School's out, the birds are singing, the breeze is warm, and the days are long. This can only mean one thing: summer is here, and with the changing weather comes the Christian music festival season. With over three dozen options spanning nineteen states, there are plenty of choices to sift through. 

Whether you're a festival veteran or a newbie to the festival circuit, we've got you covered. All you have to do is grab some friends, get in the car, roll the windows down, and crank up your favorite tunes. We've planned your summer Christian Music Festival Road Trip so you don't have to.

1. SpiritSong
WHEN: June 23-25
WHERE: Kings Island, OH
WHY: SpiritSong kicks off the summer festival season in style. Located at the historic Kings Island amusement park, SpiritSong features a stellar line-up of Christian artists such as Kari Jobe, for KING & COUNTRY and Jordan Feliz. What better way to unwind after a long day of riding roller coasters and eating fried food than to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show? And the best part: admission to the park is free with a festival ticket. If you happen to be in the midwest, SpiritSong provides a convenient central location to kickstart your summer road trip.
NOTABLE ARTISTS: Casting Crowns, RED, for KING & COUNTRY, Kari Jobe, Jordan Feliz, Andy Mineo

2. Kings Fest
WHEN: June 23 - 25
WHERE: Richmond, VA
WHY: Also happening the last weekend of June (so you'll have to either drive fast or miss out on the last day or two of the first festival), Kings Fest takes place at Kings Dominion amusement park and is the sister festival of SpiritSong. The two festivals share a similar roster and schedule, but Kings Fest switches it up by adding adult-contemporary powerhouse Casting Crowns and comedian Bone Hampton to the line-up.  Like SpiritSong, admission to the park is free with a festival ticket. If you like summer music festivals, chances are you're a thrill seeker, so why not kill two birds with one stone? If you're on the east coast, Kings Fest will definitely be the way to go.
NOTABLE ARTISTS: for KING & COUNTRY, RED, Stars Go Dim, Family Force 5

3. Creation Northeast
WHEN: June 29 - July 2
WHERE: Mount Union, PA
WHY: One of the oldest and largest Christian music festivals in the world, Creation Northeast takes place a mere four days after the end of Kings Fest and Spirit Song. What sets Creation apart from other summer festivals is its unique location deep in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains-- we promise, there's nothing around for miles! This special setting allows festival-goers a chance to disconnect from the outside world and connect with God through awesome music and thought-provoking speakers. With multiple stages, late night dance parties, candlelight worship services, and just about every big name in Christian music, Creation should be a bucket list festival for any Christian music fan.
NOTABLE ARTISTS: Newsboys, Switchfoot, Tedashii, 1GN, for KING & COUNTRY, Family Force 5, Bread of Stone

4. Lifest
WHEN: July 7 - 10
WHERE: Oshkosh, WI
WHY: Lifest is a hefty twelve-hour drive from Creation Northeast, but it makes up for it with one of the strongest line-ups of the summer festival season. Boasting five stages of various genres, there is something for everyone at the festival. The days are long-- music starts as early as 9:00am-- but they are jam-packed with a wide variety of activities. Dodgeball, volleyball, basketball, painting, a petting zoo and the KidZone are all available with the purchase of a festival ticket. If that's not your style, there are plenty of speakers, comedians and artist Q&A sessions to whet your whistle. Each night ends with a bonfire worship session at the Grandstand featuring some of the artists heard throughout the day. Oh, and don't forget to grab some authentic Wisconsin cheese curds while you're there.
NOTABLE ARTISTS: Family Force 5, KB, Children 18:3, Casting Crowns, Blanca, MercyMe, Fireflight, Hawk Nelson
5. World Pulse Festival
WHEN: July 15 - 16
WHERE: South Bend, IN
WHY: South Bend, Indiana is best known for one thing-- Notre Dame football. But, once a year, something else takes place. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, World Pulse Festival is a two-day music festival at the historic Notre Dame campus. Because of this big milestone, Pulse Fest is bringing in some of the most influential acts in Christian music history, along with a dose of "young blood." Anyone who grew up on Petra, Whiteheart, The Imperials, or Phillips, Craig, & Dean, will feel right at home. And even if you didn't grow up listening to those legends, Pulse Fest is a perfect opportunity for a crash course in the founding fathers of Christian music.
NOTABLE ARTISTS: Phillips, Craig, & Dean, Lincoln Brewster, Plumb, 7eventh Time Down, The Union of Sinners & Saints, The Imperials

6. Alive Festival
WHEN: July 20 - 23
WHERE: Mineral City, OH
WHY: It just wouldn't be summer without a trip to the beach and, thankfully, Alive Festival offers that and plenty more. Located at Atwood Lake Park & Amphitheater in Mineral City, Ohio, Alive Festival has everything you'd expect from a memorable family vacation. Guests of the park can expect swimming, fishing, hiking and camping, all set to the background of some of the best acts in Christian music. Each afternoon, Alive hosts a heart of the artist seminar, giving fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into the lives and testimonies of their favorite artists. Artists this year include Andy Mineo, All Sons & Daughters, John Cooper of Skillet and Casting Crowns.
NOTABLE ARTISTS: Skillet, All Sons & Daughters, Sidewalk Prophets, Vertical Church Band, Wolves At The Gate

7. Soulfest
WHEN: August 4 - 6
WHERE: Gilford, NH
WHY: There's a two-week gap and twelve-hour drive between Alive Festival and Soulfest, so only check this one out if you're feeling adventurous. However, the long trek is completely worth it as Soulfest has one of the more unique line-ups of any summer festival. Lacey Sturm, P.O.D, Manafest, Peter Furler and Project 86 are just a few of the artists you'll find on the stacked roster. Soulfest has five stages spread across the grounds, but the one that stands out the most is the Mountain Top stage, located on the other end of a 15-minute ride on the Panorama Chairlift to the top of the Gunstock Mountain Resort. There you can admire the scenic view while enjoying acoustic acts such as Matt Maher, The Gray Havens and Paul Coleman. If you ever get bored of the music, Gunstock also features hiking, fishing and a two-hour zipline tour.
NOTABLE ARTISTS: Skillet, Switchfoot, Building 429, Matthew West, Peter Furler, P.O.D., Project 86

8. Unity Festival
WHEN: August 10 - 13
WHERE: Muskegon, MI
WHY: Capping off the eastern leg of our tour, Unity Festival is one of the fastest growing Christian music festivals in the midwest. In addition to the three-day event, there is a free pre-show on Wednesday evening. This "Day Zero" features a fantastic line-up of artists including Francesca Battistelli, Josh Wilson, Jordan Feliz, Good Little Giants and Vertical Church Band. Headliners for the rest of the week include Switchfoot, for KING & COUNTRY and Newsboys. Once Unity Festival concludes, be sure to take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back. You just survived the 2016 Christian Music Festival Road Trip.
NOTABLE ARTISTS: Newsboys, Meredith Andrews, Good Little Giants, Francesca Battistelli, Jordan Feliz, Switchfoot, Josh Wilson

Which festivals are you planning to attend this summer?