SonRise Music Festival

SonRise Music Festival stands as the biggest Christian Music Festival in Hampton Roads, drawing together top Christian, regional, and local artists for a two-day celebration of faith and music. Organized by SonRise Ministries, a Christ-centered, Bible-believing non-profit dedicated to sharing the love of Jesus Christ, the festival serves as a cornerstone event for the spiritual community across Virginia Beach and the surrounding region.

Festival Schedule and Experience

The 2026 festival runs across two days with different programming for each. Saturday gates open at 2:30 PM with performances beginning at 3:00 PM, continuing throughout the evening. A meet-and-greet opportunity with featured artists takes place at 5:30 PM Saturday, allowing attendees direct connection with performers. Sunday features a community worship gathering starting at 10:00 AM with gates opening at 9:15 AM. Notably, Sunday worship is offered free of charge, providing an accessible entry point for community members.

Mission and Community Connection

SonRise Ministries describes its vision as transforming hearts of the lost and burdened by uniting local churches and connecting them with the community through unified public corporate worship and local compassion ministries. The festival embodies this mission, serving as a unified gathering point for the faith community. The organization operates as a non-profit 501(c)(3) with headquarters in Chesapeake, Virginia, and is described as a team that desires for God to be the center of life in Hampton Roads.

Practical Information

Attendees are permitted to bring outside food and drinks to the festival. Alcohol and smoking are prohibited on the festival grounds. Parking is available at the City parking garage at 25th Street, which is recommended for convenient access. The festival is accessible for disabled attendees, with the organization noting that almost all sites have good access. In case of rain, the festival relocates to an indoor venue, and ticket holders are notified of any such changes. The complete performance schedule is posted two to three weeks before the festival.