Winter Jam at the Bryce Jordan Center: A History of Faith and Music

The Bryce Jordan Center (BJC) at Penn State University has a rich history of hosting diverse events, from commencements to concerts. Among these, Winter Jam stands out as a significant and recurring event that has brought Christian music and community to Happy Valley. This article explores the history of Winter Jam's presence at the BJC, highlighting its impact and significance.

The Genesis of the Bryce Jordan Center

Before delving into Winter Jam, it's important to understand the BJC's origins. On January 28, 1991, Pennsylvania Governor Robert Casey announced a state program that included $16.8 million for the design and construction of an events center at Penn State. This marked the beginning of a project that would become Penn State's largest construction endeavor at the time, costing $55 million. The BJC officially opened its doors on January 6, 1996, with its first event being the winter commencement ceremony.

Bryce Jordan Center General Manager Al Karosas has been with the BJC in some capacity since May 1995, a few months before the center opened. “The great thing about my job is that it is really never the same,” he says. When it first opened, the Bryce Jordan Center featured a wide, circular concourse with concession stands, restrooms, 20 television monitors, and 34 entrances to the main arena - giving fans the ultimate entertainment value and experience.

Winter Jam: A Christian Music Phenomenon

Winter Jam is an annual American music tour featuring contemporary Christian music artists across various genres. It also includes stunt and/or comedy performances, as well as a tour speaker. Originally known as January Jam from 1995 to 2000, Winter Jam has grown into one of the largest Christian music tours in the nation.

Winter Jam exploded from a single show in 1995 to become the world’s #1 first quarter tour for four consecutive years, according to Pollstar. Throughout two decades, Winter Jam has helped provide a powerful platform for the Gospel in major arenas nationwide, consistently showcasing Christian music’s top artists.

Read also: Exploring Camus's Philosophy

Winter Jam's Unique Appeal

One of Winter Jam's distinguishing features is its accessibility. Unlike many other large-scale concerts, tickets are not required. Instead, a general admission fee is collected at the door of each arena. This approach makes the event accessible to a broader audience, fostering a welcoming environment for families and groups. During the show near the end there is an offering by the crowd. And this is the way they are able to keep it running after all these years.

Winter Jam 2017 at the Bryce Jordan Center

One notable instance of Winter Jam's presence at the BJC was in 2017. The Winter Jam 2017 Tour Spectacular showcased 10 of Christian music’s best and brightest artists. The lineup included Crowder; Britt Nicole; Tenth Avenue North; Andy Mineo; Colton Dixon; Thousand Foot Krutch; and NewSong. In addition, the Pre-Jam Party, sponsored by Israel: Land of Creation, featured OBB, Sarah Reeves and Steven Malcolm. The tour was also highlighted by a special appearance from Sadie Robertson, as well as a message from Tony Nolan.

Winter Jam 2018 at the Bryce Jordan Center

In 2018, Skillet headlined the Winter Jam tour for the third time, making it their fourth appearance to date. Other bands that appeared on the 2018 Winter Jam tour include Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Building 429, Newsong, Jordan Feliz, and comedian John Crist, among others. In January 2018, Skillet announced they would be partnering with For King & Country to present the “joy. Both have an education message. Both gave an interactive atmosphere to have fun. Jan 27, 2018 St. Feb 8, 2018 Ft. Mar 11, 2018 N. Mar 18, 2018 Ft. Worth, TX Ft.

Special Guests and Community Engagement

Winter Jam often features special guests, including artists, athletes, and speakers. In 2017, Matthew West, Lauren Daigle, Danny Gokey, Francesca Battistelli, Jordan Feliz, Otis Nixon, Chris Conley, and Mike Fisher made appearances at various tour stops. Willie & Korie Robertson and Zach Williams also joined the tour as special guests at select locations.

SEU Worship's Involvement

Southeastern University (SEU) Worship has become increasingly involved with Winter Jam. Since 2012, SEU Worship has shared their community’s love for Jesus through music. In 2024, SEU Worship was part of the PreJam Lineup at Winter Jam, and Southeastern University was the Official University Partner. The group can now be heard on all digital streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music. Their most recent album, Move of God, has amassed more than 22 million streams since its release in June 2024. Since 2020, SEU Worship has been represented by Sony Music’s Provident Label Group. Students who are members of SEU Worship learn aspects of leading worship, songwriting, and collaboration, which they can apply to their future careers. Grammy-winning artists Tiffany Hudson (Elevation Worship) and Sam Simon (Maverick City Music) are SEU Worship alumni!

The BJC: More Than Just a Sports Arena

The Bryce Jordan Center isn’t just Penn State’s sports arena; it’s the region’s go-to spot for big touring shows, major concerts, comedy, family entertainment, and those once-a-year spectacles that fill the whole place with energy. The BJC is lining up an impressive mix of events that bring something for everyone: chart-topping artists, nostalgia tours, high-flying performance groups, and full-throttle family shows.

Upcoming Events at the BJC

From now through May 2026, the calendar is packed with events worth circling on your schedule. Some of the highlights at the Bryce Jordan Center for 2026 include:

Dancing with the Stars: Live! - 2026 Tour on Feb. 4
The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour on Feb. 24
Winter Jam 2026 on March 28
Jeff Dunham “Artificial Intelligence Tour” on April 23
Journey - Final Frontier Tour 2026 on May 27
“Weird Al” Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder 2026 Tour on Oct.

Winter Jam 2026

Winter Jam 2026 promises to be another unforgettable event, featuring Chris Tomlin, Matthew West, Katy Nichole, Hulvey, Disciple, Emerson Day, NewSong, and speaker Zane Black, with a Pre-Jam Party hosted by Jeremy Rosado, Heath Brothers, and Cliff Preston.

Looking Ahead

The Bryce Jordan Center doesn’t have anything in particular planned for the venue’s 30th anniversary, but 2026 is sure to be filled with some new and exciting shows. “I think we just continue to do what we do best - provide a place where people can have fun!” Karosas says.

“When they hear the BJC, I want people to transport themselves back to whatever event was something that they hold dear to them - getting amazing seats to see Garth, walking across the commencement stage, or getting a high five from a PSU basketball player,” he says.

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