Shopapalooza Festival, one of the largest shopping events in the Tampa Bay region, returns this Thanksgiving weekend and promises to be bigger than ever. Taking place on Saturday and Sunday, November 30 and December 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the free vendor market will be held on the waterfront at Vinoy Park (701 Bayshore Drive NE).
Kicking off on Small Business Saturday, Shopapalooza provides the perfect opportunity to support local vendors, including many impacted by recent hurricanes. Organized by LocalShops1 Founder Ester Venouziou and supported by the City of St. Pete, the event celebrates small businesses across Tampa Bay.
In addition to more than 350 local vendors, the festival will feature outdoor food halls, live entertainment, activities, food trucks, beer and wine gardens, and a glamorous seating lounge—all for free. As LocalShops1 points out, you can save your money for shopping! The event is family-friendly, open to all ages, and welcomes well-behaved, leashed pets.
Shopapalooza: The biggest local shopping event of the season
Each food hall will offer a variety of snacks, drinks, entrées, and desserts, with options for vegans and meat lovers alike.
A kids zone will be available with crafts, play and learning stations, and photo ops with Princesses, Ms. Florida, and Santa. The area also includes yard games, a crafts table, food and dessert trucks, animal rescues, and vendors offering gifts for children and parents.
While RSVP is not required, those who register in advance can win exciting prizes like personal shopping assistants and shopping sprees. Learn more and register for free here.
Additionally, attendees can enter to win a $500 shopping spree by registering on Eventbrite, with one winner selected each day of the festival. This year’s nonprofit partners are Jump for Kids and St. Pete Youth Farm. The festival is co-sponsored by the City of St. Pete.
Food halls, kid zones, and more at Vinoy Park
“Every year, Shopapalooza Festival kicks off the holiday shopping season by celebrating the incredible independent businesses that make Tampa Bay such an amazing place,” says Ester Venouziou, founder of LocalShops1 and Shopapalooza. “These past couple of years have shown how much we rely on small businesses to keep our communities thriving. This year’s Palooza is the biggest one yet, with 11.3 acres of local awesomeness and surprises waiting to be discovered.”
Parking is available at garages throughout downtown St. Pete, and free trolley rides to and from Shopapalooza will be provided from the Southcore Parking Garage, located on 2nd Street South between Central and 1st Avenues.
For more information about the vendors and event details, visit the Shopapalooza Festival website or the Facebook event page. KStay updated with LocalShops1 by visiting their website!
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