(PENSACOLA, Flor.) - Fall marks the start of outside activities in Florida, and Pensacola offers some fun options for music lovers. There are two major songwriter festivals around Pensacola in 2026, but people often mix them up. Here are the differences between the two, and how you can plan to attend each of them.
Photo Credit: http://pensacolabeachsongwritersfestival.com/
Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival (PBSF)
When: October 1–11, 2026 (some listings also say September 29 start)
Where: Downtown Pensacola the first stretch, then Pensacola Beach the second week.
100–150+ songwriters at 20–40 venues (bars, listening rooms, beach spots)
Round-robin “in the round” shows: writers play their own hits and tell the stories
Most shows are free or a small cover; a few special events are ticketed
Official sites: pensacolabeachsongwritersfestival.com and songwriterspensacolabeach.com
Instagram: @pensacolabeach.songfest
2025 names that typically return in this circuit include hit writers like Jim “Moose” Brown, Dylan Altman, Dana Hunt Black, and locals such as Jonathan Puzan. The 2026 full lineup was still being rolled out; check the site/app close to October.
Photo Credit: frankbrownsongwriters.com
Frank Brown Songwriters Festival
When: November 5–15, 2026
Where: Flora-Bama and venues from Perdido Key / Pensacola into Lillian and Gulf Shores, AL.
About 11 days, 200+ writers historically
The older, larger Gulf Coast festival
If you only have one weekend, October 8–11 on Pensacola Beach is the core PBSF beach week. For the November trip, start at the Flora-Bama. Both festivals are tons of fun and offer a variety of unique experiences.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at tracy.g@lead4earth.org.
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