Island Hopper Songwriter Fest kicks off Friday
10-day festival brings more than 80 performances to Captiva, Cape Coral, downtown Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach, Sept. 18-27
What: The 12th Island Hopper Songwriter Fest returns Friday, Sept. 18, on Captiva Island before moving to Cape Coral and downtown Fort Myers during the week and concluding with a weekend on Fort Myers Beach through Sept. 27.
Singer-songwriters will take the stage for more than 80 performances at venues throughout the destination during the 10-day festival. Performers will share their songs and the stories behind some of music’s biggest hits.
Most performances are free. Ticketed experiences, including a sunset cruise and dinner experience, are also still available.
Who: Presented by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods), BMI, iHeartRadio’s Cat Country 107.1 and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA).
When: Sept. 18-27, 2026
Where: More than 20 venues across four communities, including Captiva Island, Sept. 18-20; Cape Coral, Sept. 21-22; downtown Fort Myers, Sept. 23-24; and Fort Myers Beach, Sept. 25-27.
For the full lineup and ticket information, download the Island Hopper app or visit islandhopperfest.com.
Why: Celebrate live music by giving fans an intimate setting to hear hit songs performed by the ones who wrote them while driving visitors to hotels, restaurants and tropical venues across Captiva, Cape Coral, downtown Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach.
Press Materials: We welcome your coverage of Island Hopper at the locations above. A media kit and downloadable images and b-roll are also available at islandhopperfest.com/press
About Island Hopper: Island Hopper Songwriter Fest is presented by BMI, iHeartRadio’s Cat Country 107.1, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods. Visit islandhopperfest.com. Follow the festival hashtag #islandhopperfest as well as Instagram and Facebook.
Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods include Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Boca Grande & Outer islands, North Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres. For more information, go to visitfortmyers.com.