It’s concert season, and country music stars are hitting the road, popping up at fairs and festivals all summer. This year, a new event entered the mix, and we have Alan Jackson and the hospitality of The Palm Beaches to thank.
In case you missed it, the inaugural Alan Jackson 5 O’Clock Somewhere Festival hit West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 12 and 13, and it’s safe to say the waterside event made a serious splash. Organizers estimate more than 16,000 fans attended each day, and if you weren’t one of them, here’s what you missed.
Alan Jackson has announced his retirement from touring (his “Last Call” concert will be held in Nashville on June 27), but his legacy lives on through this fun-filled event. In a recorded message shared with fans, he explained that he spent a lot of time in the area on his Hullbilly yacht and filmed the music video for “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere” with Jimmy Buffett in nearby Jupiter.
The beachy scene and Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band attracted plenty of Parrotheads, but country music fans came out in droves for the lineup, which included top-tier headliners Ella Langley and Old Dominion. They closed out Friday and Saturday nights, respectively, with full sets, after performances by Clint Black, Dylan Scott, Rodney Atkins, and more. Ella is one of country music’s fastest-rising stars, and her appearance made the festival a destination for plenty of fans.
Joybeth Taylor
A smaller pavilion stage featured songwriters, including Joybeth Taylor, who has written several of Ella’s hits (including “Choosin’ Texas” and “weren’t for the wind”), plus songs for Lauren Alaina, Kameron Marlow, Warren Zeiders, and more.
The festival offered several ticket packages, from general admission to several VIP options. The top-of-the-line Yacht Club included an air-conditioned lounge, food and drinks, bathrooms, an elevated viewing platform, and a skip-the-line entrance. On a hot June weekend, it was well worth the splurge to avoid the crowds and lines.
The Palm Beaches offers something for everyone, and the area is worthy of exploring on a longer visit, but for the festival, it was easy to keep things walkable and avoid waiting for a rideshare (the nearby Brightline offered easy transport). We stayed at the Hotel AKA West Palm, a well-appointed property with plenty of amenities, including suites with fully equipped kitchens and laundry rooms, for longer stays. But the highlight is the lively pool deck and outdoor lounge. Not up for walking? The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle via its electric Circuit car.
We stayed close to the hotel for breakfast, with the on-site a.market on Olive and the LOÏC Bakery (famous for its raspberry-almond croissants). Also within easy walking distance, you’ll find plenty of entertainment and dining options on Clematis Street, including Batch New Southern Kitchen and Tap and the new West Palm Cowboy Club, plus ice cream shops, sushi, and more. The nearby CityPlace, which is undergoing a major expansion, offers a shopping break and more dining options. If you’re looking to get on the water, fishing options and water tours abound, plus kayaking on nearby Peanut Island is not to be missed.
Alan Jackson created a Florida destination festival inspired by one of the most iconic songs of his career, and it certainly deserves to come back for a second year in 2027.
Katie Bowlby is Digital Director at Country Living, where she covers pop culture news including country music, Yellowstone, and all things HGTV, plus gift guides and product reviews. She has been with Country Living for more than 11 years. Before that, she worked for Southern Living. The Indiana University grad also stitches up the cross-stitch pattern for every issue of the magazine.
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