A Guide to Florida Songwriters Festivals

by Melanie Lentz-Janney

Looking for the best songwriters’ festivals in Florida? You’re in the right place. We’ve rounded up the top events so you can pick the perfect one to match your vibe.

Key West Songwriters Festival crowd — Source: Key West Songwriters Festival on Facebook

These festivals aren’t just about hearing great songs—they’re about feeling them. Discover the stories behind the music as songwriters share what inspired their hits.

What sparked that lyric you can’t stop singing? What life moment brought it to life?

Get up close and personal with the creative magic at these amazing festivals across the Sunshine State.

Northwest Florida

Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival

When: October 1 – 11, 2026

Where: Historic Downtown Pensacola & Pensacola Beach

Highlights: The Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival returns with more than 150 songwriters performing across Northwest Florida.

Hear Grammy Award winners, hit songwriters, rising artists, and local favorites perform original music and share the stories behind the songs.

The festival kicks off October 1-4 at venues throughout Historic Downtown Pensacola, followed by community programming October 5-7.

The celebration moves to Pensacola Beach October 8–11 for four days of performances at beachside venues.

Many performances are free, with select ticketed events.

16th Annual Blast on the Bay Songwriters Festival – Port St. Joe

When: October 15^th through the 18^th, 2026

Where: Port St. Joe and surrounding communities along Florida’s Forgotten Coast

Highlights: The Blast on the Bay Songwriters Festival celebrates its 16th year with four days of live music featuring 40+ songwriters and performers at intimate venues throughout Port St. Joe and the surrounding area.

The 2026 lineup includes Kendell Marvel, Tim Buppert, Jason Byrd, Brian White, Jesse Rice, Karen Waldrup, Jimmy Miller, Jeff Silvey, Lauren Spring and Lee Newton, with additional artists still being announced.

One of the festival’s biggest draws is its intimate format, giving music fans an opportunity to hear songwriters perform their music and share the stories behind the songs.

Blast On The Bay Performance — Source: Blast On The Bay

Tickets: General admission is currently $35, VIP admission is $125, and Super VIP admission for two is $500.

Learn more, see the growing songwriter lineup and purchase tickets on the Blast on the Bay website.

42nd Annual Frank Brown Songwriters’ Festival – Pensacola

When: November 5^th through the 15^th, 2026

Where: 17401 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola, FL 32507

Highlights: Hear from more than 200 nationally acclaimed songwriters in venues along the Florida and Alabama Gulf Coast for 11 days.

This event attracts everyone from Grammy Award winners to new talent.

Learn more on the Flora-Bama website.

Panama City Songwriter’s Festival

When: November 6^th through the 7^th, 2026

Where: Downtown Panama City, Florida

Highlights: This is a festival filled with some incredible songwriters.

All proceeds support and fund youth music programs through The Bay Youth Music Association.

Panama City Songwriters Festival Performers — Source: Panama City’s Songwriters Festival

Come out and support The Bay Youth Music Association while enjoying two-days of incredible concerts.

Learn more on the Panama City Songwriter’s Festival website.

2027 30A Songwriters Festival – South Walton County

When: January 15 – 18, 2027

Where: Scenic Highway 30A, South Walton County

Highlights: Celebrating its 18th year, this festival features over 175 artists performing across 30 venues.

Learn more on the 30A Songwriters Festival website.

Northeast Florida

St. Augustine Songwriters Festival

When: September 24^th through 27^th, 2026

Where:

Colonial Oaks – 21 St George St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Prohibition Kitchen – 119 St George St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Tradewinds Lounge – 124 Charlotte St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
St. Augustine Distillery – 112 Riberia St, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Highlights: St. Augustine Songwriters Festival is a home away from home for music enthusiasts.

Enjoy captivating performances from hitmakers who come together to unravel untold stories and inspiration behind their music.

St Augustine Songwriters Festival Performance — Source: St. Augustine Songwriters Festival

Heartwarming anecdotes and unexpected twists are part of this treasure trove of behind-the-scenes secrets.

