The Biggest Bargain in Christian Music Is Still Winter Jam.

In a world where many of the name-brand Christian music festivals and tours have vanished, shrunk, or rebranded themselves into something barely recognizable, Winter Jam is still rolling along. And judging by the crowd at Bridgestone Arena this February, it’s not just alive, it’s thriving.

More than 30 years after its launch by Newsong, the tour continues to stick to its famously simple model. No reserved seats. No pre-sale tickets. Just $15 at the door. Yes, in 2026, that is not a typo. It is a total breathe of fresh air to take the family to a top notch night out on the town without breaking the bank. The tradeoff is if you want a good seat, you line up early and hope for the best.

We arrived shortly after doors opened, and by the time we made it inside, the entire first and second levels were already packed. This was a solid 45 minutes before the official start of the show. We were fortunate to get side-stage access, but we also did what everyone else does, wandered the concourse, grabbed merch, and eventually found seats just a few rows shy of the absolute back of Bridgestone’s upper level. It didn’t matter! Even from way up there, the energy was undeniable.

It was loud, joyful, and unmistakably centered on Jesus. But culturally, it felt different from the Winter Jams many of us grew up attending. The crowd wasn’t just youth groups in matching T-shirts. Though there were plenty of them. It was families, college students, longtime fans, and even some bachelorette stragglers.

Between sets, a DJ dropped in familiar mainstream songs, speakers mixed encouragement with jokes that mostly landed, and at worst felt like your favorite youth pastor trying his best.

One practical note. Sets are short and the pacing is quick. If you’re there to see a specific artist, plan your concession strategy accordingly. Outside of a brief intermission before the co-headliners, the night moves fast.

Credit Newsong for knowing exactly what this tour is supposed to be. Rather than centering themselves, they’ve clearly chosen to hand the spotlight to the next generation. That didn’t stop plenty of parents in the room from absolutely belting “Arise, My Love” like it was 1993 and they still had a cassette in the car.

Musically, it was incredibly diverse.

Emerson Day brought a country-leaning rock set that felt tailor-made for Nashville. Disciple followed with a dose of Southern grit and volume. The Tennessee natives proved Christian hard rock can still move arena crowds. Their set was loud, energetic, and just chaotic enough to feel authentic. They dipped briefly into their Honor & Glory worship persona to give the earplug crowd a breather.

Then came Hulvey, who delivered one of the most electric moments of the night. The Georgia native ran through new material, his collaborations with Forrest Frank, and fan favorites with a confidence that made it clear that he is going to play a major role in the next evolution of Christian music.

Matthew West did what Matthew West does. West is what Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W Smith to the previous generation. A great flag bearer and leader for the genre. He brought professionalism, storytelling, and a string of hits including “Unashamed,” “Hello, My Name Is,” and “Don’t Stop Praying.” Sure, a deep-cut throwback would’ve been fun, but the highlight was a heartfelt duet with his daughter. Winter Jam has always had that balance of big show and personal connection, and that moment captured it perfectly.

For our crew, though, our friend Katy Nichole was the major reason we were there. Our November CCM Magazine cover artist is someone we’ve seen in stripped-down settings before, but this was our first time catching the full-band version of her show. Opening with the rock anthem “Thorns” created a tone for her persona bending setlist. After the big rock intro there were moments that felt like broadway, pop, operatic, worship. Ending her set was her breakout hit “In Jesus Name” which left many of us in a puddle of tears. I can’t skip the arena-wide SpongeBob intro that I did not expect to participate in (and yet absolutely did), to her honest reflections on mental health. If you need a range of emotions, it’s Katy Nichole and she did not disappoint.

Chris Tomlin often headlines these nights, but I can only assume with a contractual obligation to his Good Friday gathering at Bridgestone, Anne Wilson stepped into the closing slot. No surprises there. She delivered a confident, high-energy performance that continues to blur the lines between Christian music and mainstream country, a lane she seems more than comfortable occupying.

One of the most encouraging takeaways from this year’s tour is that Winter Jam is now being driven by younger voices, including two very different female artists headlining the night. I This Nashville stop felt less like a concert and more like a family reunion that just happens to include 10,000 of your closest friends.

If Winter Jam is coming through your city this year, it’s still one of the most accessible live music experiences out there. And if you missed the Nashville date, go ahead and plan better next time.

And a sincere thank you to our friends at Centricity Music for taking such great care of us, and to Katy Nichole and her team for making it an especially memorable night for CCM Magazine and our families.