St. Augustine Songwriters Festival

September 24–27, 2026

On three late-summer evenings, some of the nation’s greatest songwriters share the story of their biggest hits at four venues in historic St. Augustine.

FAQs

Discover the stories behind the songs at the St. Augustine Songwriters Festival, where Nashville's acclaimed songwriters take the stage for four days of free performances throughout historic downtown St. Augustine. Hear the writers behind some of country music's biggest hits perform the songs they created, share the inspiration behind the lyrics, and offer an intimate look into the songwriting process.

What is the St. Augustine Songwriters Festival?

The St. Augustine Songwriters Festival is unlike a traditional music festival. Instead of large concert productions, audiences enjoy intimate performances from the songwriters who penned many of today's biggest country hits. Between songs, they'll share the personal stories, creative collaborations, and behind-the-scenes moments that transformed an idea into a chart-topping recording.

Presented as part of the Sing Out Loud Festival, the event welcomes legendary hitmakers, rising Nashville writers, and talented local songwriters for free performances at venues throughout the Nation's oldest city.

Why You'll Love It

Visitors can:

  • Hear the stories behind hit songs performed by the people who wrote them.
  • Experience intimate "listening room" performances rarely found at larger concerts.
  • Discover tomorrow's hitmakers alongside award-winning Nashville songwriters.
  • Enjoy free performances while exploring historic downtown St. Augustine.
  • Walk between venues, restaurants, shops, and attractions throughout the Historic District.

Songs You Know. Stories You've Never Heard.

Every hit song has a story.

During each performance, the songwriters explain how their songs came to life—from the first lyric scribbled on paper to the recording studio and ultimately the radio. Hear the inspiration behind fan favorites, learn how Nashville songwriting sessions work, and discover the people responsible for songs recorded by today's biggest country artists.

It's a one-of-a-kind experience that gives music lovers a deeper appreciation for the craft of songwriting.

Festival Information

Dates

September 24–27, 2026

Admission

All performances are free to attend.

Festival Venues

Performances take place at several walkable downtown locations, including:

The intimate venues allow fans to experience live performances just a few feet from the songwriters themselves.

Explore Historic Downtown Between Sets

One of the festival's biggest advantages is its walkable setting. Between performances, explore St. Augustine's brick-lined streets, enjoy local restaurants and cafés, browse unique shops, visit historic landmarks, or relax with waterfront views before heading to your next songwriter showcase.

Because performances take place throughout downtown, visitors can easily turn the festival into a weekend getaway filled with music, history, dining, and culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the St. Augustine Songwriters Festival free?
Yes. Festival performances are free and open to the public. Seating at individual venues is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

2. What kind of music will I hear?
The festival features Nashville songwriters known for writing country hits, along with Americana and singer-songwriter performances. Many artists have written songs recorded by some of country music's biggest stars.

3. Is this part of Sing Out Loud?
Yes. The St. Augustine Songwriters Festival serves as the finale of the month-long Sing Out Loud Festival.

4. Where are the performances held?
Shows take place at multiple venues throughout historic downtown St. Augustine, making it easy to walk from one performance to the next.

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