Music & Events
The Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival is no longer just a beach event. Organizers announced the 2026 festival will run October 1-11, splitting into three distinct phases: four days of performances in Historic Downtown Pensacola, three days of community and outreach programming, and the traditional beachside weekend to close it out.
- October 1-4: Performances at venues across Historic Downtown Pensacola
- October 5-7: Community and outreach programming — schools, veterans, nonprofits and local partners
- October 8-11: The festival’s signature weekend of performances on Pensacola Beach
The lineup has grown along with the footprint. More than 150 songwriters and performers are on the 2026 roster, mixing nationally recognized hitmakers with rising and local talent.
“What makes this festival so special is the community that has grown around it. Every year, we watch friendships form, audiences connect with songwriters and incredible stories unfold through music.” — Reneda Cross Pasquale, president of PBSF, Inc. and festival coordinator
Who’s on the bill: The roster reads like a mini Nashville songwriting hall of fame.
- Anthony Smith — Music Row Songwriter of the Year, with cuts recorded by George Strait, Taylor Swift and Tim McGraw
- Thompson Square — Grammy-nominated duo behind “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not”
- Jamie O’Neal — platinum-selling artist and hitmaker for Reba McEntire and Martina McBride
- Jeffrey Steele — Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member and five-time Grammy nominee, writer of “What Hurts the Most” and “My Wish”
- Keith Burns of Trick Pony, Andy Griggs, Craig Campbell and Gary Nichols of The SteelDrivers round out a deep national contingent
The festival will also crown winners of its 2026 National Songwriting Competition during the awards programming, with a $1,000 grand prize, $150 category prizes and a featured festival performance for the winners.
If you go: Individual performance times, ticket information and the full schedule are posted at songwriterspensacolabeach.com. General festival info is at pensacolabeachsongfest.com. Schedules can shift, so check the site before you plan your night out.