December 8, 2025

An Afternoon of Worship Presented by CleanWater of Virginia featuring Chris Tomlin, with Special Guest Cade Thompson

The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® is excited to announce GRAMMY, Billboard Music and Dove Award-winning artist Chris Tomlin will headline the 2026 Contemporary Christian Concert, presented by Clean Water of Virginia, on the White House Foods stage in the Tolley Dental Zone on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center at Shenandoah University.  Doors open at Noon, show begins at 2:00 pm. 


Joining Chris Tomlin is rising Contemporary Christian artist Cade Thompson

Chris Tomlin

CHRIS TOMLIN

TIME magazine heralded Chris Tomlin as the “most often sung artist in the world” as his music has inspired and uplifted an entire generation of believers. Along the way, Chris has scored 21 number-one singles, 30 top ten hits (more than any other Christian artist), and spent a total of 157 weeks at number one during his career. Tomlin has sold more than 12 million albums with 8 billion career global streams, won a Grammy, three Billboard Music Awards, 28 Dove Awards, became a two-time BMI Songwriter of the Year honoree and an ASCAP Songwriter of the Year. In 2016, he was named one of only four artists ever to receive the Sound Exchange Digital Radio Award for over 1 billion digital radio streams, alongside Justin Timberlake, Pitbull, and Garth Brooks. Chris is also the first Christian artist to reach the billion streams threshold on Pandora and was presented with their BILLIONAIRE award. As one of the most successful Christian touring artists today, Chris has sold out venues everywhere including New York City’s Madison Square Garden, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver, and more. Chris recently set a career attendance record with an unprecedented concert at LA’s Banc of California Stadium.

Cade Thompson

CADE THOMPSON

Cade Thompson is an energetic and soulful Contemporary Christian music artist with a sound that appeals to believers and mainstream pop audiences alike. Cade’s effortless style promotes his personal musical influences, which draws heavily from the church. Cade has an admirable ability to transform his thoughts and faith into a powerful collection of melodies and lyrics that inspire people of all ages to step into all that God has for them.


Cade has had an affinity with music since his toddler days when even a preschool teacher noticed him frequently harmonizing early on, and eventually progressed through piano, guitar and drum lessons. After joining the youth worship team in 6th grade, a music mentor came into his life who emphasized the importance of seeking God through the Bible outside of a worship setting. This understanding placed Cade on a deeper course of encountering the love of the Father and seeking His presence more intently. In these early teen years, Cade knew God was calling him into music ministry and giving him opportunities to grow in that calling.


God has continued to reveal Cade’s heart; the outpouring has resulted in a strong connection to his generation sonically and lyrically. Shortly after finishing high school, Cade moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Following his move, Cade signed a record deal with Red Street Records, an independent Christian label founded by Rascal Flatts member, Jay DeMarcus. Thompson made waves across the Christian music community with the release of his debut single, “Provider” and in August 2020, earned his first Top 20 Billboard charting single with “Every Step of the Way.” He has also seen huge success online, where his music has earned over sixty million streams to date. Cade hit the ground running in 2021 and 2022, with a consistent lineup of shows across the nation opening for some of CCM’s biggest names. Cade’s debut album, Bigger Story, was released in September 2021 and paved the way for his sophomore album, Empty Room, which was released in April 2023. This project hosts 12 powerful tracks including Cade’s current radio single “Good God,” which follows his massively successful “Arms of Jesus” that racked up sixteen million streams to date.

Special early-bird ticket pricing is now on sale. Ticket prices range from $20 to $95 and are available for purchase at www.thebloom.com


Things to know before you arrive


New for 2026, the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® has implemented a clear bag policy that will be in effect for the Chris Tomlin concert. Ticketholders are permitted one clear bag no larger than 14” x 9” or a one -gallon clear plastic storage bag. Visit https://www.thebloom.com/clear-bag-policy for a list of prohibited items, bag-types not allowed in the concert venue, and Frequently Asked Questions about the new policy. 


Parking is limited on the campus of Shenandoah University. Consider parking for FREE at Navy Federal Credit Union Winchester Operations Center located at 141 Security Drive, Winchester, VA 22602, and ride the shuttle to the ticket gate. 

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