Shoppers enjoy the 2025 Sanibel Island Sunrise Sale. -COURTESY PHOTO
The Sanibel Island Sunrise Sale returns Saturday, September 5, 2026, bringing together 45 locally owned Sanibel businesses for an island-wide shopping event beginning at 7:09 a.m., exactly at sunrise, and continuing throughout the day.
Held over Labor Day weekend and presented in collaboration with the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, the second annual event is best described as “Black Friday, but island style.”
Participating boutiques, outfitters, galleries, specialty shops, restaurants and other island businesses will offer everything from tiered early-morning savings and discounts of up to 50% to BOGOs, free gifts with purchase, flash specials, complimentary mimosas and other surprises. One participating restaurant is even offering free breakfast.
While deals will be available throughout the day, organizers are encouraging shoppers to start early, as some of the biggest discounts, doorbusters and limited giveaways will be reserved for the morning hours.
“We want people to think Black Friday, but island style,” said Sunrise Sale organizer Audrey Stewart. “There will be great deals all day, but the people who set their alarms and get to Sanibel early are going to have the most fun — and, at some businesses, the biggest savings. It’s really about creating a fun reason to spend the day on the island while supporting local businesses.”
Shop, stamp & win
Kids enjoy the fun at the 2025 Sanibel Island Sunrise Sale. -COURTESY PHOTO
Shoppers can also turn their day on Sanibel into an island-wide adventure with the official Sunrise Sale Map & Passport. Passports will be available at all participating businesses. Shoppers can collect stamps as they make their way through participating locations throughout the day. After collecting 10 stamps, completed passports can be turned in at any participating business or the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce by 5 p.m. on September 5 to be entered into one of three Grand Prize drawings.
Grand prize packages will feature two-night Sanibel stays, experiences, and gift cards from all participating businesses with contributions from local businesses including Anchor Inn & Cottages, Shalimar Beach Resort, and the Tarpon Tale Inn,
Winners will be announced live on Facebook on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Pajamas encouraged
Early shoppers have another reason not to get dressed before heading out the door: this year’s Sunrise Sale includes a Pajama Contest. Visitors are encouraged to shop the island in their favorite pajamas, with participating businesses adding special treats and surprises along the way.
The combination of sunrise shopping, breakfast stops, island businesses, giveaways and restaurants makes the event more than a traditional sale. Organizers hope visitors will arrive early and make a full day of Sanibel — shopping in the morning, stopping for breakfast or lunch and enjoying the island throughout Labor Day weekend.
45 businesses, one island-wide event
The participating businesses stretch along Periwinkle Way and throughout Sanibel’s neighboring shopping centers, giving visitors the opportunity to discover longtime island favorites as well as businesses they may not have visited before.
The event includes locally owned boutiques, children’s stores, apparel shops, art galleries, bookstores, wellness businesses, outfitters, specialty retailers, restaurants and more.
The Sanibel Island Sunrise Sale was launched in 2025 and modeled after the popular Sunrise Sale tradition in downtown St. Petersburg. Following the enthusiasm surrounding its first year, the Sanibel event returns in 2026 with over 45 participating small businesses and an expanded lineup of promotions, prizes and activities.
“The best part is seeing so many different small businesses come together,” Stewart said. “Everyone creates their own special, so no two stops are exactly alike. We want people from Sanibel, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples and throughout Southwest Florida to come over the causeway, discover some new favorites and see just how much fun shopping small can be.”
Specific offers will be announced by participating businesses leading up to the event.
Shoppers enjoy the 2025 Sanibel Island Sunrise Sale. -COURTESY PHOTO
Shoppers enjoy the 2025 Sanibel Island Sunrise Sale. -COURTESY PHOTO
In The KNOW:
Sanibel Island Sunrise Sale
When: Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026
Time: 7:09 a.m. at sunrise; deals and activities continue throughout the day
Where: Participating businesses throughout Sanibel Island, including locations along Periwinkle Way and neighboring shopping areas
What: Island-wide shopping event featuring 45 small businesses, early-bird specials, discounts up to 50%, BOGOs, free gifts, food and beverage specials, a Pajama Contest, Map & Passport and three Grand Prize drawings
Admission: Free
Presented in collaboration with: Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce
For participating businesses, individual specials, maps and updates, follow the Sanibel Island Sunrise Sale Facebook event or visit SanibelSunriseSale.com