For 17 years, the 30A Songwriters Festival has transformed Florida’s Scenic Highway 30A into a music lover’s paradise, drawing thousands from around the globe to experience one of America’s most distinctive and beloved live music events. Every January, beach towns from Rosemary to Miramar Beach become intimate stages for more than 125 acclaimed artists, performing over 300 shows in 30-plus venues: from candlelit listening rooms to lively rock-and-roll bars.

This year’s 17th Annual Festival, set for January 16–19, 2026, promises another unforgettable celebration of original music, storytelling, and artistic connection.

And with the newly announced headliners, the main stage is poised for magic.

The 2026 Headliners

Taking the Grand Boulevard Town Center Main Stage will be a powerhouse lineup spanning genres, decades, and generations:
Mavis Staples, Toad the Wet Sprocket, 10,000 Maniacs, I’m With Her, Nikki Lane, and Paul McDonald & The Mourning Doves. From soul and Americana to alternative rock and modern folk, each brings their own legacy of songwriting excellence.

Mavis Staples, the legendary gospel, soul, and R&B singer, returns at 86 years old with seven decades of music and activism under her belt. Her voice, now “like a steel sculpture pillowed with velvet,” remains a clarion call for love, justice, and joy.

Toad the Wet Sprocket will bring their heartfelt 90s alternative rock anthems, “Walk on the Ocean,” “All I Want,” “Good Intentions,”alongside new acoustic reimaginings.

10,000 Maniacs, marking 45 years together, will mix timeless hits with tracks from their first new album in over a decade, Dawn Chorus.

I’m With Her, the Grammy-winning supergroup of Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan, and Sara Watkins, will showcase their masterful harmonies and richly crafted folk songs.

Nikki Lane will infuse the weekend with her sharp, twangy, Nashville-meets-rock swagger, while Paul McDonald & The Mourning Doves deliver cosmic Americana with the raw passion of their acclaimed new release So Long to the Dark Side.

A Festival That Gives Back

The 30A Songwriters Festival is more than just a music weekend; it’s the largest annual fundraiser for the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA). Proceeds fuel a wide range of programs, from youth art scholarships and public art installations to the Flutterby Children’s Arts Festival, the Underwater Museum of Art, and the Beyond Bars prison songwriting project.

“Bringing neighbors, resorts, bars, and restaurants together to host music throughout our community is part of the magic,” said CAA President & CEO Jennifer Steele. “From the main stage to intimate rooms, every performance is a chance to connect.”

“We’ve always mixed heritage artists, legends, and rising stars. 2026 is no exception. It’s going to be two afternoons of thrilling live music,” Festival Co-Producer Russell Carter added.

Tickets & Experiences

Weekend passes, VIP packages with premium seating, gourmet food, and drinks, plus group transportation packages are on sale now at 30ASongwritersFestival.com.

Click here to buy your tickets now!

CAA members enjoy discounted pricing and early access, an added incentive to join and support local arts year-round.

With more artist announcements coming soon, the countdown has begun. In just a few months, the beaches of South Walton will again pulse with the sound of stories, melodies, and the unmistakable magic of live music by the Gulf.

Mark your calendar for January 16–19, 2026, because the 30A Songwriters Festival is ready to make history once again.