Uprise Festival 2026 Guide
Looking to rock out in the middle of a field, surrounded by fellow believers? Why not come out to the Uprise Festival in Shippensburg, PA? The tagline for the event is “It’s not a festival, it’s an experience.” There’s certainly a lot to experience during the weekend of September 11-12. You can enjoy music ranging from metal to hip-hop to worship, along with activities for the kids and vendors from all over. This guide features everything you need to know to spend a weekend in the sun, worshipping our Creator!
Tickets:
Tickets are available starting at $129.76 for both days (fees included) and $93.72 for a single day. You can purchase a campsite for an extra fee. Camping is very limited at the time of this writing.
Purchase Tickets Here: https://www.uprisefest.com/tickets
Lineup:
Highlights for Friday night include festival favorites like Skillet, Disciple and Petra while introducing new artists like Heal the Hurt and Grace Graber. Saturday gives us a stacked lineup with Brandon Lake, Pillar, Wolves at the Gate, Bloodlines and so many others. This lineup includes 40 musical acts, along with comedian Johnnie W. and speaker Reggie Dabbs stretched across four stages throughout the Shippensburg Fairgrounds. The stages are divided into genres: Main Stage, Rockstar Stage, Hip-Hop Stage, and a yet-to-be-named stage for up and coming artists.
Full schedule coming soon: https://www.uprisefest.com/lineup
Camping:
If you are camping, there will be signs along the main roads leading you to the intersection of Red Oak Lane and Park Heights Ave, where you’ll enter. Have all your information available so that it can really help streamline everything for the volunteers. The campsites are 20’ x 40’ with no exceptions and there are no hookups. Everything must fit, however if you have extra vehicles, you can either pay to park it elsewhere on the grounds or take it to the main parking lot along Possum Hollow Road.
More camping info: https://www.uprisefest.com/camping-information
Food:
If you’re hungry or thirsty, Uprise has you covered. There are a variety of food stands that can help with that fix for ice cream or BBQ or coffee. However, they require tokens instead of cash and credit. You can either purchase your tokens beforehand or you can buy them there at the festival. One token equals one dollar. You can bring your own food and drinks as well.
Tokens can be pre-purchased while buying tickets: https://www.uprisefest.com/tickets
Activities:
There’s so much more to this festival besides the music. They offer a kids zone that has face painting, petting zoo, bounce houses, games and the largest ice cream sundae in the county. If you’re somebody who enjoys running, they have a 5k on Saturday morning (registration - $35 before Aug 31, $40 before Sept 11 and $45 on the day of). If running isn’t your thing and you’re an early bird, Uprise offers a Praise & Pancake Breakfast. This includes a pancake breakfast, music from an Uprise artist and devotions for $25. This breakfast is held at the food pavilion near the food vendors.Don’t forget to visit the vendors and sponsors in the long building behind the kids area. This will also be the same location to get merch from your favorite Uprise artists. Be mindful that not all artists will be there the whole weekend. For example, Brandon Lake will probably only have his merch available on Saturday and not Friday.
Full Festival Experience: https://www.uprisefest.com/experience
Bands:
This year, we wanted to showcase a number of artists that are playing at the festival. There’s so many to choose from, but we chose five from each day.
Disciple
Year formed: 1992
Band Members: Kevin Young (vocals), Josiah Prince (guitar), Andrew Stanton (guitar), Dane Allen (bass), Joey West (drums)
Notable Releases:Disciple (2005), Scars Remain (2006), Southern Hospitality (2008), Horseshoes & Handgrenades (2010), Skeleton Psalms (2023)
Day/Stage: Friday on Main Stage
What We’re Expecting: Disciple brings a high-octane show filled with inspirational lyrics and an encouraging message to let you know that you’re not alone in this life. From Kevin’s wild hair flips to Josiah’s madeye facial expressions, Disciple brings an entertaining show every time they step on stage.
John Reuben
Year formed: 1997
Band Members: Solo Artist
Notable Releases: Are We There Yet? (2000), Hindsight (2002), The Boy vs. The Cynic (2005), Word of Mouth (2007)
Day/Stage: Friday on Main Stage
What We’re Expecting: When you see John Reuben live, you can expect a mixture of stand-up comedy and inspiring hip-hop rhymes that will have you grooving along. Last year, John made his first return back to Uprise in quite some time, which was pure nostalgia. This year has him in a prime spot on Friday night.
Spoken
Year formed: 1996
Band Members: Matt Baird (vocals), J.R. Bareis (guitar), Dylan Levernoch (bass), Jared Wisner (drums)
Notable Releases: A Moment of Imperfect Clarity (2003), Last Chance to Breathe (2005), Illusion (2013), Breathe Again (2015), Reflection (2024)
Day/Stage: Friday on Rockstar Stage
What We’re Expecting: Spoken has been creating melodic songs coupled with distorted guitar riffs and gritty screams for the last 30 years. Every time they take the stage, the band puts on a phenomenal show as Matt screams with passion and conviction. It is impressive how his voice can go from harmonies into gritty screams at a moment’s notice. From teaming with Cory Brennan (Norma Jean) to Brian “Head” Welch (Korn, Love & Death) to Ryan Clark (Demon Hunter), Spoken has put out songs that will certainly get the crowd moving.
