Sanibel Island and surrounding areas are rich with festivals, art shows, plays and other forms of entertainment. Many festivals such as Sanibel Music Festival are recognized for their high quality of music and professionalism. The arts & entertainment scene on Sanibel Island is highly prized and supported by Sanibel Island residences and visitors. Find an event right for you below:
BIG ARTS
BIG ARTS, Sanibel’s all encompassing cultural event center underwent major renovations in 2019 and is now home to a wide variety of offerings on its new 1.5-acre, state-of-the-art campus. The BIG Arts complex includes the Marks Box Office, Phillips Gallery, Founders Gallery, Schein Performance Hall for hosting concerts and performances and various rooms which are well used for workshops and classes. BIG ARTS yearly offerings feature live music and performances, exhibits by world class artists, film series, lecture series as well as workshops and classes. Each year BIG ARTS presents world-renowned music and dance, professional live theater, distinguished speakers, fine art exhibits, critically acclaimed films, and workshops taught by gifted artists. Make sure to show your Exclusive Promotions Passport when purchasing tickets because guests of the Island Inn receive a special discount!
More InformationBIG ARTS Strauss Theater
Located directly across from the Sanibel Community Center, the “Pirate Playhouse”, a larger replacement of the theatre of that name located nearby at the time, was opened in 1991 and featured 180 seats. BIG ARTS acquired the theater in 2010 and renamed it the “Herb Strauss Schoolhouse Theater.” Today the “BIG ARTS Strauss Theatre” is Sanibel’s only professional theater and presents innovative dramas, comedies, and musicals. The recent technical upgrades and show selections exemplifies the Theater’s commitment to quality entertainment. The Theater offers Broadway-caliber talent in an intimate atmosphere.
Old School House Theater
The Old School House Theater had a long history on Sanibel Island. The building was originally constructed in 1898 as one of two schools on Sanibel and was located on the corner of Bailey Road and Periwinkle Way. Later on, residents petitioned the location and had it moved to 1905 Periwinkle Way. In 1962 the schoolhouse was closed down when the Island built a larger school for residents on SanCap Road. A couple from the New York stage purchased the building, painted it pink and converted the inside to a 90-seat theater and named it the ‘Pirates’ Playhouse.’ They ran it for 18 years and created original plays where many well-known Sanibel residents were known to star in the productions. The owners built a new theater across the street from the Sanibel Community House in the late 80’s when there was a growing need for a larger theater. The sold the pink, Pirates’ Playhouse to a playwright from Captiva by the name of J.T. Smith who renamed it ‘The Old Schoolhouse Theater’. Smith kept the Old Schoolhouse Theater going until 2003 when he became ill and was no longer able to continue productions. The building was purchased by the Historical Preservation Committee and relocated to its current location at the Sanibel Historic Village. It was restored to its original state as a one-room school house. Make sure to plan a visit to the Historic Village while staying at the Island Inn to learn more about this and other historic buildings on the Islands!
Tower Gallery
Tower Gallery is an artists’ cooperative consisting of 23 artists in two-dimensional and three-dimensional mediums such as oil, acrylic, watercolor, photography, ceramic, wood, glass and metal. The gallery was founded in 1982, and moved to its present location in 1994. It is housed in a spacious original Florida Cottage, with Craftsman elements, that was originally built on the Gulf in 1915 and moved to its present site on a flatbed truck.
751 Tarpon Bay Rd.
Sanibel, FL 33957
Tel: 239-472-4557
Taste of the Islands
The Taste of the Islands event was created to raise funds for a cause near and dear to the hearts of residents and visitors who love wildlife! The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife – affectionately known as CROW – is located on Sanibel Island, Florida. This teaching hospital and visitor education center is dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care, research, education and conservation medicine.
Taste of the Islands gives access to special dining opportunities at the Island’s finest restaurants throughout the month of November. With your Taste Passport, you can sample Sanibel and Captiva Islands’ best restaurants. As you “crawl” across the islands, visit participating restaurants with (or even without) your passport. Then, turn it in to be entered into the drawing for exclusive prizes!
More InformationWines in the Wild
Wines in the Wild was created in 2008 for the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation as not only a fundraiser, but also as a fun gathering to kick off the island’s fall season. Today, the fundraiser features local restaurants who showcase menu highlights paired with specially selected wines at stations throughout the event. Guests gather for dessert and a live auction in hopes of raising money for Sanibel’s largest private landowner, managing more than 1,200 acres on Sanibel plus more than 600 additional acres on surrounding islands and with a mission to preserve and protect our islands’ amazing environment. Make sure to put this event on your calendar if you are visiting us when it takes place each year in November!
More InformationSanibel Jazz Festival
Sanibel-Captiva Optimists Club pioneered this fundraising event which features outstanding, award-winning musicians playing to a crowd of hundreds every Fall. Past festivals were a huge success and provided funding for the Optimists’ many charitable endeavors including their six college scholarships and Sanibel Recreation Center summer programs for kids.
More InformationLuminary
The Sanibel Luminary is quite the holiday scene each year on our beautiful, tropical island. Businesses line Periwinkle Way and the surrounding area with luminary bags that light up the night as residents and visitors stroll from place to place while mixing and mingling and taking in the holiday vibes.
The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce event features a fun-filled weekend of holiday cheer, live music, special deals, free refreshments, and more!
More InformationSanibel Music Festival
The Sanibel Music Festival was founded in the 1980’s by Marilyn Lauriente, musician and impresario. The Festival presents seven concerts each “Save March for Music” season, with piano, chamber music, recital and vocal ensemble. The festival also features outreach and education programs. Each concert is performed at Sanibel Congregational Church, 2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island, FL, 33957. If you are visiting us in March, don’t miss out on this opportunity!
More InformationBeer in the Bushes
Whether you’re looking for new craft beer tastings, great food, world-class music, or just a chance to catch up with fellow islanders at the end of a very busy tourist season, Beer in the Bushes is the place to be each Spring! Attendees experience new craft beer tastings, great food and superb entertainment all while helping to support SCCF’s mission of conserving coastal habitats and aquatic resources on Sanibel and Captiva and in the surrounding watershed.
This outdoor rain or shine event fundraiser features local food truck offerings to complement the beer tastings on the SCCF Nature Center grounds, located at 3333 Sanibel-Captiva Road on Sanibel.
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