Pensacola Beach Songwriters Fest returns. Get the details on this year’s expanded showcase

Music lovers, mark your calendars as the Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival returns next week for another year of unforgettable performances of Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum selling songwriters and artists, hit songwriters, and burgeoning up-and-comers.

Experience the authentic sounds of original music, brought to life by the songwriters themselves, against the stunning backdrop of Pensacola Beach, as well as venues in downtown Pensacola.

Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival.

What is the Pensacola Beach Songwriters Fest?

The Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival aims to introduce attendees to the songwriters who create the songs that inspire our daily lives. Songs create moods that can put smiles on your faces or tears in your eyes.

Many artists we hear on the radio might not be the original songwriter. The variety of songwriters is as different as the grains of sand that cover our beautiful beaches. The festival is your chance to meet the writers and hear the stories behind the songs.

Nashville recording artist and two-time Grammy winner Rebecca Lynn Howard is expected to be among the headliners at this year’s Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival.

When and where is the Pensacola Beach Songwriters Fest?

The festival has been expanded and is now two weeks long, from Sept. 30 through Oct. 12, taking place in two parts. The first week is in downtown Historic Downtown Pensacola, the second week is on Pensacola Beach.

Downtown venues include Historic Seville Square Park, Old Christ Church, The District, The Fish House, Trader Jon’s, and the Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Center, among others. Pensacola Beach venues include Bamboo Willie’s, Bounce Beach, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Flounders, Paradise Bar & Grill and the Sandshaker Lounge, among others.

How much will it cost to attend the Pensacola Beach Songwriters Fest?

Events are free, unless indicated otherwise. When there is a fee involved, prices can vary based on the venue and/or activity. Costs may range anywhere from $10 up to $75. Visit pensacolabeachsongwritersfestival.com/events-tickets for a full ticket breakdown.

What artists can I expect to perform at the Pensacola Beach Songwriters Fest?

Festival headliners include Thompson Square, Craig Campbell, Jerrod Nieman, Jamie O’Neal, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Gary Nichols and Mo Pitney.

In addition to the headliners, audiences can expect to see Daniel Johnson, Kiersi Joli, Jason Justice, Mike Kinnebrew, Megan Knight, Goldie Lahr, Angela Hacker LeBlanc, James LaBlanc, David Lee, Jessee Lee, Colleen Lloy, Brigitte London, Brice Long, Brennan Lowery, Caitlin Mae, Michael Magno, Troy Martin, Lauren Mascitti, Jim McCormick, Sadie McLayne, Seth Michael, Josh Miller, Ronny Miller, Mudbone, Wil Nance, Bernie Nelson, Mark Nesler, Trey Nichols, Mitch Oglesby, Jonathan Puzan, Jessie Ritter, Nathan Robinson, Deric Ruttan, Karli Ryan, Pete Sallis and Butch Salter.

Also scheduled to appear are Don Sampson, Wes Sheffield, Coley McCabe Shepherd, Thom Shepherd, Jeff Silvey, Donna Slater, Anthony Smith, CJ Solar, Karen Staley, Juliette Stewart, Kevin Swanson, Colby Swift, Bridgette Tatum, Payton Taylor, The Burney Sisters, The Ukeladies, Justin Touchette, Rick “Saltwater” Uzdevenes, Jerry Vandiver, Wynn Varble, Bobby Wayne Walkup, Robert Wayne Walkup, Matt Warren, Tris Weeks, Brian White, Phillip White, Matt Williams, Justin Wilson, Christian Yeager and Emma Zinck.

Lastly, artists listed to be making an appearance also include Jessy Adams, James Adkins, Allison Aldrich, Dylan Altman, Gary Baker, Nick Beibicher, Bennett Hall Band, Tyron Benoit, Dana Hunt Black, Blue Anchor Belles, Austin Bohannon, Shawn Bowling, Ronnie Bowman, Woody Bradshaw, Donna Brooks, Jim “Moose” Brown, Anne Buckle, Jason Byrd, Layla Capri, Frank Carson, Troy Castellano, Naomie Celestin, Pearl Clarkin, Rachel Clearman, Stacy Clearman, J.M. Clifford and Kensie Coppin.