Muddy fields. Portaloos that hit you in the face the second you open the door. We’ve been to those festivals. Christcore Fest will not be one of them.

We’re holding this one indoors, with air conditioning and clean bathrooms. That alone puts us ahead of most festivals we’ve survived.

But a two-day heavy music festival still takes some planning. We’re expecting 2,000 to 4,000 people at Wilson Logistics Arena in Springfield, Missouri on April 24-25, 2027. Here’s how to make the most of it.

Set Your Budget First

Start with your ticket. Decide if you want to do this festival in luxury or as cheaply as possible.

A hotel nearby usually pays off. Most hotels include breakfast, so you start the day already fed. Grab a roommate to split the cost, whether that’s a friend or someone you meet online planning the same trip.

Next, budget for food. Some people load up a cooler for the car. Others grab groceries and microwave meals at the hotel. Either way, plan it ahead of time.

Finally, save room in your budget for merch. With 22 bands each bringing their own merch table, plus vendors selling jewelry and apparel, you’ll want cash on hand. Grab a Christcore tote bag so you can drop your haul off at your car and head back in with your hands free.

Please, Shower

Every festival has that one shirtless, sweaty guy in the pit that everyone gives 10 feet of space. Don’t be that guy.

Wear deodorant. Shower before you come, and shower again if you’re staying multiple days. If your hotel or Airbnb is close by, use it. Being indoors means there’s no breeze to carry any of that away.

Bring Earplugs or In-Ears

In-ear monitors work like elaborate headphones. They protect your hearing while still letting you hear the music clearly.

We recommend earplugs or in-ears for everyone attending, not just the artists on stage. We’re exploring a partnership with an earplug or in-ear company for the festival. Even if that doesn’t come together, bring your own just in case.

Find Your Home Base

You’ll likely be at the venue from midday until curfew around 10:30pm. That’s 10 to 11 hours on your feet.

Pick a spot early, ideally near the bleachers, where your group can regroup during the day. This matters even more if you deal with social anxiety in big crowds. Having one agreed-upon meeting spot means you always know where to find your people, whether someone needs a bathroom break or just five minutes to sit down.

Pick Your Must-See Bands

Christcore Fest runs on a single stage this year, so you won’t miss a band by choosing the wrong stage. But with 10 hours of music, you’ll still want to plan around your must-see acts.

Figure out which bands you absolutely cannot miss. Build your snack breaks, bathroom breaks, and rest time around those sets. We’ll post the full lineup and set times online well before the festival so you can map out your day in advance.

Bring People You Trust

If this is your first festival, bring people you know and trust. Having a few familiar faces in a crowd of 4,000 strangers makes the whole experience easier.

We’re building in support for this too. Look for a booth where you can talk to someone if you’re feeling overwhelmed or alone, plus additional points around the venue staffed by people ready to talk or pray with you. We want this festival to feel like a community, not just an event you attend once and forget.

A Women’s Event, Just for You

If you’re a woman planning to come alone, we’ve got you. We’re holding a full women’s event the morning of April 24th, before day one of the festival officially starts.

This idea came directly from women who told us they wanted to attend but felt nervous about going alone. We’re keeping the ticket as affordable as possible. Beyond the event itself, we’re planning a group chat so attendees can connect with each other before festival weekend even begins.

Get your tickets to join us.

Quick Recap Before You Go

Here’s everything in one place:

• Budget for your ticket, hotel, food, and merch
• Shower and wear deodorant
• Bring earplugs or in-ears
• Pick a meeting spot with your group
• Plan your day around your must-see bands
• Bring people you trust
• Drink water and stay hydrated
• If you’re a woman coming alone, grab a ticket to the women’s event

And one more thing we learned the hard way from past festivals: never set up camp near the toilets. You’ll thank us later.

Get Your Tickets Now

Ticket prices go up once we announce our next round of bands, so grab yours now while pricing is still at its lowest.

Get on the email list for early access to lineup announcements and everything else happening before festival weekend. And if you want to gear up early, our merch shop has shirts and stickers for people who don’t water down their faith or their playlist.

We can’t wait to see you there!