Sanibel Island Sunrise Sale Passport 2026. PROVIDED

Forty-five locally owned Sanibel businesses are coming together this Labor Day weekend for one island-wide event designed around a simple idea: shop local, explore the island and have a little fun doing it.

The second annual Sanibel Island Sunrise Sale will take place Saturday, Sept. 5, beginning at 7:09 a.m. — sunrise — with participating businesses located throughout Sanibel.

The event can best be described as “Black Friday, but island style.”

But beyond the discounts, organizers say one of the most exciting parts of this year’s event has been seeing so many independent island businesses collaborate to create one experience for the community.

“This really has become something that belongs to all of the participating businesses,” said one of the organizers Audrey Stewart. “We have 45 small businesses, all with different stores, restaurants, services and personalities, working together to give people a reason to get out early, move around the island, discover places they may not normally visit and support local.”

Participating businesses include island boutiques, outfitters, children’s stores, galleries, bookstores, restaurants, wellness businesses, specialty retailers and more.

And while the Sunrise Sale continues throughout the day, there is definitely a reason to come early.

Individual businesses have created their own promotions, with deals ranging from tiered savings and discounts of up to 50%, to BOGOs, free gifts with purchase, complimentary coffee and mimosas, limited-quantity specials, food and beverage promotions and other surprises.

At Adventures in Paradise Outfitters, for example, shoppers will receive 50% off before 8:09 a.m., 40% off from 8:10-9:10 a.m., and 30% off from 9:10 a.m.-2 p.m. JRod’s will offer 20% off all day, while Florabel will feature $15 floral cups, along with Wilford & Lee Home Accents offering $20 off purchases of more than $100 from 7-10 a.m. and $10 off purchases of more than $100 after 10 a.m. And this is just a few to name!

The event isn’t limited to traditional retail either.

Shoppers who show their Sunrise Sale Passport at Wickie’s Lighthouse Restaurant will receive 10% off, giving participants a place to stop and refuel as they make their way around the island.

And in the spirit of traveling Sanibel the island way, Billy’s Bikes & Rentals is offering 20% off rentals being used for the Sunrise Sale, giving shoppers another option for getting from stop to stop without worrying about moving and parking a car throughout the morning.

Those are only a few examples, with participating businesses continuing to reveal their individual offers leading up to Sept. 5.

AN ISLAND-WIDE ADVENTURE

Shoppers can pick up an official Sanibel Island Sunrise Sale Map & Passport at participating locations and use it to make their way around the island.

The passport encourages visitors to explore businesses they may not have visited before, while also giving participants the opportunity to qualify for three Grand Prize drawings.

In keeping with the local spirit of the event, the prize packages are centered around Sanibel businesses and experiences, including stays provided by locally and family-owned island accommodations Anchor Inn & Cottages, Shalimar Beach Resort and Tarpon Tale Inn, along with prizes and experiences contributed participating businesses.

The result is a promotion designed not simply to bring customers into one store, but to encourage them to spend their morning — and hopefully their day — shopping businesses throughout Sanibel.

PAJAMAS WELCOME

Because no one should have to get completely dressed before shopping at sunrise, pajamas are encouraged. The event will include a Pajama Contest, and shoppers may find additional treats and surprises waiting for those who embrace the early-morning spirit.

Some businesses will have their strongest promotions immediately after sunrise, while others will offer specials throughout the day.

“The message we really want people to understand is that there will be some great deals all weekend, but the best ones are this particular day and you’ll want to start early,” Stewart said. “Come for sunrise if you can, but if you can’t, we still want you to come out, grab a passport, visit some businesses and make a day of Sanibel.”

The Sanibel Island Sunrise Sale was first held in 2025 and was modeled after the longstanding Sunrise Sale tradition in downtown St. Petersburg. Following the response to the inaugural Sanibel event, the collaboration has grown to more than 45 participating island businesses in 2026. The event is presented in collaboration with the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of

Commerce.

SANIBEL ISLAND SUNRISE SALE

45 participating Sanibel businesses

SanibelIslandSunriseSale.com

Visitors can follow the Sanibel Island Sunrise Sale Facebook event for the complete participating-business list, individual deal reveals, Map & Passport information and event updates.