Since 2018, locals and visitors have gathered in Corpus Christi to celebrate the craft behind the music at the Corpus Christi Songwriters Festival. Held each February, this multi day festival brings together talented songwriters from a wide range of genres for an up close look at how songs are written, shared, and brought to life. Events take place across multiple venues in Downtown Corpus Christi and include song swap showcases, workshops, panels, award ceremonies, and more, creating a relaxed, music first atmosphere that puts storytelling front and center.

 

2026 Corpus Christi Songwriters Festival  

Mark your calendars for the 2026 Corpus Christi Songwriters Festival, happening February 13–15 in Downtown Corpus Christi. The festival kicks off with an opening night showcase on Friday and runs through Sunday, bringing nearly 40 international, national, and regional songwriters together for a full weekend focused on the art of songwriting. Expect live concerts, hands on workshops, conferences, awards, and other songwriter driven events that put creativity and connection front and center in the Gulf Coast Capital.

Over the years, the festival has welcomed hundreds of songwriters, including Ben Kweller, Carrie Denniston, George Ensle, and Shayna Sands, among many others. The weekend wraps up on Sunday with an awards ceremony brunch, where songwriters are recognized across several categories, celebrating the stories, skills, and songs shared throughout the festival.

  1. Songwriter of the Year  
  2. Lyricist of the Year  
  3. Melody of the Year  
  4. Corpus Christi Songwriter’s Hall-of-Fame Honoree  
  5. Best of Fest Award 

Corpus Christi Songwriter's Festival Schedule

 
Friday, February 13
  • VIP + Festival Artists Dinner - at BBQ Man (VIP Pass Required)
  • Friday Night Showcases - at BBQ Man ( Ticket/Pass Required)
  • Late-Nite Song Circle/In the Rounds - at BBQ Man (Free)
 
Saturday, February 14
  • Workshop: Saved by a Song: The Healing Art of Songwriting w/ Mary Gauthier - at Corpus Christi International Seafarers' Center (Free)
  • Saturday Afternoon Song Swaps - at BUS (Free)
  • Saturday Night Showcases - at BUS (Ticket/Pass Required)
  • VIP + Festival Artists Brunch & Awards Event - at House of Rock (VIP Pass Required)
  • Workshop w. Terri Hendrix - at House of Rock (Free)
 
Sunday, February 15

For specific event details, visit the 2026 CCSF Schedule and Lineup.

 

2026 Artist Lineup

 
Saturday, February 14
2:00 p.m.- Alex Blacksmith & Emerald (local)
3:00 p.m.- Stefan Prigmore (Fort Worth) & John Whipple (SATX)
4:00 p.m.- George Ensle & Matthew Payne (Austin)
5:00 p.m.- Louie Mandel (local) & AJ Atiee (Rockport)
 
Sunday, February 15
2:00 p.m.- Anna La Mare & Shayna Sands (Austin)
3:00 p.m.- Clarissa Serna (local) & Amethyst Jonquille (Austin)
4:00 p.m.- Poet Hawkins (Austin) & John Dennis (Nashville)
 
With the full lineup for the 2026 Corpus Christi Songwriters Festival now announced, the official Spotify playlist is the perfect soundtrack to get to know the artists and dive into their music. Cue it up and start picking out your favorites.
 

 

Additional Corpus Christi Songwriters Events

In The Rounds  
  • When: Second Sunday of every month at Executive Surf Club.  
  • What: Gathering for new and seasoned songwriters to perform two original songs and share the inspiration behind them.   
Showcases  
  • When: Every quarter at various venues in Corpus Christi.   
  • What: Regional songwriters perform daring and unique songs, rotating between venues to spotlight the best live music venues in Corpus Christi.    
Workshops and Retreats  
  • When: Various dates throughout the year.   
  • What: Gatherings focused on the educational side of the organization’s mission that features craft, business, networking, and more. 

 

Looking for more ways to spend your time on the coast? Check out  upcoming events happening around Corpus Christi, browse our visitor guides  for local favorites and trip ideas, and sign up for the newsletter to stay up to date on what’s happening next along the water.