Heal The Hurt
Year formed: 2024
Band Members: Trevor Tyson (vocals), Alec Gregory (bass), Brandon Marlowe (guitar), Kevin Schmitz (drums)
Notable Releases:Heal the Hurt (EP - 2024)
Day/Stage: Friday on Rockstar Stage
What We’re Expecting: Storming onto the stage last year with their debut EP, this band brings an encouraging message while also bringing the heavy. The band’s core mission is to use heavy music as a lifeline for listeners battling depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. This will be our first time seeing these guys and we are AMPED to see them.
Saved by Skarlet
Year formed: 2016
Band Members: Nate Middleton (vocals), Matt Middleton (guitars), Brendan (guitars), Dallen (drums)
Notable Releases: Out of Darkness (2019), Creation and Crisis (2024), Memory Relapse (2025)
Day/Stage: Friday on Rockstar Stage
What We’re Expecting: Last year we saw these guys for the first time and spent time talking to them about life, brotherhood and their new single, “Memory Relapse.” This four piece from New England puts together an exciting, impactful show that blends screams, cleans and inspirational lyrics. Each member brings a different aspect to the sound, sight and drive of the band. This is one band that you don’t want to miss!
Brandon Lake
Year formed: 2016
Band Members: Solo Artist
Notable Releases: House of Miracles (2020), Coat of Many Colors (2023), King of Hearts (2025)
Day/Stage: Saturday on Main Stage
What We’re Expecting: Brandon got his start with Bethel Music and Maverick City Music, which gave him the push he needed to go solo. Fast forward seven years along with millions of records sold and sold out concerts, it is amazing to see where God has taken him. The lyrics are authentic and written from a place of personal struggle, hardship and victory. While we haven’t had the pleasure of seeing him live, we are extremely excited to see him grace the main stage as the headliner on Saturday night.
Emerson Day
Year formed: 2023
Band Members: Solo Artist
Notable Releases: God Ain’t Finished Yet (2024), Get Behind Me (2025)
Day/Stage: Saturday on Main Stage
What We’re Expecting: Emerson is a young, driven, spunky singer/songwriter from Southern Maryland. That southern raspy voice highlights the attitude that she brings to every stage she steps on. An attitude that says I am not ashamed of who I am and that God Almighty is the one I follow. I was first introduced to her with her single, “Get Behind Me,” the title track from her latest release and I enjoyed the raspy vocals, driven approach and message that says that God will conquer the enemy. We’re excited to see what she can bring to the main stage and the future of Christian music.
Wolves at the Gate
Year formed: 2008
Band Members: Nick Detty (vocals/screams), Steve Cobucci (guitar/clean vocals), Ben Summers (bass), Joey Alarcon (guitars), Abishai Collingsworth (drums)
Notable Releases:Captors (2012), VxV (2014), Eclipse (2019), Wasteland (2025)
Day/Stage: Saturday on Rockstar Stage
What We’re Expecting: Wolves at the Gate always puts on a high-octane, heavy, intense show from beginning to end. Between Nick’s intense, ear-piercing screams to Steve’s smooth, passionate melodic voice, these two are an incredible duo that puts WATG above all others. Although the albums may sound different, the goal has always been the same: to preach the gospel. No matter where they are, you will hear an enduring message of hope and reconciliation from the band. We saw them at Uprise in 2024 when they headlined the Rockstar Stage and we’re eager to see them return to the same stage.
Nine Lashes
Year formed: 2006
Band Members: Jeremy Dunn (vocals), Jonathan David Jefferson (guitar), Joseph Andrew Jefferson (guitar), Adam “Tank” Jefferson (guitar), Jared Lankford (bass), Noah Terrell (drums)
Notable Releases:World We View (2012), From Water to War (2014), Ascend (2016), “The Fool (Mayday)” (2026)
Day/Stage: Saturday on Rockstar Stage
What We’re Expecting: Nine Lashes has that rock’n’roll sound filled with technical guitar riffs and thunderous drum beats. From sharing the stage with bands like Red, Thousand Foot Krutch and many others, they bring a rock sound that will get the crowd moving. While I haven’t had the chance to see them live, I am looking forward to finally seeing them and being a part of their comeback. If you miss the days of TFK, Pillar and Red, then you’ll want to make sure that you swing by the Rockstar Stage on Saturday for their set.
Bloodlines
Year formed: 2014
Band Members: Alexis Rodriguez (vocals), Matthew Benavides (drums/cleans), Aldo Mayorga (guitar), Daniel Camacho (guitar), Danny Vitola (bass)
Notable Releases: Hevel (2021), Holiness Cries (2024)
Day/Stage: Saturday on Rockstar Stage
What We’re Expecting: We were first introduced to Bloodlines through the KingdomCore podcast shortly after the release of their debut EP, Hevel. Since then, we’ve been rocking and jamming with every chord and scream. From their viral anti-pornography reel to the release of their latest single “Revivalist” featuring the return of Mattie Montgomery on the mic. This band from southern Texas brings the heat and lights up the stage. They was a highlight of last year’s festival and this is one band that you DON’T want to miss!
Come see all of these bands and so many more at Uprise Festival 2026! Still not sure? Check out our review of Uprise Festival 2025, a three-day 20th Anniversary event.
