Winter Jam – A Party for Jesus
The windy air was crisp and cold Saturday, January 11, 2025, as a crowd formed on the steps of the University of South Florida’s Yuengling Center. While many would prefer to stay indoors during such weather, more than 8,000 attendees of all ages braved the cold hours before this year’s Winter Jam Tour Spectacular (Winter Jam) began to secure a seat to see their favorite Christian artists perform and worship Christ at the sold-out event.
The windy air was crisp and cold Saturday, January 11, 2025, as a crowd formed on the steps of the University of South Florida’s Yuengling Center. While many would prefer to stay indoors during such weather, more than 8,000 attendees of all ages braved the cold hours before this year’s Winter Jam Tour Spectacular (Winter Jam) began to secure a seat to see their favorite Christian artists perform and worship Christ at the sold-out event.
Winter Jam is an annual Christian music tour that traditionally visits the Tampa Bay area in January. The tour showcases an acoustically diverse range of Christian music. Whether one prefers rock, rap, or country, the artists who take the stage offer something for everyone. While the music performed may be diverse in its style, it all points back to Christ and draws attendees into worship.
The 2025 lineup included artists such as Skillet, Anne Wilson, Colton Dixon, NewSong, and Micah Tyler. And, with a low price of $15 at the door, Winter Jam offers an accessible faith-based and family-friendly concert experience.
Spirit FM 90.5, radio ministry of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, held an active presence at Winter Jam by engaging with attendees at the Spirit FM tent located at the doors of the Yuengling Center. Staff distributed free station swag such as magnets, wristbands, and pencils.
Many visited the Spirit FM tent while they waited for the Yuengling Center’s main entrance to open at 5pm. “There’s hope out there, even when it feels hopeless. That’s my goal – to leave people better than they were before they entered the arena. I want to bless people... leave them with hope...lead them to Jesus,” Colton Dixon, longtime friend of the station and one of the Christian music artists performing on the Winter Jam tour enthusiastically expressed.
“It's going to be a party for Jesus – period!”
Regular listeners Sarah Mullix and her daughter Josarai DeMarco had the opportunity to put a face to the name of their favorite on-air personalities, such as Davis and Maria from The Spirit FM Morning Show and Olivia from More Music Middays, while Fernando from The Way Home made stage announcements before the show began. For Mullix and many others, the concert has become an annual tradition providing music from much-loved artists and offering families a chance to connect with Christ and each other.
“Music has a way to get through to people more than words or other things can sometimes,” her daughter shared. “It connects you in a certain way that words or actions couldn’t.”
To stay in the know on Winter Jam 2026 as well as other upcoming Christian concerts and events taking place within the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, tune into Spirit FM 90.5, visit www.myspiritfm.com for more info, and follow the station on its Facebook and Instagram pages.
Spirit FM 90.5, radio music ministry of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, is funded in part through donations to the Catholic Ministry Appeal. For more information about the Catholic Ministry Appeal and the ministries it supports, or to make a donation, visit www.dosp.org/catholicministryappeal.
