Flowers are blooming, radios are blaring, and bands are touring, which means Spring is here and it’s time for the 2024 Christian Summer Concert Preview.
Christian music, whether on the air or live in person, can be as charged and raucous as you want, depending on your musical tastes. For mainstream CCM (Christian contemporary music), Salem Music Network claims 16 million listeners listen to their over 1,500 U.S. radio stations each week, with 64% of their audience within the coveted 25 to 54-year-old demographic.
This year of Christian music promises to feature diverse genres in different venues. Whatever you fancy on your playlists, the odds are something is coming your way this year. We pilfered through ticket sites and several Christian entertainment blogs to provide this list.
Bookmark this and plan accordingly. It’s time to make a “joyful noise!” Or, if you know the average Christ-following grandparent, it’s “a loud racket” and you’ll be commanded to turn it down.
On with the show…
Ark Encounter Festival
The Ark Encounter is an idea for a family vacation, featuring a life-size replica of Noah’s Ark that is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high. The vacation destination is located in Williamstown, Kentucky, halfway between Lexington and Cincinnati, Ohio.
For audiophiles and jam session fans, the Ark Encounter is home to a music festival unlike any other. They take the obligatory 40 days and 40 nights (Genesis 7) and make their campgrounds Ground Zero for “the world’s largest Christian music festival.”
From July 30 to September 7, the Ark Encounter hosts over 150 artists and acts from CCM, Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, Country, and Worship, and even a Bible conference bus full of national speakers.
Tickets: 800-721-2298 or visit 40DaysOfChristianMusic.com.
Toby Mac’s “Hits Deep” U.S. Tour
The Dove and Grammy award-winning artist, Toby Mac, is no stranger to a Christian summer concert, radio stations, or fans of different genres. For over four decades, the man born Toby McKeehan has provided countless music experiences.
His fame began as a member of the early hip-hop group DC Talk. In the grunge-laden 1990s, DC Talk went platinum with the smash alternative rock album “Jesus Freak.” Following that success, Toby Mac went to the studio to cultivate a solo career.
In 2024, he’s back with what critics have called his best effort since the 90s, “Life After Death.” A U.S. Christian summer concert tour features a star-studded line-up led by Toby Mac for what should be a soulful and spirit-filled time of music and moments with God.
Tickets: KLOVE.com or AwakeningEvents.com
Zach Williams “A Hundred Highways” Tour
If Southern Rock and Country is your thing, Zach Williams should monopolize a few of your playlists and check a square for Christian summer concerts. Some of his best-selling songs include “There Was Jesus,” “Rise Up,” and the stirring rally cry “Chain Breaker.”
Raised in Arkansas and based in Nashville, Tennessee, Williams’ music differs from worship or CCM favorites because of the boldness of his lyrics and grit, usually associated with Southern Rock or “Red Dirt” Country. And if there were ever a “Christian beer drinking” song, it would be Williams’ pre-eminent backslider’s anthem featuring Walker Hayes, “Jesus’ Fault.”
Touring with Williams is his opening act, Riley Clemmons, who is considered an up-and-coming artist in CCM circles, following his debut single “Broken Prayers.”
Tickets: AwakeningEvents.com
MercyMe “Always Only Jesus” Tour
CCM juggernauts MercyMe are on tour with another iconic Christian band, Newsboys. Famously known through a biopic about lead singer Bart Millard titled “I Can Only Imagine,” MercyMe took Christian music by storm with the song of the same name.
Since then, the band has churned out popular chart-toppers like “Word of God Speak,” “You Are I Am,” and “Even If.” The tour, titled after their new album, features 1980s Christian boy band, Newsboys. The band experienced a career resurrection with the title song from the hit faith-based movie, “God’s Not Dead.”
Tickets: Rush Concerts
Elevation Worship Praise Party
From July 23 to August, the Grammy-winning worship team led by Pastor Steven Furtick, Elevation Worship, will go on an eight-city tour for a limited time. Based on their previous stints in the past couple of years, these tickets will prove to be a hot commodity.
More commonly known as “Elevation Nights,” the event features the band led by Chris Brown and capped with a motivational message about the power of God, usually delivered by Pastor Furtick.
The concert set list will feature songs from their latest album, as well as the most popular worship songs “Graves Into Gardens,” “RATTLE!,” “Do It Again,” and “The Blessing.”
Tickets: Mainstream ticket vendors and Elevation Worship
Casting Crowns 20th Anniversary Tour
Formed on the stage of First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Florida, Casting Crowns was part of the mainstream Christian radio Halycon Days in the late ’90s to early oughts. The band is a complete ensemble and has been a CCM presence since its first hit, “Your Love is Extravagant.”
In July 2021, the band suffered a tragic loss as founding member and drummer, Andy Williams, died in a motorcycle accident after being hit by a car while on his way to church in Franklin, Tennessee.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Casting Crowns is traveling with a live symphony, which will only enhance its worship songs and compelling lyrics.
Tickets: CastingCrowns.com and Rush Concerts
Chris Tomlin “Holy Forever” Tour
One of the most prolific praise and worship leaders today announced a world tour to kick off the year. The glory continues throughout 2024, maybe at a venue near you.
This may be one of the hottest tickets for a Christian summer concert, given the church’s emotion and being caught up in the Spirit of God. Tomlin will interchange opening acts, depending on the location, between Cain (pictured above) and Tauren Wells, writer of “Hills and Valleys” and “Joy in the Morning” with Lecrae.
Given the reach of this tour, find the tickets when you can. They won’t last long.
Tickets: Mainstream ticket vendors and ChrisTomlin.com
Summer Worship Nights 2024
A fitting inclusion for a list of the hottest tickets for Christian summer concerts is “Summer Worship Nights” featuring acclaimed artist Phil Wickham and and five-time Grammy winner with Maverick City Music, Brandon Lake.
Each stop is in a full arena (10,000-25,000 seats) with LEDs and 4K screens. Both singers perform their sets individually, followed by duets, to lead the children of God in praise.
Each stop has waitlists and orders via the website. Like anywhere else, you can purchase a fair amount of merchandise in advance to prepare for the show. If you want to see them individually, both are touring with separate tours.
Tickets: SummerWorshipNightsTour.com
Hillfest 2024
If you’re looking for summer fun that involves a destination, vacation, and jam session, consider Hillfest 2024 in New Ipswich, New Hampshire. The festival was born out of a church rebuilding project in 2015.
They began to bring in Christian artists for concerts to build their funding. Before they knew it, word spread across the country, and Christians came from many states looking for Christian summer concerts with a better temperature.
Hillfest 2024 features headlining acts Big Daddy Weave, Kat Nichole, and We the Kingdom. The event is on July 13, and the spirit moves all day long.
Tickets: HillfestEvents.com
FaithFest
FaithFest, September 20-21, is on the outskirts of summer at Wilkesboro, North Carolina. FatihFest may be one of the largest Christian summer concerts you’ve ever known existed.
The gathering is rooted in evangelism, using worship and the Word to create community and reach the lost. In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the event has been growing in size and popularity among Christian concert lovers.
This year, FaithFest features speakers and singers, including, but not limited to, Matthew West, Ben Fuller, Jason Crabb, Jon Reddick, We Are Messengers, and Clayton King.
Tickets: FaithFest.com and Craig Church Ministries
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