The Island Hopper Songwriter Fest is set to return to the Fort Myers area from September 19-28, with Chris Young scheduled as the headliner for the closing concert at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on Fort Myers Beach. The festival will also feature country music duo LOCASH, who are slated to perform on September 22 at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village in Cape Coral.
According to event organizers, more than 60 singer-songwriters will deliver over 80 performances across four locations: Captiva Island (September 19-21), Cape Coral (September 22-23), Downtown Fort Myers (September 24-25), and Fort Myers Beach (September 26-28). While most shows are free, tickets are required for select performances including those by Young and LOCASH. Details about the lineup and ticketing can be found at IslandHopperFest.com or via the Island Hopper app. Attendees are encouraged to follow updates using #islandhopperfest on Instagram and Facebook.
In accommodation news, Shalimar Beach Resort will open on Sanibel Island on September 28 after a complete rebuild following Hurricane Ian. The new resort offers studio, one-, and two-bedroom villas and is accepting reservations for October 2025 onward. Another property, White Pelican Villas—formerly Beachview Cottages—plans to open in early 2026 with a new design that includes three buildings connected by a covered walkway.
South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island has reopened its amenities such as pools, restaurants, golf facilities, and fitness center. Villa-style accommodations are available now, with plans for a hotel underway and a new water feature expected to open in December.
Best Western Plus Beach Resort in Fort Myers Beach has completed renovations and reopened its beachfront property featuring suites, rooms with private beach access, complimentary breakfast options, heated pool facilities, watersports activities, and pet-friendly accommodations.
Jensen’s Twin Palm Resort and Marina on Captiva Island is again welcoming visitors with its historic cottages decorated in nautical themes along with boat rentals and other amenities.
Several dining establishments have resumed operations or opened anew in the region. The Bubble Room restaurant on Captiva Island is reopening July 14 after restoration work caused by hurricane damage. The Beach Bar on Fort Myers Beach has also reopened in a newly constructed building designed for storm resilience.
Cape Coral’s Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina has launched at the base of the Cape Coral Bridge with ten food trucks onsite alongside daily live music events throughout the year.
Tap 42 Craft Kitchen and Bar opened in Bell Tower offering contemporary American cuisine with live music several nights per week. On Sanibel Island, Lazy Flamingo has returned serving its original menu favorites.
Key Lime Bistro on Captiva Island has reopened serving breakfast through dinner daily accompanied by live music. Chef Melissa Donahue’s Sweet Melissa’s restaurant is back in business at a new location in south Fort Myers after closing due to hurricane damage in 2022.
Swamp Cat Brewing opened downtown inside a renovated former church building featuring twelve beers on tap from local vendors along with an indoor/outdoor bar area suitable for entertainment events.
Causeway Islands Park recently reopened its first phase of amenities following reconstruction efforts linked to rebuilding the Sanibel Causeway by FDOT after Hurricane Ian. Planned upgrades include structured parking areas, restrooms accessible beaches including ADA features, outdoor showers as well as landscaping improvements; construction of these enhancements is expected to begin later this year with completion anticipated in 2026 according to Lee County Parks & Recreation (https://www.leegov.com/parks/beaches/causeway).
“Multi-platinum BMI singer-songwriter and global entertainer Chris Young will headline the closing concert for Island Hopper Songwriter Fest on Sept. 28, at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on Fort Myers Beach.”
“Island Hopper also welcomes country music favorite and BMI singer-songwriters LOCASH. The popular duo will perform Monday, Sept. 22, at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village in Cape Coral.”
“For the full lineup and ticket information, visit IslandHopperFest.com or download the Island Hopper app.”
