Frank Brown Songwriters Festival Returns To The Gulf Coast For Its 42nd Year

K. Cooper • October 7, 2026

Festival runs Nov. 5–15 at venues across the Gulf Coast

Photo from the 2023 Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival

Perdido Key,Fla. — (OBA) — One of the Gulf Coast's most beloved musical traditions is in its fourth decade. The 42nd Annual Frank Brown Songwriters' Festival will bring more than 200 nationally acclaimed songwriters to the Florida-Alabama Gulf Coast. The event will feature Grammy Award winners alongside emerging artists for 11 days of live performances. It is among the country's longest-running festivals of its kind.

The festival runs from November 5 through November 15, 2026, with shows at multiple Gulf Coast venues in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, and Pensacola. Performances scheduled for November 5 through 8 will take place at various Gulf Coast locations. From November 9 through November 15, shows will be held almost exclusively at festival headquarters, Flora-Bama, in Perdido Key, Florida. Many performances are free, while select venues and shows require a cover charge or a ticket.

What sets the Frank Brown festival apart is its format. Rather than the typical concert experience, the festival features intimate songwriter rounds in which artists perform their songs and share the stories behind them. Songwriters discuss the inspiration, personal experiences, and unexpected moments that shaped their lyrics. That format fosters a deeper connection between audiences and the music they already know and love.

The festival was established in 1984 and is named in honor of Frank Brown, the beloved Flora-Bama night watchman who served the venue for 28 years. His legacy lives on through an event that has grown into a regional tradition rooted in music, community, and appreciation for the creative people behind popular songs. The festival continues to attract both longtime fans and first-time attendees each November.

Beyond the music, the Frank Brown Songwriters' Festival serves a broader mission. Through the Frank Brown Foundation for Music, proceeds, sponsorships, and donations fund scholarships and educational programs. These programs encourage creativity and enrich students' lives through music. The foundation links the festival's entertainment value to a lasting community impact.

A full lineup, schedule, participating venues, and festival updates are available at www.frankbrownsongwriters.com. The festival also offers a mobile app available on the website or in any app store.

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