Annapolis is turning up the volume! The Annapolis Songwriters Festival returns to Naptown Sept. 10-13, bringing four days of live music, storytelling and unforgettable performances to the heart of downtown.
With support from Rams Head, BMI, the Maryland Sports Commission, Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, AMFM (Annapolis Musicians Fund for Musicians), HD Radio, Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis, Visit Maryland and Bose, the festival transforms the city into one big waterfront jam session.
Inspired by the renowned Key West Songwriters Festival, the Annapolis event celebrates the people behind the music and gives fans a chance to hear favorite songs — and maybe discover a few new ones.
Picture yourself strolling down cobblestone streets, ducking into a cozy tavern for an intimate set, then heading outside for a big-name performance under the evening sky. Best of all, much of it happens within walking distance of City Dock.
Headliners You Won’t Want to Miss
This year’s lineup brings musicians from across the country to stages throughout Annapolis.
A few names to put on your must-see list:
- Young the Giant – This year’s main headliner brings its energetic alternative-rock sound to Annapolis. The California band, formed in 2004, is known for hits including “Cough Syrup” and “My Body.”
- Josiah and the Bonnevilles – Led by Tennessee singer-songwriter Josiah Leming, the group blends folk, Americana and roots-rock into an intimate, laid-back sound made for a songwriter festival.
- Valerie June – The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist brings a genre-bending mix of folk, bluegrass, blues, country soul, indie and pop.
- Maggie Rose – Known for powerhouse vocals and soulful live performances, Rose mixes country, rock, gospel and Americana. Her latest album, No One Gets Out Alive, showcases the wide-ranging sound that has made her a standout performer.
And that’s just the start. Part of the fun of the Annapolis Songwriters Festival is wandering into a show by someone you’ve never heard before — and walking out with a new favorite artist.
Music All Around Annapolis
The festival’s Calvert Street Stage, located near West and Northwest streets, will host some of the weekend’s biggest performances.
Other ticketed venues include Rams Head On Stage, Maryland Hall and Watermark Cruises, while free performances will take over bars, restaurants and other spaces throughout downtown.
Follow the festival’s walkable Songwriters Trail and you can make an entire day of hopping from venue to venue. Grab a drink, catch a set, wander a few blocks and do it all over again.
Comfortable shoes are highly recommended.
Tickets, VIP Experiences and a Concert on the Water
Whether you’re planning your weekend around one favorite artist or trying to squeeze in as much live music as possible, there are several ways to experience the festival.
Young the Giant takes the stage Sept. 12. Doors open at 5 p.m., with the show beginning at 6 p.m. General admission tickets start at $102.31, while VIP pit tickets start at $271.90. Get Young the Giant tickets here.
Prefer your live music with a waterfront view? Songwriters on the Severn sets sail at 7 p.m. Sept. 11 aboard a Watermark cruise. Learn more about Songwriters on the Severn.
Additional ticketed performances start at around $30, giving festival-goers plenty of options even if a full weekend pass isn’t in the plans.
Explore all Annapolis Songwriters Festival ticket options.
Festival Survival Guide
A little planning can make your weekend much easier — especially once downtown fills with music fans.
Park and ride. Parking is available at several downtown garages, including Hillman, Gott’s Court, Park Place, Knighton, Whitmore and West Garrett. From there, hop aboard the free Magenta Shuttle to get around downtown.
Download the app. Seriously. The official festival app is one of the easiest ways to keep track of schedules, artist information, venue details and live updates throughout the weekend.
Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking. A lot. Annapolis is beautiful on foot, but cobblestones and a full day of venue hopping are not especially forgiving. If you insist on heels, we admire the dedication — but maybe pack Band-Aids.
Make dinner reservations early. Downtown restaurants will be buzzing throughout the festival. Reserve a table if you have a must-visit spot, or embrace the festival spirit and follow the music into a bar or restaurant hosting a showcase.
Leave room for surprises. Don’t spend the entire weekend chasing headliners. Some of the festival’s best moments happen on smaller stages, where you can get an up-close introduction to an artist before everyone else starts talking about them.
For the complete schedule, ticket information, artist lineup and festival updates, visit the Annapolis Songwriters Festival website.
The Annapolis Songwriters Festival is more than four days of concerts. It’s a celebration of the people who write the songs, the stories behind the music and the kind of unexpected performances you’ll be talking about long after the last encore.
You might hear a song you already love straight from the person who wrote it. You might duck into a bar for one drink and discover your next favorite musician. And you’ll experience Annapolis with a soundtrack — pairing its waterfront views, historic streets and incredible food with live music around nearly every corner.
Consider your September playlist officially booked.
About Rams Head
Founded in 1989, Rams Head Group is a family-owned and operated restaurant and entertainment company. Rams Head Group operates four restaurant locations in Maryland and one in Florida. Rams Head Presents owns and operates Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis, recognized by Pollstar Magazine as one of the top clubs of its size worldwide.
Rams Head also provides programming for Maryland Hall and venues in Key West, Florida. Rams Head Presents acquired the Key West Songwriters Festival in 2021.
Learn more at ramsheadgroup.com and ramsheadpresents.com.
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