Sensational vacation moments are always at your fingertips when you make time to enjoy a getaway to Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, and the greater Southwest Florida area. Here, you’ll be treated to relaxation at its best, but you can also add exciting year-round Sanibel Island events to your itinerary when you want to get in on the local fun! The following options are just a few of the many that are available to choose from in every month when you want to boost your itinerary with festivities and celebrations of all kinds.
Before you travel this way, be sure to check out our area guide! This comprehensive resource is a wonderful place to find even more in the way of local attractions, activities, and experiences that will make your Sanibel Island getaway one-of-a-kind.
January
Some of the events to check out when you head this way at the beginning of a brand-new year include the highly anticipated ArtFest Fort Myers and the annual Cape Coral Festival of the Arts. January is a creatively inspired time of year around Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, and Fort Myers making it a great time to come and indulge in some artistic fun!
February
February is a time to run and celebrate in seasonal style with the arrival of the Edison Festival of Lights in Fort Myers. Between the 5K run, the family-friendly parade, and the VIP tent experience, there’s always a lot to look forward to enjoying.
March
If you’re traveling to Sanibel Island in March, you’ll be right on time to attend the beloved Sanibel Island Seashell Festival and Show. This popular event is world-famous and also works as an important fundraiser for the Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club. You’ll find many vendors on-site, beautiful exhibits to browse, and a celebration of seashells and local culture that’s one-of-a-kind.
April
You won’t want to leave an April trip to Sanibel Island behind without spending time enjoying the annual Sanibel Music Festival while you’re here. Great performances take to the stage and there are genres of all types celebrated across the many impressive shows on the lineup.
May
Sanibel welcomes the annual Ding Darling & Doc Ford Tarpon Tournament to town every May, much to the delight of anglers and spectators alike. It’s hosted at the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge which happens to be the very location of the first recorded tarpon caught on rod and reel.
June
The lineup of Sanibel Island events in June includes National Seashell Day here which is always celebrated locally on the first day of summer. Visitors can also check out the Captiva Island Pride Week agenda of events this time of year.
July
Sanibel Island is the place to be on Independence Day thanks to the family-friendly celebrations you’ll find here. Come and enjoy a charming local parade that runs from Bailey’s General Store on Tarpon Bay Road down Periwinkle Way towards Jerry’s Plaza. Afterward, spectators and parade participants are treated to hot dogs and snow cones provided by the local Boy Scout troop. There’s a Road Rally scavenger hunt that doubles as a fundraiser to try in the afternoon and in the evening, the festivities are topped off with an impressive fireworks display over the Causeway in San Carlos Bay.
August
Across Sanibel Island and Captiva Island alike, August 1 each year marks National Sandcastle Day! Locals and visitors alike are encouraged to get out on the shoreline and put their building skills to work in good company.
September
The Annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest comes to town in September bringing great performance and musical inspiration with it. This is typically hosted for 10 days at the end of the month and includes shows and workshops across Captiva Island, Cape Coral, and Fort Myers alike. It’s been ranked a top music fest in the U.S. so it’s definitely one you won’t want to miss.
October
The annual “Ding” Darling Days are celebrated each year either in October or April, providing travelers a chance to pair their island adventures with outdoor fun. The event is hosted at Lakes Park in Fort Myers and often includes everything from nature photography workshops and a kid’s nature hunt to birding walks, and nature sketching sessions to enjoy.
November
If you’re traveling to Sanibel Island or Captiva Island in November for Thanksgiving, you might want to consider arriving a bit early to enjoy the activities that go along with National Take a Hike Day on November 17. It’s a chance to get out and explore the beautiful nature trails across both locations and celebrate the natural beauty here that’s available to travelers in abundance.
December
The holidays across Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are always a treat. When you’re here at this time of year, don’t miss out on the annual Sanibel Luminary Festival which will have you in a festive spirit in no time.
Book an Unforgettable Trip in Style
No matter when you find yourself enjoying time on Sanibel or Captiva Island making the most of annual fun and events, be sure you have accommodations in place that infuse luxury and style into your stay too by booking your accommodations through Dream Vacation Rentals. Reach out today to learn more and to begin turning travel plans into a well-deserved reality soon!