30A Songwriters Festival – Celebrating 16 years of marvelous music

By Margaret Abrams

Visitors are flocking to 30A for the annual songwriters festival – and this year, for its 16th year, it’s a star-studded lineup. The 30A Songwriters Festival is taking place from Jan. 16 to 20. 

The 2025 lineup includes more than 250 artists, as visitors come to experience live music by the beach at more than 30 innovative venues. It’s not just any music festival. Artists come from all over and share the meaning behind their lyrics at out-of-the-box venues throughout town, telling listeners the stories behind their biggest singles. It’s an intimate, vulnerable look at some of the strongest songwriters across America, and it culminates on Saturday and Sunday when six major acts headline the outdoor amphitheater stage. 

This year, Grammy winner Melissa Etheridge is headlining. Amos Lee, The Jayhawks, Maggie Rose and Secret Sisters will also be taking the stage. 

Past festival performers include Mavis Staples, Chris and Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes, Dawes, Jenny Lewis, Jackson Browne, Brandi Carlile, Brian Wilson, Emmylou Harris, the Bangles, John Prine, Grace Potter, Jason Isbell, Steve Earle and Lucinda Williams. 

Venues across Seaside are participating, including our local indie record store Central Square Records, the Lyceum Lawn, which is the perfect place to take in the tunes outside, and the The REP Theatre. The downtown theater seats 75 people, making for the perfect intimate concert. 

Proceeds from the event benefit the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, a local agency that fosters creativity in Walton County by providing opportunities for residents and visitors to experience art and learning.