783-8839

Information: More than 40 artists on 3 stages; rides/roller coasters; seminars; Bible studies; talent search; Christian Karaoke

Place: Atlanta, GA—Six Flags over Georgia

Dates: June 20-23

Website: http://www.alive.org/

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/alivefest

Tickets: http://www.alive.org/tickets.aspx or call (330) 899-0023

Information: over 60 artists, speakers and worship leaders

Place: Canal Fulton, Ohio—Clays Park Resort

Features of resort: music, speakers, camping, swimming, water slides on over 350 acres

Dates: June 22-24

Website: http://www.yat.org/rainbowvalley/

Tickets: FREE-- for more info call 715-849-4YAT

Information: Childrens’ Village crafts and puppet shows; 2 stages; Christian Merch;

Place: Trinity Lutheran Church—Wausau, WI       

Northeast Dates: June 27-30—Agape Farm—Mt. Union, PA http://www.creationfest.com/ne/

Tickets: http://www.creationfest.com/ne/tickets.php or call 800-327-6921

Information: Speakers, music, campground, booths, books, music merch

 

Northwest Dates: July 25-28—Gorge Amphitheater—George, Washington

Relient K, Switchfoot, Newsboys, Toby Mac, Jars of Clay, David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, Kutless, Leeland, Emery, Barlow Girl, Thousand Foot Krutch, Aaron Shust, Falling Up, Sanctus Real, Skillet, KJ-52, Hawk Nelson

 

Dates: June 25-30

Website: http://www.cornerstonefestival.com/

Tickets: http://www.itickets.com/cornerstone/ or call (773) 989-2087 

Information:

Place: Bushnell, Illinois

Dates: July 11-15

Website: http://www.lifest.com/2007%20Pages/home.htm

Tickets: http://www.lifest.com/2007%20Pages/tickets.htm

Info: camping, air glory freefall, inflatable games, fireworks, prayer journey, karaoke, basketball, volleyball, bonfire, kidzone, skate park

Place: Oshkosh, WI

Dates: July 12-14

Website: http://www.sonshinefestival.com/

Tickets: http://www.sonshinefestival.com/tickets.html or call 800-965-9324

Dates: August 2-4

Website: http://www.spiritwestcoast.org/home.php

Tickets: http://www.spiritwestcoast.org/tickets.php or call 831-443-5399

Information: 11^th Annual Sprit West Coast in Monterey. There are over a hundred concerts and teaching sessions. The festival is just 6 miles from Monterey Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

 

Dates: August 17-18

Website: http://www.hgmusicfest.com/

Tickets: http://www.hgmusicfest.com/tickets.html or call 866-821-5151

Information: sports pavilion, inflatable village, camping, poetry corner, kids 10 & under are free

Place: Winsted, MN 

Kingdom Bound
Dates: Aug 5-8
Website: http://www.kingdombound.org/
Tickets: http://www.itickets.com/events/161258.html or call 800.461.4485
Information: music, speakers, kids ministry, extreme sports demos,
water baptisms, communion; hotel or camping
Place: Western New York—Darien Lake Theme Park Resort, NY
Bands: The Afters, Article One, Casting Crowns, David Crowder Band,
Disciple, Geoff Moore and the Distance, Charlie Hall Band, Leeland,
Newsboys, Red, Aaorn Shust, Skillet, Superchic[k], TobyMac, Chris
Tomlin

Tomfest
Dates: August 8-11
Website: http://www.tomfest.com/
Tickets: http://www.tomfest.com/Tickets.htm
Information: music, camping, tattooing, karaoke, gaming tent, movie tent,
music jam tent
Place: Lacamas, Conference Center—Camas, WA
Bands: Not announced yet

 

Purple Door Festival
Dates: August 17 & 18
Website: http://www.purpledoor.com/
Tickets: http://www.purpledoor.com/tickets.html or call 1-877-PURPLED
Info: skatepark, paintball, Christian art gallery
Place: Ski Roundtop—Lewisberry, PA
Bands: John Reuben, Derek Webb, Leeland, Disciple, Anberlin, Cool Hand
Luke, Red, The Wedding, Eric James, Relient K, mewithoutYou