About 40 vendors are set to fill Sanibel's Community House with pottery, shell gifts and holiday décor on Nov. 14-15 as the island kicks off its festive season with the Holiday Bonanza Arts & Crafts Fair. The free event runs Saturday, Nov. 14, from noon to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with every seller stationed indoors at 2173 Periwinkle Way.
The fair marks the Community House's traditional kickoff to the holiday season, offering handmade items and baked goods, according to the Sanibel-Captiva Islander. The Sanibel Community Association describes it on its own events page as a two-day event offering unique, handmade holiday gifts for all ages, according to the Sanibel Community Association.
Shoppers can expect a wide mix of goods spread across the indoor space. Vendors plan to display pottery and ceramics, shell and beach finds, jewelry, handcrafted clothing and accessories, handmade baskets, purses and totes, glass and resin artwork, paper art and cards, ornaments, Sanibel décor and gifts, and baked goods, per the Islander's reporting. Most of the sellers come from Southwest Florida, with many living right on the islands.
Who's Running the Show
Behind the scenes, the fair is organized by Melissa Gindling, an artist who volunteers her time to put the event together and personally selects which vendors get a spot at the show, even while working full-time elsewhere. Ivy Ankerson, the Sanibel Community Association's community engagement coordinator, also has a hand in the event, per the same account from the Islander. The fair is known to draw a lot of foot traffic across the two days, organizers say.
The 2025 Fair
The 2025 fair, held Nov. 15-16, featured jewelry, ornaments, artwork and greeting cards, as the Islander reported at the time. Admission and parking were free for that event as well. The Community House had said its seasonal arts-and-crafts series would continue monthly through April.
Entry remains free this year, and organizers note that the fair tends to draw a steady crowd throughout the weekend. Anyone looking for more details on the Holiday Bonanza Arts & Crafts Fair can visit sanibelcommunityhouse.net or call 239-472-2155.
