Luminary Stroll to light up islands with holiday spirit
The islands will usher in the holidays leading into the weekend with a festive two-day tradition.
Hosted by the SanCap Chamber, the 39th annual Luminary Stroll will take place on Dec. 5 from 4 to 9 p.m. along Periwinkle Way on Sanibel, followed by Dec. 6 from 4 to 9 p.m. along Captiva Drive and Andy Rosse Lane on Captiva. It will also be a final highlight of Sanibel’s 50th anniversary celebration.
“Our goal is to offer recognition to island businesses and encourage local shopping, while providing a fun-filled evening for family and friends,” chamber President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai said. “It is one of the community’s biggest and best annual events.”
A kick off will take place on Dec. 5 at 4 p.m. at the Tahitian Gardens on Sanibel. Sanibel Mayor Mike Miller and first Mayor Porter Goss will offer a few remarks as WINK News Chief Meteorologist Matt Devitt and the meteorology crew broadcast live on location.
For the festivities, candle-lined pathways will lead the way to landmarks, where attendees can enjoy activities, treats, refreshments and special discounts from businesses, organizations and entities.
The Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club and Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club will again set up and light the luminary bags. Also, Teen Challenge of Southwest Florida will volunteer by helping to clean up.
The two-day event is free and open to the public.
“The best part of Luminary is visiting as many restaurants and businesses as you can,” he said. “Every one of these spots will have family fun for everyone.”
SANIBEL
Starting at the east end at the East End Shops, Santa will make an appearance, along with treats, free hot dogs, cookies and drinks. The Magic Bus Ice Cream & Caffeine will have fun ice cream specials, hot cocoa and treats, while Tuttle’s Seahorse Shell Shop will feature live music. Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant will offer up festive drink specials and live music for attendees.
“They’ll have some fun specials, with some free food,” Lai said.
Heading west along the Luminary path, MacIntosh Books + Paper will feature treats and Home by Rachel Pierce will offer a hot chocolate bar in the Heart of the Islands plaza. Moving to The Shops at Jerry’s, attendees will find Santa, plus caroling, special photo opportunities, beverages and snacks.
“The local Boy Scouts will be handing out hot dogs,” he said.
The Sanibel Community Church will have a petting zoo, pony rides and food. In addition, the Sanibel Choir and Orchestra will perform two short programs of Handel’s “Messiah” at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Over at the Tahitian Gardens, Santa and the Grinch will arrive on a Harley at 5:30 p.m. There will also be kids’ games from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., along with cash food and drinks and door prizes. Wilford & Lee Home Accents will offer up holiday treats and specials, while Adventures in Paradise Outfitters and A Little Adventure will provide entertainment and finger foods.
“They’ll have live music as well,” Lai said of the plaza.
The Periwinkle Place Shops will feature special sales and refreshments. The Blue Giraffe Island Bar & Grill will serve up free chili, Congress Jewelers will offer punch and cookies, and Her Sports Closet will provide refreshments. Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream will have sparkling cider, frozen hot chocolate with toppings, tastes of ice cream and gelato, cookies, and more.
“A highlight will always be Pinocchio’s doing their roasted chestnuts,” he said.
Heading to the Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ, attendees will find more Luminary activities. The Sanibel Music Festival will kick off its upcoming season with a free holiday concert at 4 p.m., followed by Florida Gulf Coast University’s Bower School of Music until about 5 or 5:30 p.m.
Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church will offer up cookies, popcorn, beverages, goodie bags and glow necklaces. There will also be live music, a bounce house and Christmas carol sing-a-long.
“They’ll have snacks and beverages for the kids,” Lai said.
Back with a new energy, The Village Shops will have live music, with the individual businesses providing food and libations. Heading on over to the Islander Center, Island Time Wine will hand out refreshments to attendees, and the Sanibel Sprout will serve up desserts, along with a coffee bar.
Other Luminary activities will include: Bank of the Islands with special holiday treats, children’s gifts, shopping bags and flashlights; Captiva Curio Cottage with Christmas magic; Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille with snacks, beverages and family photos; Florida Trust Wealth Management with a Christmas pizza buffet, drinks and snacks; Rachel Pierce Gallery with drinks and hors d’oeuvres; Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation at the Puschel Preserve with refreshments; Sanibel Historical Museum and Village with its Holiday Open House and free admission from 3 to 5 p.m.; The Community House with live music, face painting, a balloon artist, shell crafts, popcorn and cash bar; The Grog Shop with refreshments and snacks; Traders with refreshments and flatbread; and VCA Sanibel Animal Hospital with tours, a pet photo booth and other activities.
CAPTIVA
Featuring the same holiday fun, treats and freebies as the first day, attendees will be guided by the luminary bags from the ‘Tween Waters Inn & Marina, on to Andy Rosse and out to South Seas.
“They’ll all have specials and live music, as well as retail store specials,” he said.
This year’s presenting sponsor is Sanibel Captiva Community Bank.
“They sponsored all of our major events this year as part of the 50th anniversary of Sanibel,” Lai said. “We want to thank them for capping off our year with Luminary.”
He also extended his appreciation to the other supporters.
“We thank all of our sponsors,” Lai said. “We couldn’t do this without them.”
The public is encouraged to come out.
“This is a great year to come out to the Luminary Stroll for two reasons,” he said. “More restaurants and retailers are open than in the past two years — and they all look better than they have.”
Lai noted that over 70% of restaurants, retailers and accommodations have reopened.
“We think this holiday season will kick off the most crucial visitor season that we’ve had,” he said.
Maps will be available at the chamber’s Visitor Center and sponsor locations.
Vehicle parking on Sanibel for attendees will be available at the Olde Sanibel Shoppes, Periwinkle Place Shops, Tahitian Gardens, The Community House and The Shops at Jerry’s.
For more information, visit https://sanibel-captiva.org/luminary/ or call 239-472-1080.
The chamber’s Visitor Center is at 1159 Causeway Blvd., Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
What
Annual Luminary Stroll
When
Dec. 5-6 from 4 to 9 p.m.
Where
Sanibel and Captiva
Details
Free and open to public