Universal Orlando has revealed the 2027 lineup for Rock the Universe, its annual Christian music festival, with Grammy-winning band Elevation Worship set to headline Friday night and rising star Katy Nichole topping the bill on Saturday. The two-day event returns to Universal Studios Florida on January 22-23, 2027, and tickets along with vacation packages go on sale September 15, 2026.
According to FOX 35 Orlando, Universal Orlando released the full concert schedule this week, confirming Elevation Worship as Friday's headliner alongside Jamie MacDonald, RAVE Jesus, Benjamin William Hastings, Strings & Heart, 1K Phew, Joseph O'Brien, Maddi Jane, and John Allan. Elevation Worship previously won the 2022 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for its joint project *Old Church Basement* with Maverick City Music, according to the Recording Academy, and the band has earned nine Grammy nominations across its career.
Saturday's lineup, per the station's report, features Katy Nichole headlining alongside Josiah Queen, Franni Cash, CAIN, Megan Woods, Gio., Peter Burton, Sam Wesley, and Torey D'Shaun. Nichole set a Billboard record in 2022 when her debut single “In Jesus Name (God of Possible)” spent 20 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart, according to Centricity Music. The single went on to become Billboard's top Christian song of 2022 and was certified Platinum by the RIAA.
A Festival Born From Theme Park Rivalry
Rock the Universe has a longer backstory than most theme park concert series. Universal Orlando launched the festival in 1998 as a direct response to Walt Disney World's Christian music event, Night of Joy, which had been running since 1983, according to TouringPlans. Disney permanently canceled Night of Joy in May 2018 after a 35-year run, according to CBN News. Rock the Universe remains a Florida theme-park Christian music event.
Universal also moved the festival's timing. In 2019, the resort permanently relocated Rock the Universe from its traditional early-September dates to late January, taking over the former Celebration of Harry Potter period, per Orlando Informer. That shift is why concertgoers now head to Universal Studios Florida in the dead of winter rather than at summer's end.
What's Included Beyond the Mainstage
Rock the Universe offers a Rock Your Weekend ticket that includes access to the full weekend of festival activities along with the theme parks, per the seed reporting. Event hours officially run from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., though ticket holders get early admission into Universal Studios Florida starting at 4 p.m., according to The Mouse For Less. Non-ticketed day guests must exit the park by 6 p.m. when wristband checks begin.
Beyond the mainstage sets, the festival includes a FanZone stage, autograph sessions with performers, a Saturday night candlelight ceremony, and a non-denominational worship service on Sunday morning, according to Inside Universal. Single-night tickets have historically started around $94.99 per person, while multi-day Rock Your Weekend park-to-park packages have sold for up to $213.99 before taxes, per Top Villas.
Youth Groups Remain the Festival's Backbone
Church youth ministries attend Rock the Universe, and Universal has built specific perks to court them. Groups ordering 10 or more tickets receive one free ticket per 10 purchased and access to youth-leader lounges, according to Inside Universal.
The 2027 festival arrives as Universal Orlando Resort continues expanding its footprint. The May 2025 opening of Epic Universe brought the resort's total theme park count to four, according to a report referencing Universal Orlando's history. With Elevation Worship's Grammy pedigree and Katy Nichole's chart-topping record now headlining the bill, Universal is once again leaning on star power for Rock the Universe heading into 2027.
