The Island Hopper Songwriter Fest has announced its headliners for the upcoming event scheduled from September 19 to 28 in the Fort Myers area. Chris Young, a multi-platinum BMI singer-songwriter, will close out the festival with a concert at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on Fort Myers Beach on September 28. Country music duo LOCASH is also set to perform on September 22 at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village.
While most of the performances during the ten-day festival are free, tickets will be required for both headline shows and select others. Over 60 singer-songwriters are expected to participate in more than 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). Information about the full lineup and ticketing can be found at IslandHopperFest.com or through the festival’s app.
Several accommodation updates have been announced in the region. Shalimar Beach Resort on Sanibel Island is set to open on September 28 as the first resort fully rebuilt after Hurricane Ian. The property offers studio, one-, and two-bedroom villas and is accepting reservations for October 2025 onward.
Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts has acquired and plans to redevelop the former Beachview Cottages site into White Pelican Villas, which will feature three buildings connected by a covered walkway and aims for an early 2026 opening.
South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island has reopened many amenities including pools, restaurants, golf, and fitness facilities. Villa-style accommodations are available now, with hotel development planned for the future. A new water feature is scheduled to open in December.
The Best Western Plus Beach Resort in Fort Myers Beach has completed renovations and reopened its beachfront property with suites, rooms, private beach access, complimentary breakfast, heated pool, watersports options, and pet-friendly policies.
Jensen’s Twin Palm Resort and Marina on Captiva Island continues welcoming guests with its historic cottages decorated in nautical themes along with marina services such as boat rentals and a fueling station.
In dining news, several local favorites have resumed operations following hurricane-related closures. The Bubble Room restaurant on Captiva Island will reopen July 14 after nearly three years of restoration work caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton. The restaurant returns with minor updates but maintains its vintage style.
The Beach Bar on Fort Myers Beach has also reopened in a new building designed for greater storm resilience after being closed almost three years due to hurricane damage.
Cape Coral’s Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina recently opened near the base of Cape Coral Bridge offering food trucks, live music daily, shaded seating areas, boat slips, fuel dock facilities, and views of Caloosahatchee River.
Tap 42 Craft Kitchen and Bar has opened in Bell Tower in Fort Myers featuring contemporary American cuisine served amid modern décor with a rooftop bar that hosts live music from Wednesday through Saturday.
On Sanibel Island, Lazy Flamingo restaurant is again serving its original menu while Key Lime Bistro on Captiva Island has reopened offering indoor/outdoor dining options accompanied by live music.
Chef Melissa Donahue’s Sweet Melissa’s restaurant—previously located on Sanibel—has reopened in south Fort Myers following closure due to hurricane damage in 2022. Swamp Cat Brewing has launched operations downtown inside a renovated former church building featuring house-brewed beers alongside food vendors and entertainment space.
Causeway Islands Park has welcomed back visitors following essential rebuilding activities by Florida Department of Transportation during reconstruction of Sanibel Causeway aimed at improving resiliency against future storms. The park’s reopening marks phase one; additional improvements including structured parking areas, restrooms compliant with ADA standards and other amenities are slated for construction beginning late next year with completion anticipated in 2026 depending on weather conditions.
“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.”