Shopapalooza Festival, one of the biggest shopping events in the Tampa Bay region, is back for its 16th rendition this Thanksgiving weekend. Taking place on Saturday and Sunday, November 28 and 29, 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, with the 350+ small businesses represented making it the nation’s biggest Small Business Saturday (and Sunday!) event. Organized by LocalShops1 Founder Ester Venouziou and supported by the City of St. Pete, the event celebrates small businesses across Tampa Bay. No tickets or RSVP are needed, but you can sign up for a chance to win one of the $500 shopping sprees or other prizes.
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In addition to the hundreds of local vendors, the festival will feature outdoor food halls, live entertainment, activities, beer and wine garden, a “Kidpreneurs” zone, pictures with Santa, princesses and the Grinch, acrobatic performances by Violet’s Aerials, and much more – 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.
And it wouldn’t be St. Pete without a showcase of the arts. In addition to shopping and eating, there will be live paintings from several local artists, including Alyssa Marie and Zulu Painter, as part of the Art Everywhere program put on by Creative Pinellas. There will also be a community mural project with PhiPhi Artland, allowing you to walk up and join the creation of a new mural. In between it all, there will be live acoustic music sets played by the water as part of the new Dockside Sessions boat stage.
Shopapalooza: The biggest local shopping event of the season
While shopping is the big draw, don’t skip the food, drink and entertainment. Four different food halls will showcase 40 local chefs, restaurants and food trucks, while the beer gardens offer refreshment along the way (with sales supporting nonprofit Jump For Kids). Plus, there’s live music all day, all weekend.
You can find the full list of food trucks and restaurants here, as well as where on the festival grounds to find them.
And when you’re ready to sit and relax, stop by the 10,000-sq-ft Glam Outdoor Lounge by VPN Studios. With plush seating and the breeze coming in off the water, it’s the perfect spot to chill.
For families, a kids zone by Sensory Studio will be available with crafts, play and learning stations, as well as photo ops with Santa. The area also includes yard games, a crafts table, food and dessert trucks, animal rescues, and vendors offering gifts for children and parents.
This year’s Kidpreneurs Zone will also be a must-visit, where you can meet amazing young entrepreneurs. From handmade goods to creative services, these kid-run businesses are full of talent, passion, and big ideas.
Additionally, attendees can enter to win a shopping spree or other prizes by registering online in advance, with two winners 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
“We’re so excited to be celebrating 16 years,” says Ester Venouziou, founder of LocalShops1 and Shopapalooza. “It’s a great opportunity to come out and support our local makers and small businesses over Thanksgiving weekend.”
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. Trolleys operate from 9:30 am – 6 pm.
For more information about the vendors and event details, visit the Shopapalooza Festival website and check the Facebook event page for regular updates. Stay updated with LocalShops1 by visiting their website. Of note for vendors, Shopapalooza is full, but applications are being accepted for 2027.
