From sun-soaked beaches to barefoot dance circles under starry skies, the 30A Songwriters Festival 2026 is gearing up to set the Gulf Coast on fire with an electrifying celebration of lyrics, melody, and pure musical soul.
With dozens of stages tucked into iconic 30A beach towns, each day unfolds like a choose-your-own-adventure of live music, sunsets, and laid-back coastal vibes. Whether you’re planning to bounce between venues or settle in for acoustic sets with your toes in the sand, where you stay matters.
Make the experience effortless by booking your 30A accommodations with Sand Dollar One. Their curated collection of Highway 30A vacation rentals puts you right in the heart of the festival — close to venues, beaches, dining, and everything that makes this weekend legendary.
This is your guide to one of Florida’s must attend festivals in 2026!
About 30A Festival 2026
- January 16–19, 2026
- South Walton, Florida (Scenic Highway 30A) | Grand Boulevard Town Center, Miramar Beach
- 30+ locations along 30A
- 125+ singer-songwriters
The 30A Songwriters Festival is the flagship annual fundraiser for the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting arts education and cultural programming throughout the region. When you purchase tickets, you’re not just attending a world-class music festival—you’re directly supporting community arts initiatives.
The 2026 festival will mark the 17th annual 30A Songwriters Festival. The Grand Boulevard Town Center in Miramar Beach hosts the main outdoor stage on Saturday, January 17, and Sunday, January 18, 2026, where six headlining acts take the stage each afternoon.
Location
Photo Credit: Schager
Unlike massive arena festivals, the 30A Songwriters Festival emphasizes artistic connection between performers and audiences in settings where you can hear a pin drop between songs.
From Rosemary Beach to Miramar Beach, Scenic Highway 30A becomes a live music corridor each January. The festival takes over beach town cafés, hotel courtyards, restaurant patios, and outdoor stages, creating an atmosphere where music fills every corner of this coastal community.
- Grand Boulevard Town Center: Located in Miramar Beach, this serves as the hub for headliner shows with a large outdoor amphitheater stage, food vendors, and the primary main stage experience
- Intimate Listening Rooms: Venues include hotel lounges, restaurant patios, dedicated performance spaces, and cafés where audiences sit at tables and listen respectfully to performers just feet away
- Venue Types: Expect everything from outdoor beach stages to candlelit restaurants, hotel ballrooms to craft cocktail bars
Tickets, VIP Experiences & Festival App
Photo Credit: Monkey Business Images
Tickets and VIP experiences are sold through the official website. Weekend passes typically go on sale in the fall and historically sell out, so securing tickets early is strongly recommended.
- Weekend Passes: Standard weekend passes grant access to most performances from January 16–19, 2026, across all participating venues except private VIP areas
- VIP Packages: Premium experiences include reserved premium seating at the Grand Boulevard main stage, gourmet food and beverage service, dedicated bars and lounges, and group transportation between select venues during two afternoons of the festival weekend
- CAA Member Benefits: Members of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County typically receive early access to tickets and discounted pricing before general public sales begin
- Festival Mobile App: Download the official app before arrival to build a custom schedule, use geolocation to find nearby venues, and receive real-time updates for any schedule changes or surprise additions
Pro tip: If you’re serious about attending, consider joining the Cultural Arts Alliance before tickets go on sale. The early access window often makes the difference between securing passes and missing out.
2026 30A Festival Performances
Photo Credit: Glynnis Jones
The festival focuses on original music and storytelling across genres, including Americana, country, folk, soul, blues, and alternative rock. Heritage artists share stages with rising stars, and the emphasis remains squarely on songwriting excellence rather than flashy production.
Most shows follow intimate “writers’ round” formats where three or four artists take turns sharing songs and the stories behind them.
The 2026 edition features 125+ artists, 300+ performances, and more than 30 indoor and outdoor venues throughout South Walton. The Grand Boulevard Town Center main stage in Miramar Beach hosts the festival’s biggest acts on Saturday and Sunday. Six headline performances each afternoon bring the largest crowds of the weekend to this outdoor amphitheater setting.
This year’s headline performances feature renowned artists such as:
- Mavis Staples
- Toad the Wet Sprocket
- 10,000 Maniacs
- I’m With Her
- Nikki Lane
- Paul McDonald & The Mourning Doves.
Beyond the main stage, more than 125 nationally recognized songwriters perform over 300 shows across 30+ listening rooms and venues along Scenic Highway 30A. Exact set times for all headline performances are announced closer to the event on the official 30A Songwriters Festival website.
Getting Around
Shows happen from Rosemary Beach on the east end to Miramar Beach on the west, encouraging attendees to explore multiple communities and discover the unique character of each neighborhood.
Plan extra travel time between venues, especially during peak evening hours—festival shuttles operate between select locations when available, and rideshares supplement personal vehicles.
Tips to Plan Your Trip to 30A
Mid-January on Florida’s Emerald Coast offers a welcome break from winter weather in much of the country, but conditions can be variable. Planning ahead helps ensure you spend your time enjoying the music rather than managing logistics.
- Book accommodations early. Festival weekend sells out quickly across South Walton communities, including Dune Allen Beach, Rosemary Beach, Seaside, WaterColor, Grayton Beach, and Miramar Beach. Many repeat attendees book a year in advance.
- Plan for January weather. Expect cool mornings and evenings in the 50s–60s°F, mild afternoons in the 60s–70s°F, and the possibility of rain. Layers and weather-ready clothing are essential.
- Think through transportation. The region is served by Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) and Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS). Rental cars offer the most flexibility for moving between venues, with rideshares and festival shuttles as supplemental options.
- Expect to walk and stand frequently. Venues are spread out, and standing room between sets is common. Comfortable footwear is important.
- Pack with long days in mind. Bring layers for evening shows, rain protection, and a way to keep your phone charged for schedules and navigation.
- Allow time beyond the music. Build in space for beach walks, local dining, and exploring the distinct character of each 30A community—this is as much a destination trip as it is a music festival.
Book Your Stay for the 30A Songwriters Festival
Where you stay plays a major role in how much you’re able to enjoy the 30A Songwriters Festival. Choosing accommodations near festival venues makes it easier to move between shows, catch multiple sets in a day, and enjoy evenings without worrying about long drives, parking, or timing exits around traffic.
For a convenient and well-located stay, book with Sand Dollar One, which offers a curated selection of vacation rentals in neighborhoods near key festival venues, including Rosemary Beach, Seacrest, Seaside, WaterColor, Grayton Beach, and Miramar Beach. These areas place you close to live music, dining, and the beach—often within walking or biking distance.
See you at the 30A Songwriters Festival!
Featured Image Credit: Melinda Nagy