See a variety of performers bring their songs to life in a new way.

Learn more on the St. Augustine Songwriters Festival website.

Check out Top Things to Do in St. Augustine.

3rd Annual Fernandina Beach Songwriters Festival

When: April 9^th and 10^th, 2027

Where: Amelia Island, Florida

Highlights: With over 17 renowned songwriters, the Fernandina Beach Songwriters Festival is a must-visit. See performances in three venues in historic Fernandina Beach.

Fernandina Beach Songwriter Festival performers — Source: Fernandina Beach Songwriter Festival

Attend intimate ticketed shows at multiple local venues with additional free-to-the-public shows in the evening. This is sure to be a weekend you won’t want to miss.

Learn more on the Fernandina Songwriters Festival website.

15th Annual Roscolusa Songwriters Festival – Ponte Verda

When: Dates to be announced

Where: 232 Nocatee Center Way, Ponte Vedra, FL 32081

Highlights: Head to Ponte Verda, Florida, to see some of the best hit singers/songwriters from Nashville.

Roscolusa Songwriters Festival Concert Attendees — Source: Roscolusa Songwriters Festival

Enjoy a night of music you won’t forget on the beach.

The Roscolusa festival is focused on letting you hear hit songs and the stories behind them.

In addition to music, you’ll enjoy some of Jacksonville’s finest food trucks and vendors.

Learn more on the Roscolusa website.

Palm Coast Songwriters Festival – Palm Coast

When: 2027 Dates to be announced.

Where: Daytona State College Palm Coast Amphitheater – 3000 Palm Coast Pkwy SE, Palm Coast, FL 32137

Highlights: The Palm Coast Songwriters Festival has over 40 hit songwriters. You can purchase a single-day ticket or pick up a four-day pass to enjoy all the performances.

Musician at Palm Coast Songwriters Festival — Source: Palm Coast Songwriters Festival

You can visit a songwriter’s workshop and be a part of a Q & A with two of the songwriters.

Learn more on the Palm Coast Songwriters Festival website.

Southeast Florida

Treasure Coast Songwriters Festival – Stuart

When: 2027 Dates to be announced.

Where: Pirate’s Cove Resort and Marina – 4307 SE Bayview St, Stuart, FL 34997

Highlights: iHeartMedia’s WAVE 92.7 and BMI present the 4th Annual Treasure Coast Songwriters Festival at Pirate’s Cove Resort and Marina in Stuart.

This four-day event is free to the public. The festival includes over 40 performances from local Florida and Nashville-based BMI songwriters.

As an added bonus, they share the stories behind their hit songs.

Learn more on the Wave 92.7 website.

30th Annual Key West Songwriters Festival – Key West

When: 2027 Dates to be announced.

Where: Throughout Key West, Florida, across the island’s most iconic beaches, boats, bars, resorts, and historic theaters.

Performer with a guitar — Source: Key West Songwriters Festival

Highlights: The Key West Songwriters Festival is the largest festival of its kind in the world.

It runs for 5 days, with 50+ Shows, and 175+ performers.

The Key West Songwriters Festival is where country music’s brightest stars often get their start. Legends like Kacey Musgraves, Florida Georgia Line, Jake Owen, and Maren Morris all hit their stride here.

Now in its 29th year, this iconic festival turns Key West into a music lover’s dream. The island comes alive with live performances and storytelling by veteran songwriters and rising stars.

It’s the ultimate chance to catch the next big hit-maker while soaking in the laid-back island vibes.

In addition to the musical performances, the Key West Songwriters Festival includes special events such as workshops, meet-and-greets, and collaborative sessions, further enriching the experience for both the artists and the audience.

Learn more on the Key West Songwriters Festival Facebook Page.

Check out A Weekend Full of Fun Things to Do in Key West

Southwest Florida

11th Annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest – Four Locations

When: September 18^th through the 27^th, 2026

Where: Multiple Locations

Highlights: Island Hopper Songwriter Fest is a 10-day music festival that takes over Southwest Florida with performances by the greatest BMI singer-songwriters.