Fall in Lee County brings a variety of events, new openings, and renovations across the Fort Myers area. The 11th annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest will take place September 19-28, featuring dozens of BMI songwriters performing at venues including Captiva Island, Cape Coral, downtown Fort Myers, and Fort Myers Beach. A preview party is scheduled for September 4 at Swamp Cat Brewing Co. in Fort Myers.
Several unique performances are planned during the festival. Frank Myers will perform with Cut the Chord String Quartet and Jimmy Nichols at the Captiva Civic Center on September 20. On September 21, Captiva Cruises will host a Songwriter Sunset Cruise with Ruby Amanfu and Sam Ashworth. LOCASH is set to perform in Cape Coral on September 22, while Lilly MacPhee will be featured aboard the Silver King Water Taxi on September 23. Other events include performances by Julianne Ankley and Tim McGeary at Luminary Hotel & Co., an Americana Community Music Association Showcase at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Essex County’s return to Luminary Hotel & Co., Canvas and Chords on Fort Myers Beach supporting SWFL Reefs, and Chris Young closing out the festival with a pool-party performance at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on September 28.
More than 60 singer-songwriters are expected to participate in over 80 performances throughout the festival’s ten days. The event is presented by BMI, iHeart Radio’s Cat Country 107.1, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, and Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods.
In accommodations news, Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs is undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation of its meeting and event spaces. Shalimar Beach Resort on Sanibel Island plans a soft opening on September 28 as the first completely rebuilt resort after Hurricane Ian; it was constructed with hurricane resiliency measures such as impact-resistant features and elevated buildings.
South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island has reopened its amenities including pools and restaurants; villa-style accommodations are available while hotel plans continue to develop. Best Western Plus Beach Resort in Fort Myers Beach has reopened after renovations, offering suites and pet-friendly accommodations. Jensen’s Twin Palm Resort and Marina on Captiva Island has also welcomed back visitors.
Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts purchased the former Beachview Cottages property destroyed by Hurricane Ian; it will reopen as White Pelican Villas in early 2026.
Attractions include wet walks at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve running through October 25 for ages twelve and up (with some family-focused walks), free programs at Lovers Key State Park throughout September (https://loverskey.eventbrite.com), Paradise Cove wave pool at Sun Splash Family Waterpark in Cape Coral with seven wave patterns (sunsplashwaterpark.com), and Causeway Islands Park reopening after infrastructure improvements by FDOT to enhance resilience against future storms.
Sea turtle nesting season continues through October 31 along local beaches.
The “Sanibel Wild Mile” mobile pass allows visitors access to natural attractions via digital registration (visitfortmyers.com/digital-passes/sanibel-wild-mile). Parks, Points & Perks is a free program encouraging exploration of over thirty sites throughout Lee County for prizes.
Other developments include neighborhood murals coordinated by the VCB with Fort Myers Mural Society (visitfortmyers.com/murals).
Dining updates feature several reopenings: The Bubble Room Restaurant on Captiva Island after three years of renovations; The Beach Bar on Fort Myers Beach with a storm-resilient design; Lazy Flamingo on Sanibel Island; Key Lime Bistro on Captiva Island; Sweet Melissa’s relocated from Sanibel to south Fort Myers; Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina opens in Cape Coral; Tap 42 Craft Kitchen and Bar opens in Bell Tower shopping center.
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) continues to add new air service options from airlines such as Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Porter Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Sun Country Airlines.
Upcoming festivals include Wet Walks at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve through October 25 (sloughpreserve.org/wet-walk-season-2025), Lovers Key State Park free programs throughout September (loverskey.eventbrite.com), Edison Ford Winter Estates Fall Festival October 18 (edisonfordwinterestates.org), Cape Coral Oktoberfest October 17-26 (capecoraloktoberfest.com), Sanibel Island Writers Conference in November (fgcu.edu/siwc), BIG ARTS Film Festival November 14-15 (bigarts.org/event/inaugural-fall-film-festival), American Sand Sculpting Championship November 20-24 (fmbsandsculpting.com), Holiday Nights events starting November 28 in both Cape Coral City Hall (capecoral.gov/department/parks_and_recreationhome/) and Edison Ford Winter Estates (edisonfordwinterestates.org).
“Fall arrives this month bringing subtle changes that make our area a great place to be this time of year,” said representatives from Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods. “Fall festivals and special events pop up on the calendar. Farmer’s markets return. It’s the perfect time for a fall getaway with cost-saving deals at accommodations and attractions.”
For more information about upcoming events or travel planning resources for Lee County communities including Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island/Matalacha/Boca Grande/North Fort Myers/Alva/Buckingham/Lehigh Acres/Fort Myers Beach/Fort Myers proper visit https://visitfortmyers.com or consult their new Visitor Digital Guide.
