Winterfest, the Gatlinburg edition, is a multi-day discipleship retreat tailored for middle and high school students (grades 6–12), particularly those from acappella Churches of Christ along with other Protestant fellowships. Running for nearly four decades, this weekend rally blends deeply rooted biblical teaching with dynamic worship, drama, music, and high-quality Christian entertainment, all geared toward reinforcing a joyful, spiritually vibrant Christian life.

Over the years, Winterfest has welcomed speakers and performers such as Bob Stromberg, One Time Blind, Paul & Nicole, Tom Tufts, The Skit Guys, Brad Montague, UnBound, and others, who use real-life stories, scripted performances, and Scripture to inspire and challenge students.

The retreat is highly structured and security-conscious: all students must be registered and wear badges to attend any sessions at the convention center; children under three may be admitted with a free lap pass, but all older participants need proper credentials.

Winterfest typically takes place over three days and includes multiple worship sessions—with acappella singing—and teaching that integrates music, drama, lectures, video, and global Christian experiences to make faith practical and meaningful to teens