The 2026 edition of the Soar Awards will take place on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM, with a 5:00 PM pre-show at the Greenwood Oasis in Chicago. This year’s honorees include gospel greats Donnie McClurkin, Bishop Leonard Scott, Fred Hammond, Erica Campbell, and Pastor Chris Harris, recognizing their outstanding contributions to gospel music and ministry.

The evening will feature performances from an impressive lineup including John P. Kee, Le’Andria Johnson, Anthony Brown, Jason Nelson, Christina Bell, Dante Bowe, Lisa Page Brooks, Lisa Knowles and The Brown Singers, along with Sensere and more. Hosted by Jamal Roberts and Kierra Sheard-Kelly, the event will also spotlight Bobbi Lane as the 2026 Emerging Artist.

Tickets are available online, with support from Taylor Media, Nelms Music Planet LLC, and Country Financial.

On March 7th at 4:00 PM, Bates Memorial Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, will serve as the venue for “The Altar School of Worship.” Located at 620 Lampton Street, the event will be hosted by Neicy Robertson. The lineup of primary contributors include VaShawn Mitchell, Valencia Lacy, and Jovonta Patton, as well as the collective Nate Bean & 4GIVEN.

Further enriching the program is a diverse group of additional contributors, including Demond Johnson, Kevin Stewart, Isaiah Grider, Stewart Stiles, and D’Marcus Howard. Those interested in attending can look forward to a well-structured afternoon dedicated to the art and heart of worship.

The Belize Civic Center, located on Central American Boulevard in Belize City, will host this year’s Jesus Festival on Saturday, March 7th, starting at 6:00 PM local time.

International artists scheduled to appear include Sherwin Gardner, Positive, and Jordan Dollar. They will be joined by local and ministering acts Heavenlies Gospel Band, 501 Genesis, Garing Carballo, Blind Sight, Pastor Herman & Kings Park Praise Team, Pastor Frederick Gordon, Genesis Gospel Band, and Reality Youth.

Favor Ministries will host a special Youth Pastor Installation Service on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. The sacred occasion will bring together members, supporters, and well-wishers for a meaningful time of worship and leadership.

The service will feature Minister Kelontae Gavin, alongside Bishop Iris Capers and Apostle Johnnie Capers, who will guide the ceremony and mark this important milestone in ministry. The event will be held at Favor Ministries, located at 1116 Old Gilliard Road in Ridgeville, South Carolina, where the community is invited to gather in unity and celebration.

How Sweet The Sound will air nationwide in February 2026 through broadcast television syndication, reaching audiences across the United States during Black History Month. The one-hour special will highlight the lasting influence of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through gospel tradition, featuring celebrated artists and renowned choirs.

Performances include the New Direction Gospel Choir of Tennessee State University, the Virginia State University Gospel Chorale, and the Florida A&M University Gospel Choir. Hosted by Donald Lawrence, the program features J.J. Hairston, Jekalyn Carr, Jonathan McReynolds, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Ricky Dillard, and Vincent Bohanan, with a special appearance by comedian GRIFF.

Following the broadcast, How Sweet The Sound will be presented live in concert on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 7:30 PM at The Anthem in Washington, D.C.

The Downtown Disney District will host the Celebrate Gospel concert series on February 20, 21, 27, and 28, 2026. All performances will take place at the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage and are open to the public with no theme park admission required.

Attendees can experience powerful performances from Southern California acapella groups and gospel bands, as well as enjoy specialty food offerings, family crafts, and history panels focused on trailblazing Black figures in music.

The schedule features legendary headliners on Saturday nights, with Bishop Hezekiah Walker performing on February 21 and Yolanda Adams on February 28, both appearing at 7:00 PM. Friday sessions run from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, featuring groups like Sacred Groove, Singers of Soul, and the St. Mahogany Band. Saturday daytime performances occur from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM and include a variety of talented ensembles such as the Azusa Pacific University Gospel Choir, the Greater LA Cathedral Choir, and Lorenzo Johnson & Praizum.